Southeast in the Pacific Northwest: August 2012

Map of My First West Coast Boating Experience

I've done my fair share of boating on the east coast, especially since my entire family lives on a tidal river, and everyone has a boat. From putzing around the Toogoodoo River, heading out to Botany Bay or Rockville and Bohicket Creek, to various lakes in Georgia and North Carolina, boating is second nature. However, one must never take the boating experience for granted. It's not my boat, after all. It never fails to feel like a serendipitous gift to go out on the water.

Not my first Rodeo

But how to get here?

Part of my draw to Portland, Oregon, was its water life. There are some big rivers and plenty of marinas. I just didn't really have any connections, so I was often looking longingly on those lucky boaters enjoying a summer or Indian summer day. Heck, I'd even go out there in drizzily winter!

Recently, due to an unmentionable employment status, I've been shaking it up and meeting a whole bunch of people outside my inner circle of friends. I've been "networking," if you will. It's not what you think, however. If you're interested in my networking philosophy, please see my guest blog at Alison Wiley's Diamond-Cut Life. Long story short, I've made friends with boats.

On a recent wilting Wednesday afternoon, my friend AJ sent me a text asking if I wanted to go boating. Yes, AJ, yes I do want to go boating. He didn't prepare me for what was to be expected for boating on the west coast, and so I naturally brought my Whaley's Koozie in anticipation that there would be drinking and boating the way I'm accustomed to on the east coast. I don't know where my manners were, and I should have picked up a six pack to share. I just had no idea.

We're off!

I didn't have long to wait to find out that I was in good company. My friend Ali and her friend arrived shortly with some coldies (the mountains were, in fact, blue), but we still awaited our host. Ali had a bit more experience than I, but she didn't exactly know what to expect.

How did I get on this boat?

In short order, AJ and Christy arrived and we were introduced to the boat. Lots of rearranging, throwing brewskies on ice, lamenting the dearth of vodka (but there was rum) and generally tidying up. As we headed out, Christy filled the uninitiated on their form of boating protocol. Skiing and wake boarding were not unusual activities, but heading up to the Ross Island "C" was the extent of the exertions. Nice.

Ross Island Sand and Gravel

We motored south on the eastern side of Ross Island, slowing through the construction of the Street Card bridge at OMSI. We picked up speed and headed toward the Oaks Bottom Wildlife Refuge and hung a right (off the starboard?) into a bay formed by Ross Island. The "C" is actually a manmade occurrence by joining four islands together to create a lagoon. Ross Island Sand and Gravel own most of it, and their operations provided the backdrop to our 3 hour stage.

We parked in the northern part of the lagoon, and unanchored, we very slowly eddied toward the entrance. Very slowly. Toward the west, we could see the towers of the Southwest Waterfront condominiums peaking above the trees. To the southeast side of the lagoon was the mammoth and industrious RISG company. It lent a surreal atmosphere to the day, but it was some how appropriate, too.

We swam some, sunned some, drank some. Throughout it all, we had an iPod shuffling in the background. Because it was a Wednesday, we only had one or two other boats to share the scene with. Apparently on a weekend or holiday, it can get pretty crowded out there. Luckily everyone on board was affiliated with wine or beer and had unregimented schedules, allowing us to beat the heat and the crowds at the same time. I was taking notes for my next career move and discovering potential lucrative opportunities.