Oregon and Washington: My Future Home (one of them at least)

With only 3 weeks left in the semester, we have already covered a significant distance. From the Feather and Trinity Rivers in northern California our traveling circus headed west for the coast where ocean waves would allow us to dust off our playboats. I found yet another slice of heaven amongst the Redwood trees at our campsite in Jebadiah State Park. For two mornings the team’s workouts consisted of a meandering trail run to one of the oldest groves of these trees on the west coast, aptly named Stout Grove. Like the gold at the end of the rainbow, suddenly your quick footsteps bring you around a bend and the undergrowth melts away to reveal 20-30 of the biggest trees I’ve ever gotten to wander beneath. I was halted by their beauty, unable to look down at the trail.

Adding to the list of firsts for the year, possibly longer than previous years already, I traveled up the epic Oregon coastline toward Florence, our next destination. Around every bend was yet another view of steep cliffs dropping into the ocean, waves crashing and the sun setting. As this passed out of view the vans weaved through the magnificent coniferous forest waiting to reveal the next jaw-dropping vista. I wished I could stop at every one and take in the view completely. Another time perhaps.

From Florence, the group split between more ocean surfing and Sweet Creek, a short stretch of slides and waterfalls easily

lapped via a riverside trail. The whole scene was glowing in every shade of green, alongside the mountain walls, hanging from every limb and branch. Every breath felt like thousands of microscopic, pristine water droplets entering my lungs and filling my body with a crisp, clean air. Although I had been taking it easy on my shoulder, I was able to get in several runs on the creek, each time remembering how much joy is felt from a single boof. Unfortunately, I also realized that my shoulder would not get any better if I were to continue testing it before completely healed.

Eugene’s River House became our next home. This building houses the city’s recreation programs, led by multiple friends as well as one of our students who lives in the area. After finally visiting a doctor and getting told to take several weeks off the water, I let go of my hopes for paddling more in Oregon and began to embrace other avenues of adventure, such as longboarding.

While students paddled in the afternoon, I rode my new longboard through the streets of Eugene, exploring the city’s markets, drum circles, playgrounds, walkways, alleyways, bums on benches, rose gardens and more. Over an excellent Americano with honey I was entertained by the styles of Eugene’s drag queen population as they prepared for a show that evening. I still wonder how they manage to walk on those high heels with such grace. Weaving through the streets toward home, I met several friendly people who kindly directed me back toward the River House, some correctly, some slightly off, all appreciated.

Now, our current campsite resides on the property of All Adventures Rafting company on the White Salmon River, Washington State. This stop will be our longest for the quarter, approximately 10 days total. If you were here, you’d understand why.

Each day we drive into the chill town of Hood River for class, crossing the broad, wind-swept Columbia River into Oregon. Almost every morning kite boarders and wind surfers dot the flat surface of the river, taking advantage of the gorge’s famous winds to catch epic air and carve out turns at high speeds. Afternoons the group heads down any one of the multiple creeks in the area; Farmlands, Green Truss, Little White Salmon to name a few. With more water and gradient, these creeks provide a generous challenge to each student, no matter their skill level. A future post will include some great shots of these runs!

Kaweah and Three Rivers

We have exploded in the Three Rivers Hideaway, a campground and RV park on the banks of the Kaweah River, just outside of the Sequoia National Park.

Home for me is now the blue North Face in the right of the photo. First contained in a Rubbermaid bin and large Watershed dry bag, I unload the pieces and assemble the cozy nook I will escape to every night and anytime I need a break from the chaos that is our traveling circus. With each new home I find myself outfitting even the tiniest space with pieces of comfort. Certain books, a cozy sleeping system, my journal. Quickly it transforms into a home, different from the last and the next but perfect for right now.

Frisbee before breakfast and we are on to our classes for the morning. A student-teacher team prepares meals every day (I'm wednesday) and by the afternoon with the sun shining bright upon our small world, we load up the boats and head into the park for a section of the Kaweah. After a heart-pumping afternoon of granite, boofs, sun and pure joy the stresses of the school day have been put into perspective. I realize I can accomplish necessary class prep, menu planning and other daily chores without excess stress, thanks to the daily reminder of the river.


Here our group awaits at the bottom of the first slide, a stout rapid for some of the crew members and an incredible way to begin a day of kayaking.

Further downstream the more experienced group members run a section known as Hospital Rock. A section full of California's classic steep, technical, canyon rapids and plenty of waterfalls. About 3/4 of the way down this run I fumbled, attempting to brace my way back upright going over a small slide. Something pinched in my shoulder, causing me to walk off the run before the final few rapids. Luckily, the river isn't going anywhere.

A weekend field trip deeper into the park and suddenly we were surrounded by giants. Snow blanketed the surface of the forest and intermixed between normal conifers trees were the towering Sequoias, bright red bark, thick trunks and incredible height. General Sherman, the tallest of these beasts, was beyond words. Somehow it didn't even seem like a tree to me, perhaps some sort of other man-made structure placed there to amaze our tiny species. Yet, it also stood with a quiet confidence that proved its living presence.


A final day in the park meant a creative trip down the river. Teachers and coaches organized a mini adventure race for the students. Broken into four teams, each member was to run to the put-in (uphill of course), tag a team-mate who would race down. Each team-member had to complete both sections of course (with a nice break in between the legs to gear-up). Students muscled head-to head on the water and pushed thier way through the hot sun up the hill. Taking photos, and running with some of the groups, I was still able to enjoy the day, despite being inured and off-water.

Here, a student drops into the final pool, crossing the finish line. This last rapid was one of the best on the run, a 3-drop sequence with seivey consequencse (water coming through rock on right).


Next stop, former student Justin Pat's house and the Yuba river!

Another example of life handing you exactly what you need: J Pat's dad happens to be a chiropractor and was able to take a look at my shoulder, apply some electric shock therapy and give me exercises. What luck? How do you say thank you for such care? Not to mention they opened their house to our insane explosion, kitchen, bathrooms, living space...where ever we go, we immediately take over. However, our departure is flawless as the group comes together (with much prodding from teachers) to clean and organize the space as to hide our catastrophic presence. Thank you Pats!