Scappoose, Oregon, is a wide spot on the road between Portland and Astoria. A town of 3,000 inhabitants, it is slowly losing its rural flavor because of its proximity to Portland. Multnomah Channel, a shortcut between the Willamette and Columbia rivers, runs through the east side of Scappoose. For most Portland-area boaters, the Channel offers little: it is a narrow waterway, far from the popular anchorages, and dodging the frequent gravel barges is, well, sporting. But it is a haven for potential cruisers, as it features cheap moorage, protected waters and the companionship of other people with the same dream.
In February of 1996 the Willamette River flooded, producing the highest waters in more than 30 years. During the flood, Leslie's houseboat broke loose, and was prevented from floating away only by the downstream houseboat and a "comealong" used to winch the house back into place. Jay was forced to abandon the marina where he was living aboard "Je Suis Prest," an Islander 37. In his first solo voyage in a large sailboat, he dodged floating trees and refrigerators to anchor in a nearby cow pasture with other refugees.