#columbia-river

#columbia-river

NEAR ST. HELENS, Ore. It's a hot September afternoon as I set off running past farm fields into the woods on Sauvie Island, which lies at the meeting of the Columbia and Willamette rivers. It's a perfect trail for running with 60-year-old knees, the forest floor soft with leaves and pine needles. The gentle path offers views of the vast Columbia River. After a day of work, I love finding places like this, where I can turn off my brain and just move and breathe.

The giant Columbia River offers a variety of swimming spots, despite challenges like industrial neighbors and complicated access. Many areas provide water lapping on sand or stones along its length.