kayaking – Frisky Ripples

Years ago when I started this blog my intention was to explain my journey from being a kid raised by two parents from inner city Chicago to living in Bend, pursuing the Bendlandia experience of constant outdoor recreation. That meant that instead of growing up on mountain bikes and in kayaks I hung out at the mall and “cruised the gut” as a teen (Bend kids are SO fortunate!!) Ironically, the real change started after I got into a whole bunch of trouble as a 15-year old, rebelling against my parents, pushing my independence and having “too much fun”. Finally, my actions caught up with me and I was “grounded for life” which ended up being just a month, and the exception was that I could do anything with the family. At the time my dad hadn’t been super present, either traveling or working a ton and subsequently hunkering down after work for some much-needed quiet-time. I have to credit my dad…maybe he realized the gap in our relationship but he showed up then, and the most impactful activity we did together was a private raft trip on the McKenzie river–just the guide, my dad, a family friend and me.

It was a full day trip and it was in the forest on the river. Duh. I explain this because that was kind of foreign to me. It’s not like I’d never been to the forest or seen a river, but this was “out there” and the river was so beautiful, the rapids were really fun and then we got to swim in the river!! The experience of being on/in the river WAS entirely new to me. I had so much fun and I just wanted to do it again.

You might think I fell in love with paddling right there and then, and chose to pursue a life as a guide. Nope. Not even a little. In fact it wasn’t for another 6 years that I’d make my way onto a raft again. But the experience and feeling of joy stayed with me, and when I made the decision to leave Salem a few years later it was Bend and living that lifestyle that I was chasing (finding and working a job at the Inn of the Seventh Mountain, which offered raft trips). From there, the rest is history.

I’ve spent the last 6 months spreading my dad’s ashes at various important places and yesterday it came full circle. I wanted to honor him on Father’s Day at a place so poignant to both he and I. I paddled the McKenzie river and was able to leave a “bit of dad” there. At the takeout, I released his ashes while two butterflies flew around as if to accompany him on the next step of his journey. These butterflies (the yellow and black ones that I lovingly call “yellow-tail swallow tiger somethings”) have special meaning to me and it was an emotional moment–in a very happy way. Be free dad…swim in the river and fly with the butterflies!

Tumalo to Twin Pre-Irrigation Draw:

This year’s snowfall has really led to some great skiing AND some increased flows in the Deschutes. Last month that resulted in some flows higher than I’d seen in years. So when I got a text from my fav adventure girlfriend that a crew was headed out last minute and could I meet them…well…now?… I said “Hell ya!!” I downed my breakfast, threw my SUP on my “gear car” and met them at the put-in (shuttle already being run…big thanks for that!!). We had a couple from Eugene, two pack-rafters, some hard shell’ers and me. At 980 CFS the rocks are covered!! Stoke was high, laughs were prevalent and the rain waited just long enough for us to paddle, load up and say our good-bye’s (til later when we reconvened for a celebratory retirement dinner). Likely we have to wait until fall for this run to be in again, and early spring to (maybe) see levels as high as we enjoyed.

Lesser known Crooked River Run:

When paddlers talk about the “Crooked being in” they’re typically talking about a pretty stout section of Central Oregon’s Crooked river from Lone Pine to Crooked River Ranch, or even Ranch to Lake Billy Chinook. The Crooked River in its entirety is gorgeous, running through Smith Rock and various canyons less developed and less trafficked by people–tourists, hikers, RV’ers etc. Because this river is dam-controlled above Prineville Reservoir it is rare, with historic drought, for the dam to release. When it does, paddlers are quick to get out there for fun rapids and gorgeous scenery.

There is a run directly below the reservoir that is beeeeautiful, easily shuttled and absolutely perfect for the beginner boater and a fabulous “next step” to the aspiring whitewater paddleboarder, after the perfect FIRST-step Lower Deschutes Warm Springs to Trout Creek. It’s relatively close to Bend (under an hour), and the views don’t disappoint. Overall, it is Class 1+ with a single rapid just above the takeout called “The Rapid” which is a friskier ripple. At around 1450 CFS, this rapid is a Class 2- with a single hole the river is pushing into, that could topple a sup-er or novice kayaker. All flowing into run-out. Super friendly.

Earlier this month, a small crew of us headed to this stretch. A packrafter, an IK’er and a hard shell kayaker (recovering from a broken collarbone) and myself on a SUP. Originally we chose this day because it was supposed to be mostly sunny and about 60 degrees. Instead, it was cloudy, windy (occasionally strong gusts that challenged my forward progress) and rain, occasionally pounding. That didn’t deter us and everyone enjoyed the gorgeous views complete with kingfishers, a blue heron and a special sighting of a river otter.

This run is still in (last checked at 1280-ish). Sometimes it drops out though, so do your due diligence before you head out.

North Santiam, Mill City to Mehama:

Ok, so not “around town” Bend but I consider it my back yard having grown up in Salem and then spending 3-4 days a week in MC/Gates for years. I adore this run, and our small crew enjoyed the entire experience. Personally, I think 1600 CFS is a really fun, friendly level for the North Santiam before it drops to lower summer levels. Not pushy like winter flow and not so boney you’re worried about catching a fin. I’d spent the night with my family in Salem and met my two fellow paddlers who were driving out from Bend, at the put-in. We weren’t in a hurry which really emphasized that I love the whole experience of paddling. I was joyous throwing my SUP on my car, making sure I had my gear, driving the 30 minutes to put-in, talking story while we all outfitted and dressed.

Looking ahead, excited to get on the NF of the John Day, the MF of the Willamette, and hopefully the Trinity (a new river for me) later next month, fingers crossed. Hit me up if you have any paddling questions, comments or trip shares!