The Star - News, views and advertising of the Grand Coulee Dam Area

Imagine kayaking 1,250 miles down the Columbia River from Columbia Lake, in British Columbia, down to Astoria, Oregon.

That's exactly what John Kuntz, of Fort Gamble, Washington, is doing.

"It's beautiful," Kuntz said. "Lots of beaches, dramatic landscapes," adding that he's seen a variety of wildlife, including bear, elk, moose, river otter, turkey, coyotes, and at least the prints of cougars.

Kuntz, who is paddling the river in part as a way of "teaching youth the art of adventure," left the Keller Ferry area at about 7:30 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 8, and arrived at the Crescent Bay boat...