Down the Columbia

At the edge of memory, the author recalls the moment a daring river expedition first took shape, fresh from a winter ski trek across Yellowstone's icy lake and the snow‑capped Continental Divide. The cold, crystal air and a sergeant’s playful comment about sipping water from the Pacific or Atlantic sparked a fascination with a river that runs straight from mountain peaks to the sea. The Columbia, described as a “he” river that never pauses, promises a journey where the water itself does the work.

An old game‑patrol sergeant shares his lifelong relationship with the Columbia, recalling traps, elk, and the fierce rapids of the Dalles des Morts. He contrasts river travel with mountain climbing, noting how a boat simply follows the current, delivering its traveler with minimal effort. His colorful stories paint the river as a natural highway through rugged wilderness.

Encouraged, the narrator begins to plan his own voyage, gathering supplies and mapping the stretches ahead. Listeners are invited to accompany him as he prepares to set off, the promise of landscapes and river lore beckoning from every bend.