colbysmith
Active member
Just pulled into Cathlament for the night. I’ll type more in a few hours.
10/15 - 10/29 - 2017 Snake/Columbia River C-Dory Cruise
- Thread starter Jim Gibson
- Start date
colbysmith
Active member
Enjoyed meeting Jay and Jolee before we left Camas this morning!
As Tyboo Mike posted, we are all at Cathlamet this evening. Almost didn't happen that way. The adventure continued today after we left Port of Camas. Yesterday the wind and waves. Today the Fog! And initially the plans were to stay at Kalama tonight. However, enroute, after the fog lifted, with some concerned about some more wind in the forecast for tomorrow, a decision was made to make the run all the way to Astoria. Earlier, I told the group I'd probably leave them for a bit to go up at least as far as downtown Portland on the Willamette. And then catch up at Kalama. As the fog settled in after we left Camas, and remained with us as we passed the Willamette, I passed on that idea! Plus I had volunteered to take the lead with all my electronics, so I suspect the group was happy I stuck around.
The fog was gone by noon, and we were able to pick our speed back up. It was then that most decided to make a faster run for Astoria today. Most, as since I wasn't leaving for home until Saturday morning anyway, and my rig is already at Astoria waiting for me, I decided I would stop at Cathlamet for the night and check out the digs here. Lew on CatClaw elected to join me. I figured only 20 miles left to go from there to Astoria, could the winds/waves be any worse than yesterday.... We had barely made the turn into the marina, when the other three ran into a little more fog, and decided maybe it would be more desirable to check out Cathlament as well! 
Tyboo came up to join us as well.
While traveling in the fog, my AIS came in handy for one tow, that actually contacted me to arrange for passing. I'm not sure if he was relieved when I told him we were a flotilla of 5 small boats that could go outside the channel, or more concerned about coming upon 5 small boats in the fog! Never saw him, but we were both sounding our fog horns. (The Standard Horizon GX2100 with a loud hailer is capable of doing that automatically! I was using it in the front of the flotilla, and Vega also had one, using his in the back of the flotilla.) The only other commercial traffic we had to deal with in the fog, were a number of anchored freighters at the edge of the channel. Rather interesting going along in the fog listening to fog horns off of the large ships next to us!
Finally, saw a kite surfer today; actually may have been a parasailor. Just as I turned into the Cathlamet channel, he/she was on the other bank of the Columbia.
So, easy day left tomorrow for the run to Astoria. I may well stop at the Skamokawa Vista Park to check out what's there, per Hardee's earlier post. Assuming no fog...
Already uploaded more photos to the album, but here's what I was looking at until just before noon! And that was when we were close to the shoreline, with just a little lift in the fog! Much of the morning was in visibility of less than 1000 feet! Colby
As Tyboo Mike posted, we are all at Cathlamet this evening. Almost didn't happen that way. The adventure continued today after we left Port of Camas. Yesterday the wind and waves. Today the Fog! And initially the plans were to stay at Kalama tonight. However, enroute, after the fog lifted, with some concerned about some more wind in the forecast for tomorrow, a decision was made to make the run all the way to Astoria. Earlier, I told the group I'd probably leave them for a bit to go up at least as far as downtown Portland on the Willamette. And then catch up at Kalama. As the fog settled in after we left Camas, and remained with us as we passed the Willamette, I passed on that idea! Plus I had volunteered to take the lead with all my electronics, so I suspect the group was happy I stuck around.
The fog was gone by noon, and we were able to pick our speed back up. It was then that most decided to make a faster run for Astoria today. Most, as since I wasn't leaving for home until Saturday morning anyway, and my rig is already at Astoria waiting for me, I decided I would stop at Cathlamet for the night and check out the digs here. Lew on CatClaw elected to join me. I figured only 20 miles left to go from there to Astoria, could the winds/waves be any worse than yesterday.... We had barely made the turn into the marina, when the other three ran into a little more fog, and decided maybe it would be more desirable to check out Cathlament as well! Tyboo came up to join us as well. While traveling in the fog, my AIS came in handy for one tow, that actually contacted me to arrange for passing. I'm not sure if he was relieved when I told him we were a flotilla of 5 small boats that could go outside the channel, or more concerned about coming upon 5 small boats in the fog! Never saw him, but we were both sounding our fog horns. (The Standard Horizon GX2100 with a loud hailer is capable of doing that automatically! I was using it in the front of the flotilla, and Vega also had one, using his in the back of the flotilla.) The only other commercial traffic we had to deal with in the fog, were a number of anchored freighters at the edge of the channel. Rather interesting going along in the fog listening to fog horns off of the large ships next to us!
Finally, saw a kite surfer today; actually may have been a parasailor. Just as I turned into the Cathlamet channel, he/she was on the other bank of the Columbia.
So, easy day left tomorrow for the run to Astoria. I may well stop at the Skamokawa Vista Park to check out what's there, per Hardee's earlier post. Assuming no fog...
Already uploaded more photos to the album, but here's what I was looking at until just before noon! And that was when we were close to the shoreline, with just a little lift in the fog! Much of the morning was in visibility of less than 1000 feet! Colby
Colby et al, Glad you stopped into Cathlamatstan (as it has been called here on occasion, and not sure why.) It is kind of a quaint fishing base, but I enjoyed the variety of fish boats there. It is good that you have the fog horn capability, especially this time of year in the PNW and great that you have one for each end of the flotilla. The radar and AID combo looks like it is coming in handy too. Staying to the edge of the channel helps, but as you are seeing, some pretty big ships are anchored along the sides and they show up really nice on the radar.
Tyboo probably knows the side channel route out to Astoria that might be handy if the wind comes up, to give you some more protection. As I recall, it is mostly off to the southern side of the river, and more protected and there would not be any heavy traffic in there.
Glad it is going safe. Thanks for posting and enjoy the rest of the trip.
For some reason I cannot find the photo album for this trip tonight. Sill try again tomorrow.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Tyboo probably knows the side channel route out to Astoria that might be handy if the wind comes up, to give you some more protection. As I recall, it is mostly off to the southern side of the river, and more protected and there would not be any heavy traffic in there.
Glad it is going safe. Thanks for posting and enjoy the rest of the trip.
For some reason I cannot find the photo album for this trip tonight. Sill try again tomorrow.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
AstoriaDave
New member
That avenue truly is a sweet one. Unfortunately, low tide is midday right now, on Thursday falling from a high of about 6-7 feet at 8 am to a low of about 3.5 feet at noon. I have run that a few times downbound, and at low water it is very sketchy. At high water, beautiful. That 3.5 foot figure represents a lot of holdup, and someone with recent local knowledge of the thin spots could probably do it, but a flotilla would likely end up with a couple boats stranded. :sadhardee":22ahn9yr said:
colbysmith
Active member
Another fantastic cruise planned by Pounder Jim! We made it. I’ll post more later!
Congratulations to all. What a spectacular trip. Pounder Jim, thanks for all the prep work and and for the persistence to completion, and to Colby for all the postings. I have dreamed of doing this trip for a long time, and though I wasn't there on the water I was there in spirit and it was so nice to have the frequent updates. What a trip, and you all deserve a pat on the back. Stay safe as you disperse, and hope we get to hear from each on your points of view on this trip. Would love to know those.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
colbysmith
Active member
Today was a pretty easy day. Started out with meeting for breakfast at a local pizza joint, PJ's Pizza. Tyboo had already left the dock to do some fishing, much earlier. Cat Claw and I took off as soon as we got back to the boats to go check out the Skamokawa Village. Tyboo was actually waiting for us at the main channel, so the three of us pulled into the shallow channel leading into Skamokawa. To be honest, while scenic, we really didn't see much of the park from our view, nor did there appear to be any public docks to tie to. So we turned back out and the others caught up with us. Passed one tow moving along at 10 mph up stream, and several more anchored freighters. No fog. No Rain. No Wind. Just pretty much a quick 20 mile jaunt to Astoria. Tyboo took some pictures of us along the way. Arrived at the West Basin around noon, and waited for the marina office to come back from lunch at 1, before checking it. Tyboo felt it would be calm enough for me to make the run out to Buoy 10, so he, Lew (Cat Claw) and Bob (Vega) climbed on to my boat and off we went. Nothing too bad, maybe some gentle 3-4' rollers. Did have a little more chop coming back, slowing us down to about 10 kts.
Plans now are for some sight seeing for all of us tomorrow. Specifically for me I want to see the Maritime Museum! Then those returning to Lewiston to retrieve their rigs will rent a car and head off first thing Saturday morning. I'll pull my boat out tomorrow (I prepositioned my truck and trailer down here), and then also head out first thing Saturday morning, first dropping Bob off at PDX, then on towards home.
Photos from today already uploaded. Colby
Plans now are for some sight seeing for all of us tomorrow. Specifically for me I want to see the Maritime Museum! Then those returning to Lewiston to retrieve their rigs will rent a car and head off first thing Saturday morning. I'll pull my boat out tomorrow (I prepositioned my truck and trailer down here), and then also head out first thing Saturday morning, first dropping Bob off at PDX, then on towards home.
Photos from today already uploaded. Colby
colbysmith
Active member
In regards to Hardee's question, personal thoughts. For me, this was a long drive before even getting to the River Run, as I called it. 1600 miles to Hell's Gate, 440 miles to get my rig to Astoria area, now 2000 miles home. But I love traveling with my little boat. Wish my wife could have come also, but she's still working, and this just didn't excite her that much. In fact, she would not have been happy at all with the windy day we had with 3-5' chop! To be honest, as we got going the first few days, while enjoying myself, I was questioning was it really worth driving so far for a cruise down a river. I've locked before, but these locks impressed me more with the level and speed of the drop! But with the more challenging days in the waves and then the fog, and then the neat marina at Cathlamet, and finally the chance to go out to Buoy 10, YES, It was worth the drive out for me. Also, while I knew several of the other Brats from the Delta Cruise, I had the opportunity to meet Lew off of Cat Claw, and Bob, Bernie's (Vega) old college roommate, who is from Prescott, AZ, which is an old fun stomping ground of mine. Also got to meet Floyd's (Far C) better half, Eiko. And of course Tyboo Mike! So, new friends with similar interests in boating! C-Brats are just good folk to meet and be around! And regarding Buoy 10. That capped the trip off for me. While it may not technically be the Columbia Bar, it is pretty much the end of the River. I came this far, and like the Golden Gate Bridge during the California Delta cruise, something I felt obligated to do, once some of you mentioned it. There was also another special situation that made it that much more meaningful to me. I had a small bag of some of my late wife's ashes to spread. She loved the ocean, and will now always be a part of the Pacific. (I forgot to bring them along on the Delta cruise.)
As for the timing, the foliage was beautiful. I have a heater in the boat. I think twice the time and staying in marinas like Cathlemet would be more my style. There were some islands that would have been interesting to explore and anchor among. Most the folks along preferred eating out. I prefer eating in. Because of this, I missed some of the socializing with the others. If it was warmer, gathering on the dock each evening would be enjoyed. However, several of us did enjoy short visits on others boats a few times.
I think and thank Jim for doing a wonderful job planning this cruise out. Everyone was willing to help with various tasks, and that gives each of us a stake in the outcome.
I'd love to see everyone come out to the Midwest gatherings on the Mississippi, and the Florida gatherings on the St. John's River. Much more laid back, with most the cruising done after the main event with smaller groups. Food is more pot luck style, and there is no hurry to get anywhere. :wink: I enjoy both styles of gatherings/cruises.
Colby
As for the timing, the foliage was beautiful. I have a heater in the boat. I think twice the time and staying in marinas like Cathlemet would be more my style. There were some islands that would have been interesting to explore and anchor among. Most the folks along preferred eating out. I prefer eating in. Because of this, I missed some of the socializing with the others. If it was warmer, gathering on the dock each evening would be enjoyed. However, several of us did enjoy short visits on others boats a few times.
I think and thank Jim for doing a wonderful job planning this cruise out. Everyone was willing to help with various tasks, and that gives each of us a stake in the outcome.
I'd love to see everyone come out to the Midwest gatherings on the Mississippi, and the Florida gatherings on the St. John's River. Much more laid back, with most the cruising done after the main event with smaller groups. Food is more pot luck style, and there is no hurry to get anywhere. :wink: I enjoy both styles of gatherings/cruises.
Colby
colbysmith
Active member
Oh yes, almost forgot. Silly as it may seem, my biggest concern for coming out here this late in the season, other than weather on the drive, was weather when I returned back home. Need a few days to clean up and winterize the boat! Fortunately it looks like that is forecast to work out too with temps in the 40’s and 50’s!
What a grand adventure! Thank you so much for your great job in documenting in both words and pictures this wonderful cruise. You truly epitomize the meaning of "trailer boater" as you've trailered to nearly every corner of this country the past few years and I applaud you for your adventuresome spirit.
I applaud also Jim for the planning and initiation of this adventure and of course the rest of the boats and crews who helped in making this such a successful quest. Thank you so much for vicariously taking us along with you!
Peter
C-Dancer
I applaud also Jim for the planning and initiation of this adventure and of course the rest of the boats and crews who helped in making this such a successful quest. Thank you so much for vicariously taking us along with you!
Peter
C-Dancer
PaulNBriannaLynn
New member
Its been a lot of fun following along and envisioning our boat as part of the group. I wish we would have made it, probably would have if we hadn't moved so far east. I have lots of memories from the Snake and Columbia, it really is great underrated boating. Thanks for all the posts and sharing the adventure with us!
colbysmith
Active member
I’ll upload photos later but just a brief update for today. Just had a wonderful tour of the great Maritime Museum here in Astoria. The breakfast bunch ran into one of the past museum Executive Directors who was the one to give us a personalized tour! Could have spent even longer there but time for me to get my boat pulled out! Colby
colbysmith
Active member
So as I was just leaving the West Basin Marina, a call came over 16 from the Coast Guard cancelling a request for help with a boat on the rocks outside the Hammond Marina as the CG had already responded. That was where I was headed for to pull my boat out. As I turned in to the marina, I saw the USCG flashing blue light at the end of the ramp dock. As I got closer, I saw the bow of a boat sticking out of the water already tied up at that ramp dock. Not sure how fast of a leak they had, but the folks that I assumed came off the boat looked dry. I suspect the USCG got there in time to pull the boat in, but must have been a leak somewhere. Looked like the standard family boat with a windshield and soft top. But only the bow and top of the windshield were out of the water. Tyboo had just warned those of us going out to Buoy 10 yesterday, to stay in the channel. It was rather windy out today, so perhaps this unfortunate couple had engine problems coming in, or managed to get on the rocks some how....Other than a great Museum tour, that was the excitement for the day. A few more photos to upload, and I'll call it the end of the River Run! Colby
A few more photos to upload, and I'll call it the end of the River Run! Colby
Lois and I walked down the dock to see the group but all but Lew were out to dinner. We had a nice visit with Lew and then went to the four nearest restaurants looking for the group with two more walks up and down the dock in between and finally gave up. Sorry we didn't get to see you all tonight.
Lew has my phone number if you need anything between now and driving off with your boats on Monday. Don't hesitate to call. At the very least I can pick you all up at the east end ramp after you stage your trailers and take you back to your boats.
I am glad you got such nice weather for your two days on the north Oregon coast.
Lew has my phone number if you need anything between now and driving off with your boats on Monday. Don't hesitate to call. At the very least I can pick you all up at the east end ramp after you stage your trailers and take you back to your boats.
I am glad you got such nice weather for your two days on the north Oregon coast.
I just talked to my sister in Portland, OR. The winds in the Gorge, (Troutdale up to Cascade Locks), were in the 35 to 40 bracket today. Sure glad you all are well past that and all safe on the finish line.
Thanks to all for keeping it interesting and letting us follow along.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon
Thanks to all for keeping it interesting and letting us follow along.
Harvey
SleepyC :moon