PADDLE TO THE PACIFIC
A journey of reflection on the Columbia River
By Laurie Case Wilhite, M.Ed.
By Laurie Case Wilhite, M.Ed.
Schedule an interactive presentation about Paddle to the Pacific!
Contact Laurie at lauriecasewilhite@gmail.com to request a book talk/signing for your group, organization, or business. Entertain and educate your audience with photography, stories, and music.
Upcoming book talks:
Fort George Brewery in Astoria, Oregon, on September 22 at 7 p.m.,
Salt Hotel in Ilwaco, Washington, on September 23 at 7 p.m.,
The Dalles Art Center, The Dalles, Oregon, on November 17 at 7 p.m.
The Discovery Center, The Dalles, Oregon, on February 23, 2023
Contact Laurie at lauriecasewilhite@gmail.com for more details
Past 2022 book talks:
Hood River, Oregon, Library on May 21, Ridgefield, Washington, Library on June 4 as part of The BIG Paddle event, Goldendale, Washington, Library on June 23, Lewiston, Idaho, Public Library on July 9,
Uncruise: Rivers of Adventure and Wine Cruise on September 4
Now available at Amazon.com, museums, gift shops, and book stores along the Columbia River.
Click here to see everywhere it's available!
Paddle to the Pacific
A journey of reflection on the Columbia River
Click here to see everywhere it's available!
Paddle to the Pacific
A journey of reflection on the Columbia River
Welcome!
Experience the Columbia River from the water through the story of Laurie’s journey from her kayak.
Geology, wildlife, history, and people along the river come together to form this rich tale of adventure. The book is a combination photographic journal and river travel adventure by kayak.
At right: Paddle to the Pacific cover
Laurie solo paddles underneath the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Photo credit: Kari Minihan
Experience the Columbia River from the water through the story of Laurie’s journey from her kayak.
Geology, wildlife, history, and people along the river come together to form this rich tale of adventure. The book is a combination photographic journal and river travel adventure by kayak.
At right: Paddle to the Pacific cover
Laurie solo paddles underneath the Bridge of the Gods at Cascade Locks, Oregon.
Photo credit: Kari Minihan
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The author: Laurie Case Wilhite, M.Ed.
Born and raised in the Columbia River Gorge, I spent most of my life rushing up and down the river to appointments, events, and vacations. When I retired from teaching high school for over 30 years, I decided to get to know the Columbia River in a new way--from river level. As the reader of Paddle to the Pacific travels with me on the kayak journey, a more thorough understanding of the Columbia River will be gained. Each paddle of approximately 15 miles on the river has become a chapter in this book. The sections were not paddled in order from east to west but experienced when family and friends were available to join me for various stretches. Reflecting on my life’s journey over the years spent living near the Columbia River was the goal of this adventure. Learning and reflecting from river level opens new perspectives. Please join me on my paddle to the Pacific! At left: Laurie enjoying her favorite camp at Thunder Island near Marine Park at Cascade Locks. Photo credit: John Garrett |
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Explore the Columbia River
Slow down the pace, feel the river mile after mile, and join Laurie on a kayak journey down the Columbia River from John Day Dam to the Pacific Ocean. At right: Laurie paddles back to the Columbia after a side trip up the Wild and Scenic Klickitat River. Photo credit: Fletcher Wilhite |
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Map of Paddle to the Pacific
The map of the Columbia River identifies the location of each chapter for reference as the paddles were not completed in downriver order. Each circle represents the number of a chapter at the put-in on the Columbia River. The book is also now available on the shelf at the Columbia River Maritime Museum in Astoria, OR, Greater Goldendale Chamber of Commerce, The Discovery Center, The Dalles Art Center, the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center Museum in Stevenson, Alder Creek Kayak in Jantzen Beach, Spruce Gift Shop in Cascade Locks, McMenamins Kalama Harbor Lodge Market, Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River, And Books, Too! Bookstore in Lewiston, Idaho, and Vintage Books in Vancouver, Washington. See the Where to Buy page to learn more! |
