Cruising Upriver
Cruising upriver on the Columbia – a meandering daytime adventure between John Day Dam (Columbia River) and Ice Harbor Dam (Snake River) – guests traveled through High Desert country, much of it protected by basalt hills. The lake-like river, spread out by a series of trapped reservoirs, is the result of dams and deep protective hills. At each dam guests were invited on deck – and the weather cooperated – to hear staff members describe the unique locking procedures and the undulating surrounding terrain. At this time of year (late September to mid-March) terraces and hills appear barren and uniformly brown in color, but when the river rises and light rains move in, everything becomes green and greener.
During late morning, Historian Junius Rochester gave a talk entitled “Mr. Jefferson and Captain Lewis.” The overriding themes of his presentation described background and rationale for the Corps of Discovery westward trek (and return). Mid-afternoon, Photographic Instructor/Naturalist Linda Burback’s presentation focused – the right word – on how to enjoy taking pictures of this bountiful and scenic country. Later in the afternoon, Naturalist Grace Winer provided tips about appreciating and recognizing geological features of Eastern Washington and Oregon.
Here’s a sampling of eastward attractions:
Lewis & Clark‘s “Long Narrows” (a two-mile-long wild westward ride) and the site of Celilo Falls (the greatest salmon fishery the world has ever known), are now inundated by backwater from The Dalles Dam; Maryhill Museum on the high hills of Washington State, the creation of road builder and entrepreneur Sam Hill; Blalock Islands, the “memaloose” or burial grounds for generations of river Indians; softly rolling fields of winter and spring wheat, sugar beets, lentils, potatoes, vineyards, corn and onions; the high walls of Walula Gap, which once caused flood waters to pool for miles 15,000-100,000 years ago, and the site of historic Fort Nez Perce/Fort Walla Walla which rested in the shadow of a famous geological oddity called “Twin Sisters.”
To conclude a day cruising and learning, Washington and Oregon cheeses and wines were served by stewards as the National Geographic Sea Bird approached the Snake River.
