The Wahkiakum County Eagle - Established as The Skamokawa Eagle in 1891

100 Paddles for 100 Years is an opportunity for people to join in a human-powered water journey in honor of the centennial of the National Park Service. Lewis and Clark National Historical Park is our local National Park and the public is invited to travel by water into the park, similar to how the Lewis and Clark Expedition members traveled during their winter here in 1805-06.

On the evening of Thursday, August 25, experienced canoers/kayakers will meet at the Astoria Recreation Center (former Astoria Yacht Club site by the Old Youngs Bay Bridge) for a 5:30 p.m. launch and group paddle across Youngs Bay into the Lewis and Clark River. Less experienced folks are encouraged to meet at Netul Landing at 5:30 p.m. and head downstream on the Lewis and Clark River. The two groups plan to meet at the park's "Otter Point" wetland restoration site and together they will paddle to Netul Landing where they will be served birthday cake. Participants need to bring their own kayak, canoe, paddleboard or any non-motorized watercraft and need to wear a US Coast Guard approved personal floatation device. Call the park at (503) 861-4425 to register.

The National Park Service was founded on August 25, 1916. Admission to all National Park Service sites is free August 25-28 in honor of the NPS Centennial. Regular park hours are 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day through Labor Day.

100 Paddles for 100 Years is sponsored by the Lewis & Clark National Park Association which supports park education and interpretative activities at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park. For more information, check out http://www.nps.gov/lewi or Lewis and Clark National Historical Park on Facebook.