Canadian Weekend Kicks Off The Season: May 22, 2011

Every year the weekend before the American Memorial Day weekend, our hardy neighbors from the north make their way to the Gorge to help kick-off the season.  And being hardy is a requirement this spring with the cool water and record run-off in the Columbia River.  Last week the US Army Corp of Engineers began managing the peak of the annual spring run-off at the 11 dams on the Columbia River.  Our Canadian neighbors are doing their part at three dams on the river north of the border.  The river has been at near flood stage since last week and expected to stay that way for 10 more days.  A word of caution to early season sailors:  the water temp is 54 degrees and the current is swift, especially at Rufus and Maryhill just below John Day dam.

The Windance Swap meet is a Gorge classic.

I was at the big swap meet at Windance today which is always the place to catch up with friends, plus find a treasure you just can’t live without.  Buyers and sellers were plentiful and workin’ it.  Windance also sponsored a raffle for some great gear from the shop.  The season is off to a great start and I’ll be on the beach soon with the new Panthers for everyone to demo, see ya on the beach.  Gary