May 07, 2004 - 11:14 a.m.
So after a nice relaxing visiting at Uncle Wayne's we headed to Northern California, where we hooked up with the Kavu van (the Norwegian’s Mariann and Morton). After pushing their van up the remaining feet of a summit and cruising down (ran out of gas) to the pump we got into Oregon to check out Hood River. Mark paddled the White Salmon and the Little White with them and then we headed up to Canyon Creek, to train for the extreme race. On the way from Portland, over the Columbia River, Mark's Kingpin came off the car into five lanes of traffic. An 18 wheeler that was following us barely even noticed it before it was flattened. Poor boat. It was picked up off the freeway by Scott, Mariann and Morton, who risked their lives running across traffic to snatch it and throw it into their van.
So the next day Mark and I ran Canyon Creek twice to get ready for the extreme race that would be held there the next day. Both of us won our respective divisions. Go Bassos!
Michelle on Canyon Creek 
Since then we have been boating in Oregon and Washington. A couple days ago Dr. Mark took his Kingpin to the operating table and it is back in paddling condition (though the outfitting still has a little to be desired). He's tested it out on the Wenatchee and the Skykomish... even throwing some sweet blunts on the wave.
Mark on the Tye
May 20, 2004 - 4:05 p.m.
Hooray! after more than 14 months on the road less traveled, Michelle and I did our last US interstate, smiled nicely at the border, sat in traffic for an hour and then heaved up 60 bucks for a tank of gas........Hoooray we are back home! O Canada!
Vancouver has 3 important things to Michelle and I......relatives, sushi and skookumchuck. Visiting my sisters has been great, larger families and bigger nephews since I was last here. Sushi......well so far we have yet to get enough of that too, sometimes you can find all you can eat here for around 10 bucks!! no lie....there IS something cheap to eat in this city!
And of course my most favorite wave in the universe, Skookumchuck (aka. Sechelt Narrows) is home to a big glassy green wave that makes flying in a kayak feel like heaven. This time we did things fancy, paddled the canoe out to the island across from the wave and had the best 3 nights camping ever! Well it has been an exciting run, but next week is the gran finale, heading east out of Vancouver we'll be back in normal land.....but the parents await and we are excited for the big reunion.
Skookumchuk
Skookumchuk
June 02, 2004 - 12:55 p.m.
So after Vancouver Mark and I made our way through BC, stopping in Penticton to check out Mark's old houses. We got into the Calgary area on Tuesday and spent a week paddling around there. The weekend was spent at the Kananaskis Whitewater Festival catching up with old friends and having lots of fun. Now we are back in Edmonton visiting the parents and getting ready for a wedding reception, for all of those who missed our wedding in Chile.
We are going to find a place in Calgary soon and find some jobs. Then we are going to start planning our next big road trip.
