River Trip- Day 1 Heading Out

When things begin to go bad as soonas you hit the water, you begin to wonder if you should finally just give up on river camping altogether. Do we really need to "one up" the last two years?

After all, if the boat doesn't start at the dock because of a dead battery, no big deal. If the boat doesn't start once you're on the island, it a BIG deal. Chris was confident. I was a bit more skeptical. He was right. I was wrong. Ten minutes was all it needed.

The sky was a brillant blue dotted with small puffy cloulds. the beach was huge and flat (a nice bonus for setting up camp). But the best part was the water. On the back side of Walker Island, the water was as smooth as glass. And that never happens on the Columbia River.

So when the opportunity presented itself, I took it. I went skiing for the first time in about ten years. Thankfully, skiing is like riding a bike, you don't forget.

We spent the whole afternoon (after camp was set up) swimming, playing in the sand, tubing, jumping off the bow of the boat, and skiing. All this was even more fun because the youth group came for the afternoon/evening for their August youth outing! Next year they need to spend the whole day.

setting up camp

the facilities

our camp on Walker Island

playing in the water

Will the sea monster

Edwin tries skiing (this idea didn't work for him)

burying JD in the sand

chicken fights

JD isn't sure what he thinks of chicken fights

Aaron tubing

building a fire

So despite the mosquitos in the evening, the severe lack of seasoned firewood, and the fact that we completely lost track of time and didn't eat until 8:35 (the dark should have been a hint that it was getting late), it was a perfect day on the river!