blog – The Picnic

July 10, 2022July 10, 2022

Hoodnicked Again

The moment of truth comes about 10 minutes and a third of a mile into the first crossing of the Columbia River, which is .9 miles wide where I like to swim, between Hood River, OR and White Salmon, WA. After plunging in and crawling across the placid bay just east of the old steel bridge spanning the river, the current announces itself. You’re just swimming along, then you’re bodily tugged sideways and you’re in it.

April 9, 2021April 10, 2021

The Second Swim

You stand on the lakeshore, depleted. You’ve already biked from town, swam the lake, climbed the mountain and returned to the lake. To finish the deal you have to swim back then pedal home. There are hours more to go, and you’ve already been on the move for 20, maybe more. You’re pretty much completely over it, and won’t be doing this again.