Pacific Northwest Canoeing Destinations

On Canoeing the Tidal Willapa Watershed: One plant loves the water's edge and another the dry knoll

One plant likes the bright sunshine, another the cool shade; one loves the water’s edge and another the dry knoll; one thrives best on sandy soil and another on rich loam. Each must have its needs appropriately supplied, else its perfections can never be fully revealed.
 
Day trip to the Willapa watershed Sunday, August 28, 2011. -gw
 

On the Skookumchuck Habitat Wildlife Management Area: Calmness away from the turbulent river

 
Another discovery. A wildlife area along the turbulent Skookumchuck River. Didn't know the area existed. Happened upon it on Saturday. -gw
 
A related word skookumchuck means turbulent water or rapids in a stream or river, i.e. "strong water" ("chuck" is Chinook Jargon for "water" or "stream" or "lake"). There are three placenames in British Columbia using this word, and one in Washington. Of the British Columbia skookumchucks one is a famous saltwater rapid at the mouth of Sechelt Inlet, the others at rapids on the Lillooet and Columbia Rivers, and also Skookumchuck Rapids Provincial Park on the Shuswap River, just downstream from Mabel Lake in the Monashees region. The Skookumchuck River in Washington is a robust tributary of the Chehalis River.
 
 
The long ages of infancy and childhood, through which the human race had to pass, have receded into the background. Humanity is now experiencing the commotions invariably associated with the most turbulent stage of its evolution, the stage of adolescence, when the impetuosity of youth and its vehemence reach their climax, and must gradually be superseded by the calmness, the wisdom, and the maturity that characterize the stage of manhood. 6
 

On the Zen of Canoeing: Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life

This is reposted from Baha'i Views of July 31, 2010.
You cannot apply the name ‘man’ to any being void of this faculty of meditation; without it he would be a mere animal, lower than the beasts.
Through the faculty of meditation man attains to eternal life; through it he receives the breath of the Holy Spirit—the bestowal of the Spirit is given in reflection and meditation.
The spirit of man is itself informed and strengthened during meditation; through it affairs of which man knew nothing are unfolded before his view. Through it he receives Divine inspiration, through it he receives heavenly food.
Meditation is the key for opening the doors of mysteries. In that state man abstracts himself: in that state man withdraws himself from all outside objects; in that subjective mood he is immersed in the ocean of spiritual life and can unfold the secrets of things-in-themselves. To illustrate this, think of man as endowed with two kinds of sight; when the power of insight is being used the outward power of vision does not see.
This faculty of meditation frees man from the animal nature, discerns the reality of things, puts man in touch with God.
This faculty brings forth from the invisible plane the sciences and arts. Through the meditative faculty inventions are made possible, colossal undertakings are carried out; through it governments can run smoothly. Through this faculty man enters into the very Kingdom of God.

Abdu'l-Baha from a talk given in 1913
Baha'i Reference Library

Bonita calls the plantlife that grows on a floating log a "meditation." In our canoeing we have admired a ton of these little worlds unto themselves. Mineral Lake was replete with them. So were Beaver and Little Beaver Lakes in the Okanogan. -gw

On Preacher's Slough: Named after the preacher who canoed it after getting lost

 
We've only done this paddle once. Had to use the canoe dolly down the rail-to-trail that borders the slough to a put-in point. This is tidal, so pick your times accordingly. Otherwise you'll be looking at a whole lot of mud bank. Its near Montesano. And about that story of the preacher.... You won't get lost. -gw
 

On Paddling Lake Isabella: Both a lake and a river experience all rolled into one

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Isabella Lake is a favorite destination. First of all, there's the lake. It has some modest homes on it, but much of the shore is undeveloped. You have a wetlands at the inflow and, oh, the outflow! It becomes a winding, water lily-lined river that goes surprisingly far before you have to turn around because of increased stream flow. A lake and a river experience, all rolled into one. Just off Hwy 101, outside of Shelton.

An added bonus... On its shores is an undeveloped state park that is great for roaming around.
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On Breaking a Record for Consecutive Paddles: And rain

This is reposted from a Baha'i Views entry of September 21, 2010. -gw

This is how it all started a week ago. My brother came to visit. I haven't posted since the day of his arrival and I haven't checked my email since last Friday. It has felt a little wierd, I must admit.

He has come up to canoe most years since 2001. Last year our gadding around was abbreviated; we had a reunion to go to in Canada. in 2008 he was recovering from a health problem. So this year our goal was to get back into the groove. We did seven paddles in seven days. We canoed the very day of his arrival and we canoed the day of his departure.  I think we broke our own record.

In Washington, consecutive daily-record rainfall amounts were established on September 17-18 in Olympia and Seattle, with 2-day totals reaching 2.52 ...

Several of those paddles were in Eastern Washington where it was still sunny and warm, unlike Western WA which has had four times as much rain as usual for September this year.

On Canoeing on Coffeepot Lake: Tea, instead

This appeared originally on Baha'i Views. 

Coffeepot. Nice name for a lake, huh. Well, we had coffee there, and two great canoe paddles with some exploring across the lake.

I did a wordsearch for "coffee" in the Baha'i Reference Library. There is no reference. There are, however, 28 references to tea. -gw

Muhammad-‘Alí would carefully consider every blessing that came his way. “How delicious my tea is today,” he would comment. “What perfume, what color! How lovely this meadow is, and the flowers so bright!” He used to say that everything, even air and water, had its own special fragrance. For him the days passed in indescribable delight. Even kings were not so happy as this old man, the people said. “He is completely free of the world,” they would declare. “He lives in joy.”

On Canoeing the Columbia: Off the hook

This is re-posted from Baha'i Views, originally appearing on Aug 28, 2010.

"You put up dozens of photos of one bird, but you didn't put up the photo set of our canoe paddle," my wife told me this morning. I bet her $5 that the photo set -- with her favorite videos of the whole trip -- was already up on Baha'i Views. I just checked.  I owe her $5. But then I realize that in the Baha'i Writings it says that ...

Gambling is forbidden, although nowhere in the scriptures does it specify exactly what does and does not constitute gambling. Currently, each believer is expected to make the best determination for himself.

So am I off the hook? -gw