Tenasillahe
As Uncle Bob used to say, “You don’t need a weatherman to know which way the wind blows.” And it is blowing like hell right now. We lost power at about 1:15am and it hasn’t come back on yet and the forecast is calling for more of the same.
With all that in mind, I’m thinking of changing my destination for this weekend from Sand Island to a spot a little further up the Columbia. When the south wind is blowing, like it is now, the mouth of the Columbia gets hit hard. Not to say that I couldn’t do it, but I might not really want to. Shallow water, fickle tides, strong river current and high winds are a few of the ingredients required to get your name in the paper, and not in a good way.
I’ve been eyeballing Tenasillahe Island, part of the Julia Butler Hansen Refuge not far from Skamakowa. I’ve paddled in the area before, although not extensively, and with the anemometer spinning as much as it is, this might be a good time to return. The islands in this part of the river are heavily wooded and low-lying, with interesting and complicated shorelines. I expect the river current to still be a factor and although it is farther from the ocean, tide levels are still important for circumnavigation.
About Ken Campbell
New Release
A story of sea kayaking and science on the rugged coast of Alaska. Coming – Spring 2014.
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