Leaving New York: A SUNDAY ON TWO GREAT RIVERS

Rod & Trish

Travis

Joel

Jason and David

My friends Rod, Travis, Jason and Joel invited Beau and me for a Sunday afternoon boat ride excursion with mutual friends, Trish and her husband David. I didn't know what to expect or where the ride would take place. I knew it had to be either the Willamette or the Columbia Rivers that bisect and flank Portland. Sunday arrived, the second brilliantly sun-shiney day after a long spell of more than 20 days of rain. Rod picked Beau and me up at the house, and we were off to collect Trish and David before meeting the other guys at the slip where they moor their adorable and sporty red and white speed boat.

We were on a gorgeous day with some wind and choppy water. I had not been on either river before. The Columbia, where we took off, is a huge, wide and almost ocean-like river--mighty indeed. And then we turned into the Willamette which cuts through Portland separating the east and west sides of the city, and proceeded to cruise under the ten bridges that connect the two sides. I got pictures of most of them. Though the boys were pouring cocktails and in my case, mojitos, to enhance the experience.

Some of Portland's Bridges

Beau

We had a perfect lunch of Rod's homemade hummus with red peppers, kalamata olives, cucumber, red pepper strips, red onion, feta cheese--all piled on whole wheat pitas. As usual, Beau proved to be an excellent water-worthy dog, having experience on another speed boat and a giant ferry.

In all this first weekend of pure sun in Portland was an ideal prelude to the magical summers that are part of the Pacific Northwest experience. The final picture is of the top of Mt. Hood as it floats on top of clouds. Gorgeous.