West Coast Update

May 18, 2006

By Devon Barker. Learn more about Devon.

I just finished a round trip McCall, Idaho and back
via Oregon and Nevada for Bob’s Hole Rodeo and the
Reno River Festival. I drove an hour outside of
Lewiston to take this photo of Palouse Falls at high
water. It is 187 feet tall. I wonder if someone
might run it some day.

Once in Oregon I met up with many of my dear friends
who like to take their kids kayak camping. This is
great as I get to see my friends and their little ones
while getting a "head start" on introducing them into
kayaking. We celebrated Cinco de Mayo by giving the
kidos a kayak paddle to bust apart the pinata. I
placed second in the rodeo to Brooke Winger.

My mom traveled with me and even slept in the back of
my truck. She is amazing. Upon my arrival in Reno
the training really began. The rest of my family
lives there so it was great to have my aunt and
cousins at the hole with me. I won the open. I was
so happy. The next day I did not paddle my best.
That is always hard.

The highlights of the Reno River festival were
watching the great performance of Team Jackson Kayak,
watching my cousin and his friend in the down river
race. They raced in the tupo duo facing each other,
and watching Sage, age 5, paddle her fun 1 at the
park!

I am enjoying being home in Idaho for a week before
venturing off to Colorado for three weeks of comps. I
hope to visit and paddle with you all soon.
Devon