NW Inland Freshwater Rendezvous????

John, that explains the security issues. It's been awhile since we have driven down Marine Drive so I didn't know the ramp was closed.

We have three trips planned this spring: Portland, Seattle and Spokane. We are staying in a nice hotel in a safe part of Portland, staying with our kids and grand kids in Ballard (part of Seattle) and in we'll be in a hotel in Spokane.

Will I be packin'? Do boats float?
 
It's not closed. Just the marine patrol office is. And I dont know of any secure places in PDX to stay. Not in the city proper. That whole Eastside part of the city from Gladstone up to Marine drive is a chithole. There was some good southern style places to eat down on MLK that shut down because of the riots and looting. It's still going on, just not being reported.
 
We really like Salty's on Alkai Beach by Seattle, but we will probably never go there again.
 
How about Salty's on the Columbia? Open?

The last time down there, they only had a small lot along Marine Dr and the yacht club had the ground behind.

The yacht club didnt get past my financial info and shut me down. Punished for being a cash and carry guy.
 
HERE is the right one that talks about the cruise!
 
Yes sir. I remember a few that were wanting to join in on the fun.
 
Anybody else want to make the run?
 
We are most likely in.
We're not getting much boating time in this year. I figured once retired we'd be on the water all the time.
 
We are most likely in.
We're not getting much boating time in this year. I figured once retired we'd be on the water all the time.


I'm up 100% over last year. I wasnt able to get out, not one time. So having taken the runabout out to the lake, the other day, puts me above last year.

Now to find those Gypsies my parents always warned us about as kids, to sell my kids. Then I might get a half a tank for the DA
 
OK, glad to see this thread surface again. My calendar is still open from Sep 6-15 and I'll help any way I can. Our YC is still available for a "cruise round-up" party if anyone wants to do that.

Just let me know.
 
We are most likely in.
We're not getting much boating time in this year. I figured once retired we'd be on the water all the time.
It's funny how that works isn't it? I thought the same thing and last year we barely made it out! If it wasn't for your invite to Stehekin, we probably wouldn't have had more than a few nights on board. This year is going the same way and I should have it ready to go by the end of the week. Can't make it out this weekend, or at least I'm not sure if we can get out this weekend. Maybe a Sunday through Tuesday cruise depending on the night time temps? We'll see!
 
We won't be out this weekend, then Celeste is going to Vegas Monday for a week.
I'm going to watch the metal get installed on the new shop. :)
 
The DA is sitting with treated non ethanol fuel to just over half a tank. I might fill the pick up, up and head to the coast soon. We might head up to Sauvies Island and see if the better ramp is open. At least there we can leave the truck and trailer there and it wont be touched. Will have to drive up and see.
 
IIRC there is a ramp at Cascade Locks. I called a fishing charter service there to find out if it could handle a 30' boat and he assured me it would. For those not familiar with it, Cascade Locks is just upstream from Bridge of The Gods which is about 4 miles upstream from Bonneville Lock.
 
That is still further east. I wanted to head west from the ramp. There is a city ramp on the Willamette where the Navy had their dry docks. But it looks like the depth is way too shallow now. And there isnt anything south of downtown. Just the one at Clackamas and I wouldnt leave a taco bell wrapper in that lot.
 
Since it looks like I'm the only one with a rigid schedule (damn!), I'm still on for the September weekend after Labor Day, which would put us at the 9th through 12th (making it a long weekend). The boat is currently down south at home and is being actively resurrected. Maybe fuel prices will have peaked by then...
 
And that is my big problem. There is only two ramps I can launch from in PDX. Both not secure at all. The rest are not big enough for the boat. Sauvies Island is a tiny ramp. And Clackamas is too shallow. Not that I would leave the pick up in Clackamas either. Yaquinta Bay is very secure. As you would expect from a pay to park and pay to use city owned facility
They have removed the homeless camps from Hayden island recently along with the Columbia pirate camp. It’s been a lot nicer this year, they tried stealing my boat last year from the slip but didn’t know it had a battery switch so I found it loose in the marina with dock rash down the sides of it. There is also a nice large boat ramp across the river in Vancouver at marine park, unfortunately there are some homeless vehicles outside the gate if they haven’t chased them off. They lock up the launch area at night and you can leave your vehicles parked in the lot if your out overnight.
 

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