> On another note, one of my dream cruises is to sail whatever little boat
> I have at the time I get up the nerve, up the coast from San Diego to
> the Columbia River, and up the rivers to Spokane, WA, to visit
> relatives. And of course, back again. Is that doable? Any dams in the
> way? Bridges I can deal with. Are those rivers considered navigable
> through to Spokane? Or more precisely to Post Falls, Idaho?
The Columbia is navigable as far as the TriCities
(Richland-Pasco-Kenniwick, WA). Then there are seven dams on the
Columbia (including Grand Coulee) without locks. The Spokane River
which flows from Post Falls to the Columbia has another two dams, plus
Spokane Falls, a rather formidible natural barrier
<http://www.spokane-areacvb.org/tour/p3.htm>.
Make the route up the Columbia, and detour into the Snake River--it's
navigable to Lewiston Idaho. Then by trailer 120 miles North to Post
Falls. Good sailing on Lake Coeur d'Alene once you get here.
For a good book on the Columbia River, see if you can find:
Cody, Robin, Voyage of a summer sun : canoeing the Columbia River, New
York : Knopf : Distributed by Random House, 1995.
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Ron Force rforce@uidaho.edu
Dean of Library Services (208) 885-6534
University of Idaho Moscow 83844-2350
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