Kennewick to Astoria Advice

[Hydraulicjump]

I think every year I fantasize on this site about this trip, but given the uncertainties of the Canadian border (still) this is the year to pull the trigger. I have a shipper who will deliver our boat from Seattle to Kennewick and then pick it up in Astoria and return it. Right now, we are thinking three weeks starting around August 1st in Kennewick. This includes a long layover in Portland before heading out to the mouth of the Columbia. Major hassles getting our car from Kennewick to Astoria, but that will likely just involve renting a car and retrieving it, then shuttling it out to Astoria (long drive). Of course, we could get rid of this hassle factor by just splashing the boat in Vancouver and heading up river to Kennewick, then back to Portland, then down to Astoria, than back to Portland....you get the picture.

I have received advice on this before—and I thank all of you for that—but I am soliciting some more. If you were going to spend five days in the Portland area, what marina would you stay in? We will likely rent a car, so there is no hassle about transportation.

On the Kennewick to Portland leg, what are your top three must sees/places to stay? Including places you might layover for a day? Same for the Portland to Astoria leg.

Are we making a mistake not turning “left” and heading up the Snake for a bit? We have no interest in going all the way to Lewiston. But if there is a must see up there, what must we see?

Thanks, again, for the advice in the past and the current advice. This time I mean it. Really. And I want to do it right the first time because we may well not be back.

Thanks all. Looking forward to the cruising season, for sure.

Jeff

 

[Dock Walker]

Beacon Rock State Park has a nice public dock downstream of Bonneville dam. St Helens municipal docks are good and put you right in old town and Cathlamet has some nice facilities to dock at as well.

 

[bob daily]

Just to let you know that time of the year (1-August) it can be hot! Temperature can be in the triple digits! In eastern Washington. I should be back from my annual fishing trip around that time, I'm about 5 miles from Clover Island if you need anything or just a cold beverage feel free to contact me.
Bob

 

[Hydraulicjump]

Thanks Bob and DockWalker (good name!),

Bob, be careful what you ask for. We would welcome a chance to hear more, especially if it includes a cold adult beverage. And yes, the August hot is going to be an issue since we have a PNW tug with no AC in it.

Where would you stay in Kennewick while provisioning?

Jeff