“There are many gifts we can give to others, but experiences granted have the longest-ranging impact.” – Old Sean
Rest Seeking
Over the past couple of days, Ari, K’na and I were driving north, spending time in locations throughout California. We eventually pushed into the northernmost portion of the state, wearied by constant journeying.
The following morning, we got moving swiftly. We were very eager to rush into Oregon, where gas prices were cheaper and K’na and Ari had a new overnight location for us to rally. Both of my travel companions had extremely generous friends based in Williams, Oregon.
This was probably my favorite location in the entire trip. We drove through the mountains to the obscure region of Williams, where we met up with Ari’s friend from Hawaii, an exceptionally fit and active young man named Felix.
Living on a pseudo-commune structure with farming and other side industries, Felix rallied his roommate Nate and offered to take up paddle boarding down the Applegate River.
Rapid Events
I’ve been paddle boarding before, but never down a river. Ironically, Felix and Nate hadn’t tried this river either (the Applegate River) so it was a bit of surprise for all of us. We had expected a somewhat peaceful float down the stream, with placid waters as we continued to weave with the flow.
But no. Instead, the Applegate is the most engaging water ride ever.
The river does have its long stretches of peaceful floats, but it’s a much more diverse journey than that. The waters often swell, break over low, slightly bumpy round rocks, and occasionally, true white water rapids flashing down heady rocks.
I had a shaky start, but I gradually got the hang of it. After the first hour, I could stand on the quiet parts and drift on the rapids. Overall, I enjoyed my paddleboard very much and only wiped out five or six times. Better still, I managed to make it through the entire river without losing my hat, glasses or paddle, which was an achievement on its own.
K’na, who spent the trip jumping around, paddling madly, swimming naked and bracing against the rapids lost everything but his bandana. First, his paddle vanished from his hands at a rapid point and his pants were soon robbed as well.
Luckily, K’na doesn’t seem to mind river nudity so much. He’s pretty happy getting that even-body tan.
Regardless, the rest of us had a lot of fun. Nate brought his lovely little dog, who sat happily on the prow of his paddleboard.
Felix showed off with flips and summersaults and shore-side climbing feats. Ari became very Zen with the river and shouted jokes across the calm waters. K’na was K’na. All of us scooted over to the shoreline, where wild blackberries bloomed and ripened to delicacies.
Low branches could be avoided by laying on one’s stomach or using a paddle as a warding wand. Deep stretches of the river were flashing with small, silver minnows. The shoreline was an impressive green. We passed lots of people, especially near the end of the journey.
Overall, it was a four hour journey on the river. We finally made it to the end where a few of Nate’s friends were waiting. K’na made a makeshift pair of pants from Felix’s shirt, and we rested briefly near a spiral water wheel made from stacked stones while Nate fetched his truck to pick up the paddleboards. My feet, by the end, were a battered mess of rock-scrapes.
But worth every nick.
Granted Refuge
Our day, of course, wasn’t actually over. Felix invited us to something called an ecstatic dance, which Ari was extraordinarily excited about. I was happy to tag along, especially after being assured I wouldn’t have to dance.
I just hung out on the sidelines, chatted with some people, ate bison jerky and played my two songs on the harmonica when people requested them (which was not often). Ari danced on stage while K’na jammed in his own slow circle.
We finally returned to Felix’s place where we set up camp under an awning. The rest of the night was spent lounging, meeting Felix’s son, watching Avatar the Last Airbender, drinking a casual beer and holding gradually deepening conversations in the moonlight.
Last Stop
K’na was so infatuated with the area and happy with a sudden job offer, he decided to stay at the compound once Felix offered him employment. So Ari and I packed up the next morning, took turns at the outdoor shower and said our goodbyes.
Though K’na had found a place to stay, Ari and I reverted to wandering.
The following drive revealed a couple of things. First, in Oregon, apparently pumping one’s own gas isn’t a thing. People constantly come out and pump gas for you.
The problem is, I’m not carrying cash due to COVID and I don’t have any money for cash tips. It took me a while before I found a girl at a gas station who allowed me to handle my own pump. She worriedly checked to make sure I knew what I was doing, asking “Are you sure you know how?”
Yes. Yes, I know how to pump gas.
Portlandia
Despite our gas-pump hiccups, we eventually made it to Portland. Based on the recent news regarding illegal police, abductions and riots, I was concerned. My aunt had advised me to skip the city entirely.
But that being said, we had a couple things in Portland that I wanted to see.
The first thing we did was make a somewhat secret drive to a portion of town. I dropped off Ari for a moment and covertly picked up some of her favorite cupcakes (German Chocolate) at Piece of Cake Bakery. I stuck a candle into the top, placed Stevie Wonder on the auxiliary cord and made sure to get myself a cupcake as well.
It was Ari’s birthday, in case the context clues weren’t all there.
We also picked up some unique beer from Breakside Brewery, including a trippy little beverage called Rainbows and Unicorns. Reasonably happy with our purchases, we continued on our way. Portland has an astounding number of bridges arcing over every river, looping in odd directions and giving magnificent views of downtown.
Urban Escapist
We skipped the majority of Portland due to the strife they’ve been facing in recent months, but we did visit a very strange drive-thru vegan strip club (which was closed on Monday) because of course Portland has one.
We had a minor scare while driving, when a cop car whooped and flashed behind us, but it fortunately was just trying to get around.
On the way out of town, we ordered ahead to Round Table Pizza, where a pineapple pizza accompanied us for the rest of the drive.
And then, our day was done. We made our way to Seattle, where a friend named Miranda allowed us a place to stay for the night.
We have a full day off tomorrow, but then we will strive through Idaho in a valiant (but ultimately doomed) attempt to make it to Salt Lake City at a reasonable hour.
So until then,
Best regards and excellent trails,
Old Sean
Written August 3rd 2020
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I bought this Horizon Hound Trek Blanket for a late-autumn trek in the United States. Since then, it’s gone everywhere with me. The blanket is lightweight, stuff-able, warm and durable. But my favorite features are the buttons. The blanket can be buttoned up the sides, turning it into a long thermal poncho when I don’t want to leave the warmth of my bed.
