Hood River – Bonneville Dam

Waking up early, Paul met Ben and JP in Hood River who were in town for the weekend. Little White laps, debauchery, and other Hood River goodness were on their agenda. After breakfast Ben and JP headed for the Little White while Paul loaded up his cat to make his way down the Columbia to meet them at Drano Lake, the take-out for the Little White.

Hood River Bridge.

Not wanting to miss the crew at take-out, Paul paddled hard and was lucky to have a mellow downriver wind to ease the morning.

Gateway to the Little White. Drano Lake.

The Little White Salmon.

As Paul pulled into Drano Lake he wasn’t sure whether he had arrived after they had left. Soon the answer was clear.

Perfect timing. Hawthorne & JP reaching take-out.

The Columbia Experience reaches the Little White.

JP and Ben had a great run down the Little White and everyone was ready for lunch. Pulling out the Sun Catcher Solar Oven Paul had brought with him since Kennewick, they set it up and began cooking beans & rice.

Solar powered burritos with JP and Hawthorne.

After lunch was done Paul tried convincing Ben and JP that the Columbia was actually a really fun paddle and that they should join him for a day down the river. They laughed and headed for the Green Truss. Once again Paul was alone on his journey down the Columbia. Heading back across Drano Lake, Paul crossed under the highway bridge and headed west once more.

Columbia River Gorge.

Tidewater Barge Company.

Back on the Columbia Paul made great time. The slight flow through the gorge combined with a downriver wind made the Columbia River Gorge section of the Columbia one of the most enjoyable sections of the entire Columbia. Had the wind been going the other direction, it would have been by far one of the worst.

Shortly before dark Paul reached the last boat ramp before the Bonneville Dam.

Bonneville boat ramp.

Great day complete, Paul called Lana. In no time she was at the boat ramp. Together they loaded up the cat and drove back to Hood River for a film premier going on in town. Some may call it cheating, others call it getting after it, either way good times in Hood River. The next day Lana and Paul headed back to Bonneville to complete the portage.