Unexpected adventure. After last night’s post-race pizza, I woke up to C wanting to leave early for Spokane. Fortunately I had already loaded the Tundra with the boats, luggage, etc. We left by 9am. We were in Ritzville by noon and decided to go to Perkins. Mistake. The food was fair but we waited over 40 minutes for Club sandwiches and fries. Go to ZIP or Taco del Mar next time. And too many seagulls (in the desert?) for McDs
After finding the check-in and dropping C off I went up to Riverside Park to paddle up the Little Spokane River. It was a beautiful day. The river was up (I have never been on it but it seemed to be up by looking at the vegetation). I took the canoe instead of the kayak because it is easier to bail out (me, not the boat) and it is easier to portage in case of rapids (the boat, not me).
The first 20 minutes was tough then the river slowed slightly and went into huge oxbends. I paddled N, E, W and S. One of the videos below should show the sun hitting me from every direction in the afternoon.
After about an hour upriver I decided to stop and head back down but then I heard some people coming down the river so I thought I would wait and greet them. It was a group of 3 adults and 4 kids in 3 whitewater kayaks and a big raft. One adult was in the (very cold) water and another was about to go in as I approached. Not a good situation. From a tough but gorgeous upriver paddle I was suddenly dealing with a stage 1 hypothermic adult and another woman that going into Stage 2 in fast cold water with MANY logs just below water and 4 little kids alone on a raft on a swollen river with many large sweepers. [Cut to end – everyone came out ok- cumulatively I am giving myself credit for one save.]
Here is a link to a speeded up version of my 1st hour + on the river.
Sunset in Ritzville
