Portland Riverboarders Run Oregon Rapids to Promote Sport in Big Easy

Photo by Mike Bitton
Riverboarders "Ice" (left) and "Docta P" are flushed through a class IV rapid on the Upper Clackamas River, Ore.

"Ice" and "Docta P," two Portland, Ore., adrenaline freaks in dire need of photographic proof of their lunacy, invited me on a riverboarding trip to the Upper Clackamas River. They needed photos for a magazine article that's going to run in a few weeks. It's a small mag based in New Orleans, and I predict its readership will think these two gents are off their respective rockers. After I photographed them shooting class III and IV whitewater for three hours, they invited me to dive on in. I did, and had a white-knucked ride through Carter Falls (sorry, no photos of ME doing this!). Adventure sports photography has led me to many places, and to try many things. This was among the most thrilling, and I will go again.

Sunrise Hike Reveals Mt. Rainier's Stunning Glacier View

Photo by Mike Bitton
The morning light was gorgeous when I made this self-portrait at Glacier View near the base of Mt. Rainier.

I made my first trip to Mt. Rainier National Park over the weekend for a family reunion. Sunday morning, I hiked from the visitor's center up to Glacier view. There were no clouds in the sky, and the light was stunning. I sat on one of several flat rocks at the overlook and practiced my meditation as the sun warmed my face. What a serene feeling! It was just what I needed, and a memory I will reflect upon if I feel stressed out in the future.

BYOBoat Kayak Race, Portland, Ore.

Here's a shot of me racing the boat my friend Judson built and gave to me. Photo by Todd Phillips.

Tonight I took my new kayak to the Bring Your Own Boat "pick-up" race ind downtown Portland, Ore. I was there for my first time and all the athletes went out of their way to make me feel truly welcome. My friend recently gave me a boat, and I feel so lucky to have these races to attend to build my confidence and skills! Even though I came in last, you wouldn't know it by the heart-felt cheering I paddled past at the finish line.

Kayak Lake Shasta

Judson Clark built this pair of wood-strip kayaks. He gave me the one on the right.

My friend Judson Clark built a pair of wood-strip kayaks during the past couple of years. He lives in the San Francisco Bay Area, so I met him at Lake Shasta in Northern California for a weekend of paddling his beautiful boats. When it came time for me to drive home this morning, Jud sent me home with a boat! Thanks, Jud!