Pretty Not Bad

The Adventurer, Vernon Wade

Vernon was born in the Pacific Northwest and still lives in the shadow of Mt. Hood, near the small town where he grew up. Vernon has spent decades wandering the hills, hunting mushrooms, camping and riding motorcycles into the remotest nooks and crannies to be found in the region.

Amy and I drove up to Disappearing Lake. The water level is dropping fast; I think it will be a short season. We talked about paddling the beaver pond but the shore was teeming with mosquitos so we went back down to South Prairie and put in.

There was a breeze blowing from the south, but it was inconstant and fairly light. Just enough to make the placid pools in the cottonwoods inviting.

It looked like there might be a navigable channel to the third impoundment. The water had dropped enough to go under the logs that blocked our passage last trip, but a short narrow bit was choked with debris so we turned back.

We also explored the little stream that leads to the fourth lake. Again were thwarted, this time by overhanging brush.

After about 2 1/2 hours on the lake we got hungry, so we returned to shore and loaded the boats on the truck. We headed back, stopping at Chanty Camp for a picnic before going home. All in all, it was pretty not bad.