Summer is pretty much over for me here in the Willamette Valley.  We’ll have another month of warm, dry, weather, but I am leaving it behind for a road trip.  And when I return, I’m pretty sure the air will be nippy and the leaves will have started to turn.

I did a lot of paddling this summer.  Took pictures when I could. I was too busy to write regular entries. I’ll just post some of the most indicative shots below.

First off, Dave bought a trailer which makes loading and unloading a snap.

There were waterfalls.

Fauna

and Flora.

Dave and I have gotten a bit bored with the Willamette.  Class I all the way.  So we have spent most of our time on the various branches of the Santiam.  Yesterday’s run was the most fun of all —  the South Santiam between Sweet Home and Waterloo.

Dave says he might never do it again. He will. My criteria: nobody capsized; nobody cried; nobody drowned. Crazy fun! Pretty sure we had some Class III spots along the way. We are probably over the legal age-limit for that.

• Class II.- Moderate. Medium-quick water; rapids with regular waves; clear and open passages between rocks and ledges. Maneuvering required. Best handled by intermediates who can maneuver kayaks and read water.
• Class III.- Moderately difficult. Numerous high and irregular waves; rocks and eddies with passages clear but narrow and requiring experience to run. Visual inspection required if rapids are unknown.

Much of it was like this.  Dodging those boulders from “The Great Missoula Flood.”  (Mentioning the Great Missoula Flood makes you seem like a native of the Northwest.)

Immediately after takeout, we headed for the A & W in Sweet Home, soaking wet.

Not a bad way to end summer — root beet floats and onion rings.  I’m pretty sure all the food groups were represented.