This cold delivery was one of the more remote-feeling jobs I have ever done.
Where is Hermiston you might ask. Upriver of almost every lock on the Columbia River. This little frozen town felt far from the ocean and the Puget Sound where it was supposed to end up in the new owner’s possession.
Briefly, the challenges and lessons learned were.
Fog on a narrow river where big barges work is more stressful than in other places.
Getting gas this time of year this far from anything is a challenge
Red dot heaters are more of a warmer than heater
Rudders can go backward if they loose the cotter pins holding their tillers together
Backfires on gas-powered beasts are scary
It doesn’t matter if everyone has the same rights on the water as far as the lock operators are concerned large commercial use of the locks gets priority.
Step two: Shovel the snow off boat.
Fog is stressful even with radar
A well loved local design
Call your mom
No pin to be found to hold the clevis pin in place.
Key ring jury rig
Truly impressive engineering these locks
This is bigger than it looks
Welcome stop at the floating Puffin Cafe
Schooner Creek Boatworks