One of the lovelies about wooden boat people is the networking that occurs, friendships made, and boats built and used. For those who have read my book you know the contributions that Dave Zielinski and Doug Bridges made to my research, each by testing the efficacy of the plans by building the first-off, and/or helping to develop slight modiciation to make a project a bit easier and cost-effective.

I gotta tell you this story -- a special tribute to Doug Bridges of Sequim, WA. He pushed me into finishing the work of a 16-foor Rapid Robert, something I did not plan to include in the book because I wasn't going to have time to finish the project. Doug wanted to build a 16-foot RR and after several phone conversations we decided to collaborate on the boat. As with Dave Z, we had not met, but there is something about drift boaters that elicit both trust and cooperation.

You know the story -- Doug built the boat, the plans and story appeared in the book, and as interesting it wasn't until one year following his completion of the boat that we physically met. Dave Z and I have yet to meet face-to-face, something I'm sure will happen someday.

And now the rest of the story -- On April 3 I gave a presentation about drift boats and river dories at the Columbia River maritime Museum (CRMM) in Astoria, Oregon. I invited Doug to join me. Last Fall -- because he has more boats than he can store and use, and because of the historical significnace of his first-off, The Bridges -- he donated the boat to the CRMM. "I know the boat will be well cared for, and besides, anytime I want to see all i have to do is got to the Museum." The CRMM was delighted with his gift.

When the CRMM asked me to do my dog and pony show it seemed only fitting that The Bridges serve as a centerpiece to the program. So I asked Doug to participate with me. He did, and he and his boat were the central feature. The presentation was in the lovely Kern Room, a spacious and airy place overlooking the Columbia. Front and center in the room was The Bridges. Doug did an excellent job of explaing to the conferees how the boat came about, its significance in the scheme of things, and how he built the boat.

Both the Museum's curator, Jeffrey Smith, and the Executive Directior, Sam Johnson, were there. Sam spent a few minutes during the Q & A to thank Doug for his generous gift, and to cite the Museum's interest in serving as a repository and show case for boats of the West.

It was a spelndid day, and my hat is off to Doug for his friendship and his generosity. The same is true for Dave. And my hat is off to all of you who share our mutual interest in rivers and streams, fish, white water, and riverboats, especially those boats that have history and continuing utility. There isn't a week go by that i don;t receieve a letter and photos of yet another re-creation launched somewhere.

It does this aging romantic's heart good.