Deschuttes River trip was a float not a white water adventure! Caron and I were the only ones that really seemed to mind because it was a wonderful day to float the river. The eight mile streach we did from Pringle Falls Campground to LaPine State Park boat ramp had a couple of interesting things but was mostlya relaxing float. We saw a couple osprey, blue heron, a redtailed hawk, kingfishers, an unidentified low flying black duck (a stealth model?) along the way and Cameron caught the littlest frog I've ever seen at the boat ramp!

As for whitewater action, we had to portage on river right above the Tethrow Log Jam at river mile 4 to catch the only white water on the whole streach, which is directly below the log jam. Jack, Leo, Caron and I shot the rapid but Signe and Rocky, who had Cameron riding in his kayak with him opted to take the standard portage on river left and bypass the log jam and rapid.

Getting out of the kayaks upriver of the log jam was the most difficult part of doing the rapid. The river is deep right up to the bank and the first person has to get on to the bank without aid. The current carried Caron a little closer to the log jam than any of us wanted her to be before she got to the bank. There were a few tense moments when Leo had one foot on the bank, one on a log that had begun moving with the current, was holding Caron's IK (inflatable kayak) and encouraging Caron to jump on to the bank quickly! After a slight hesitation Caron jumped, Leo pulled himself and the IK onto the bank and let the log go on it's way. I was watching from a spot upstream and waited for Jack and Leo to help me up the bank from there! The rapid is a roller with one larger wave breaking back on the far right. We picked a route river center and avoiding the potentially difficult wave. I went first and got positioned to take a couple shots of the others as they came through the rapid. Here are the shots.

Other than that the rope swing at mile 8 was the only other distraction from visiting as we manuvered around the many logs that reached out into the river from the banks. A wild fire had gone through this area some time ago and young trees are just coming up in many places. A good example of natural forest rejuvenation.

A white water rafting trip was supposed to be part of Cameron's 9th birthday present but he got a campout, river float, and trying out a river swing instead. He told us Sunday that he had a great time so I guess it wasn't to bad that there wasn't any white water action for him.

We had lots of great food all weekend and more shared memories with friends so I feel kind of bad that I was bummed that there wasn't any "action" on the river. Caron and I are the white water junkies and wanted more! Signe kept saying she had a wonderful time floating the river.

Caron's Dad, Sam, camped with us and acted as the camp cook, which we all appreciated! Arriving late Friday night there was a hot dinner ready and both breakfasts included my personal favorites, pancakes! "Ranger" Rod stopped by Saturday night after he got off work and again Sunday morning. He is working at the Newberry Monument this summer which is at LaPine. As always his presence produced a lot of laughter. Kay and Ernie looked us up too! Kay is also a ranger at the Monument and the jobs keep Kay and Rod from seeing friends most of the summer.

When we got home I cleaned the rafts throughly, dried them and put them away, more than likely until next spring. Our weekends are full now with other activities until the end of September!