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West Coast boater’s paradise lies in the southeastern tip of Washington State waiting to be challenged by
those wanting something different. That difference is a land of contrasts and variety, with mountains, open plains and desert. You
can
still imagine the American pioneers as they crossed the areas and settled here.
The region features numerous large, multiple-purpose projects built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for navigation of the Columbia and Snake Rivers, providing an inland water highway for the region’s goods-hydroelectric power production, flood control and recreation. Most of these projects offer a full range of recreational facilities operated by the corp on federal and local lands. Their campgrounds, picnic areas, boat ramps and marinas are some of the most beautiful we’ve ever seen.
Recently, we loaded up the motor home and took off for Tri-Cities, Washington, where the Columbia and Snake Rivers connect. It is a little less than a two-day trip from Southern California and well worth the drive. The Columbia River wanders out of Canada, down through Washington and then rushes westward toward the Pacific Ocean, dividing Washington and Oregon states. The confluence of the
Columbia River and Snake River is only
about
30
miles
north
of the Oregon border
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into Washington’s southeastern region.
The climate is entirely different from that of the western side of the state, and the sagebrush and lack of trees say “desert”—yes,
desert
conditions in Washington and hundreds of miles of picturesque shoreline. The summer temperatures range from about 80 to 100 degrees, and there is little rain. El Niño did upset things a bit.. .but by now, that’s
ancient history.
The Tn-Cities consist of Richland,
Pasco and Kennewick. Richland is home to Sundown Marine and Columbia Park Marina. They are owned and operated by long-term
HOT BOAT
team member Lynne Koehler and his wife, Beverly. Their huge boat shop and separate marina lie on the banks of the Columbia River about four miles north of Highway 395’s Blue Bridge, which connects Pasco and Kennewick. The marina borders the famous Columbia Park where the Unlimited hydros gather yearly for their 200-mph challenge on the water.
Traveling north on the Columbia puts you in the Hanford Reach area. It is governed by the U.S. Department of Energy, and the riverbanks are restricted or offlimits so boating is your only access to
its
serenity. Through this giant gorge area, there are 500-foot cliffs, sandy islands and heavily wooded areas with deer, elk
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