The Columbia and Snake rivers deliver a rich feast for the eyes and lens.
Flashes of bright colors crisscross the river far ahead of us, some high in the sky, others on the water’s surface, and all moving like crazed butterflies escaping the lepidopterist’s net. As we approach this chaos of color, we see some humans attached to high-flying kites while others stand on rocket-fast boardsurfers, each trying to outdo the other with heroic, acrobatic stunts.
I am with boatbuilder Tony Fleming aboard Venture, his personal Fleming 65, for an exploration of the Pacific Northwest’s Columbia and Snake rivers, and we have just arrived in Hood River, Oregon, known as the boardsurfing capital of the world. Strong prevailing westerlies are the norm in the Columbia River Gorge, and the swift, opposing river currents create conditions that attract wind worshipping surfers from around the world. Fleming’s captain, Chris Conklin, has to dodge and weave Venture through this maze of color, being careful not to get tangled in all the airborne rigging that is zigzagging from one riverbank to the other.
As we enter the small harbor of Hood River, magnificent, snowcapped Mount Hood breaks through the low, fast-moving clouds, protectively looking down upon this little town on the hillside. After securing a spot along the town dock, we borrow a car from a friendly local and go exploring. First on our list is a quick drive back to the Bonneville Lock and Dam, which we had passed through the day before. Taking a fascinating tour of the dam’s inner workings, we walk atop one of the massive, 60,000-kilowatt turbine generators, part of the dam’s 1,200-megawatt hydroelectric power plant. The sophisticated control room reminds me of the movie “The China Syndrome.”
Bu hikaye Yachts International dergisinin November/December 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Giriş Yap
Bu hikaye Yachts International dergisinin November/December 2016 sayısından alınmıştır.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Giriş Yap
Transfer Of Power
Turquoise builds a yacht for one family that ends up being ideal for another.
Going Places
The new flagship in azimut’s magellano line adds even more features for long-range cruisers.
Standing the Test of Time
The late Jon Bannenberg’s Coral Ocean, built by Lürssen, rivals superyachts of today.
Feadship's Choice
Twin 80-foot ‘tenders’ serve as a mothership propulsion system on this concept yacht.
America's Great Western Waterway
The Columbia and Snake rivers deliver a rich feast for the eyes and lens.
Fleet Week In Fort Lauderdale
Tens of thousands make the annual pilgrimage to the Venice of America for the world’s biggest boat show.
Smashing The Mold
The owner of the feadship Savannah reaches outside the mainstream to reset the bar on super yacht interior design
Original Sins
Seven Sins, the fi rst 52Steel and Sanlorenzo’s largest launch, marks an emotional return to the Ital ian brand for her Belgian owner.
Chief Stewardess - Cristin Van Der Merwe
M/Y Moka
Cellar & Galley
A Chef and a Master Sommelier Serve Up the Perfect Pairings.