#14 - Willamette River - Buena Vista

 

 We were thinking this might be our last float of the season, and we didn't plan ahead, so we went to a place we knew we liked. We put in at Buena Vista, and pedaled upriver. I was hoping to get past the Luckamiute, and see where the Santiam joins the Willamette. This is very close, literally around the corner. 

Right before we got to the confluence of the Luckamiute, Leanna pulled over to the bank to take off her long sleeves. There, she found a yellow croc (on front of kayak) that must have floated downriver. It was in decent shape, so we decided to post a picture later on Facebook Flatwater Paddling group to see if anyone recognized it.





The paddle upstream was not very difficult. It seems much easier along the sides near the bank. We did attempt to get past the Santiam current over to the Willamette. I was hoping to see where the campground was on the bend near this confluence. However, the current was swift enough to discourage us, so we ended up just turning around and floating back.




The weather was mild, low 60s, warm enough to wear a t-shirt, no wind. Far enough from roads to have almost complete quiet, except for water and birds. A wonderfully peaceful float back to the boat ramp. 

As for the croc? Very quickly after posting, the owner contacted us. Apparently the croc had been lost 12 weeks prior, but they had kept the faith, and did come to pick it up that night. 



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