Confluence of the Columbia and Snake Rivers , 10/5/2021, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Pacific Northwest
Early in the morning, we transited the Ice Harbor Dam on the Snake River dropping approximately 100ft and then had a lovely brunch. We arrived at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia rivers and took Zodiacs ashore to the Sacagawea State Park. The Confluence area was significant to the Indigenous people of the region for millennia as a place to gather and trade. This particular spot was also historically significant to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which camped here in October of 1805 and surveyed the confluence area. Half of us started with a visit to the REACH Museum with exhibits on the natural, cultural, and scientific history of Hanford Reach and the Columbia Basin area, while the other group took in Sacagawea State Park, the interpretive center, and the Confluence Project installation by Maya Lin. We then switched so everyone could enjoy both sites.
I like to remind people that there are very few big surprises left in life, but if you are out in nature, with an open mind and a lot of time, you never know what you will find.
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National Geographic Sea Bird climbed up the Columbia River. The ship made its way from the temperate rainforest across the deep and narrow basalt cliffs of the Columbia Gorge and into the dry sagebrush-steppe landscape of Crow Butte. The transformation took just a few hours. As the sun rose across the sharply edged riverine lines, guests sipped coffee and enjoyed breakfast. Afterwards, we enjoyed an expert talk on “Soils and Raptors” by naturalist and “Raptor Extraordinaire,” Zoey Greenberg. Emerging from Celilo Falls and the Long Narrows, we shuttled upstream to Crow Butte Island. Guests enjoyed aerobic nature walks around the island in the morning. Returning to National Geographic Sea Bird , guests enjoyed an afternoon of cruising through the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge and educational presentations on “Salmon, Dams, and the Columbia River Treaty,” by Patrick MacQuarrie, river historian, and “Geology of the Columbia River Basin,” by the multitalented naturalist wizard, Jesse Humbert. Crow Butte and the refuge offered a plethora of birdlife for the guests’ enjoyment, including grebes, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and several types of geese, including snow geese, cackling geese, and Canada geese. We also spotted buffleheads, widgeons, mallards, coots, gulls, and several sparrows. While naturalists wooed the “Sea Bird Nation” with natural science and history stories, the ship transited McNary Lock. The lock lifted National Geographic Sea Bird up 75-feet into Lake Wallula, eventually passing Wallula Gap and entering the Snake River by dinner. Once again, National Geographic Sea Bird made the once impossible journey possible. This was first accomplished by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and 1806 on their historic journey to open the West to a young and eager country. Photographers: Patrick MacQuarrie, River Historian and Naturalist ; Dr. Robert Jason, Guest ; and Kim Nesbitt, Photo Instructor
Dawn broke cold but clear with temperatures in the high 40s and partly cloudy skies. It was wonderful weather for an exploration of the transition zone between the temperate rainforest of the past two days and the shrub-steppe that begins here and dominates the landscape heading east.
Today we had a wonderful introduction to the gorgeous farmland and industry of the Columbia River ecosystem. From experiencing the “Fruit Loop” to a salmon hatchery to a wonderful farm-to-table lunch, it was a beautiful day.
