As a life long resident of Washington State there are a few things that are so constant that I don't always appreciate them as I should.
The Pacific Ocean is always there just off the coast...it is stunning. We have an actual rain forest, yep a real life honest to goodness rain forest! Then there is the mighty Columbia River runs through our state.
In fact the Columbia River Runs right next to our town. We spend many summer afternoons playing along its shores and in its waters...
The Columbia is over 1200 miles long. It starts in British Columbia and empties into the Pacific Ocean on the border of Washington and Oregon. It is the biggest river in this neck of the woods.
Sweet Girl loves to play in it...
Baby Boy loves to play alongside it...
Sweet Girl in...
Hey Baby whatcha lookin' at?
Something we all like to do is watch the container ships go up and down the river.
Did you know that more than 40% of our country's wheat exports are shipped down the Columbia?
We also see lots of windsurfers, jet skis, fishing boats and barges!
I counted myself lucky to capture this one just as it was emerging from the water!
Keeping watch for pirates is an important duty not to be taken lightly...
One must find the highest spot possible in order to see those pesky pirates!
Yes...but you've got to swab the decks and help me watch for pirates!
AyeEye Cappin'
I must say that we are very lucky to have such a great river on our doorstep to play in.
It is also the biggest generator of hydro electric power in the whole of North America. We have great electrical rates.
These rates come with a cost...even with fish ladders it is hard for the fish to get upstream to spawn. Their numbers are dangerously low.
Some want to breach the dams to help the fish. But that would have a huge negative impact on the people and industries that rely on low cost electricity. There does not seem to be a good solution for this, compromise does not come easily.
Unfortunately we also have issues with pollution...there is so much run off from farms and industry not to mention the Hanford Nuclear site up river from us.
As a parent I feel fortunate to have such a place for the kids to play, but it also concerns me about the health of the river and the implications on my kids.
It makes me sad that I have to tell the kids that they can't put their faces in the water, no drinking, and I shower them off as soon as we get home.
I wish we could solve these problems immediately, but that does not seem to be in the cards...
So for now the kids and I will sit here in the sand and watch the ships go by...
