Heavily Meditated: The River and the Salmon

The Heavily Meditated hiking series is short treks to stunning places where we linger for an extra hour after the initial event to soak up the ambience. In silence, we sit or recline, meditate, eat, take pics, shoot video, write in journals, sketch, whatever. You may commune silently with the group or go off a little ways and find a healing spot of your own. You are free to leave sooner or linger longer than an hour, it's all about getting your fill of beauty and peace.

If you've never met anybody famous, now's your chance. He's got his own pool, he's got his own swag, he's even been in a music video. He doesn't sign autographs but he's racked up a ton of paparazzi. He's livin' his best life at the Bonneville Fish Hatchery where fans admire him from above and below at a custom made viewing facility. He just turned 90.

Herman the Sturgeon is an 11-foot-long, 500+ pound green sturgeon who's still rockin' his ancestor's look from 100,000 million years ago. I call it Jurassic Classic. Sturgeon are anadromous, meaning they can live in both fresh and saltwater. So, if Herman wasn't living a life of luxury in his custom-made pond, he'd be joining all his buddies who head out to sea to feed and then back up the Columbia River again to spawn.

Which the Chinook salmon are doing right now. The shallows are shimmying with silver bodies vying for the best nursery rooms. I found an enchanting spot along a nearby river where hundreds upon hundreds of fish undulate together in the singing water, you can sit just 10 feet away and stare into the dance.

We'll meet at the door of the Spruce Gifts and Provisions gift shop and head out on a short walking tour of the gardens of Bonneville Hatchery, including a celebrity meet and greet with Herman. We'll peer into trout and baby sturgeon ponds and then head back to check out the gift shop. They have Oregon- and nature-themed art and souvenirs you've never seen anywhere else and a coffeeshop in the back serving up Longbottom Coffee. All proceeds benefit the Oregon Wildlife Foundation. Restrooms on site, free parking.

Then we'll drive about 0.3 mi. to the most magical place in Oregon to watch the salmon spawn. From the parking lot, we'll descend about two stories of steep stairs with a sturdy metal railing and traverse an uneven gravel path for about 100 - 300 feet to find a spot along the river to set up our camp chairs and blankets. A few boulders make decent seats, but bring a blanket or towel in case of bird doo. There are shady secluded places near the bridge and a wide and sunny rock beach out where the river meets the Columbia. Insect repellent recommended if you're delicious, trekking poles if you want stability on the rocks. Please make sure you bring food you can eat quietly (no rustling bags, popping soda can tops) so everyone can enjoy the quiet. Restrooms on site, free parking.

Bring $10 cash, water, lunch, binoculars, camera equipment, camp chair/blankets, WEATHER appropriate clothing. Adults only, please, and no pets, thanks.