Columbia River Gorge
The National Geographic Sea Bird sailed east through the night, and we awakened shortly before sunrise to gray skies, 48°F, and a sprinkling mist. Towards the end of breakfast the PA crackled with Geologist Grace’s excited voice: “Elk on the port side! Come out on deck with your cameras and binoculars!” The captain slowed the ship as we passed a herd of 30 elk with half dozen bulls grazing along the northern bank. What a treat to see these magnificent yet elusive creatures. We spent the next hour feasting our senses on nature’s bounty along the banks of the Columbia River Gorge on approach to the Bonneville Dam… great blue herons, cormorants, bald eagle, “flagged” trees—with branches only on the eastern side due to the strong westerly winds that move through the gorge. We began to see evidence of moving into the drier climate of the rain-shadow east of the Cascade Mountain Range…ponderosa pines and Oregon white oaks; cliffs of columnar basalt; and waterfalls, a prelude to our excursion later in the morning. After transiting Bonneville Dam, we boarded motor coaches and headed out along the scenic highway to get a closer look at two beautiful waterfalls. All started with a visit to Multnomah Falls, the nation’s second tallest continuous waterfall. From there a dozen adventurous folk took a more rigorous trail up to the smaller but no less beautiful Ponytail Falls. I couldn’t help but breathe deeply the crisp rain-freshened autumn air. Ahhhhhh…
The rest of our day was devoted to enjoying the fruits of the Columbia River Gorge watershed. Literally. First stop: Hood River Winery for wine tasting and bountiful buffet lunch complete with mulled apple cider and heated spiced pears, both grown on the premises. After lunch a stroll through the orchard brought us to the neighboring property, historic Gorge White House, where tastings on offer were pears, pear wine, and blueberry wine. Late afternoon options included a final wine tasting at Cathedral Ridge Winery, trips into the town of Hood River for strolling and shopping, and returning to the ship for some R&R. All aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in time for cocktails, evening recap, Dungeness crab feast, and volcano geology talk during coffee and locally grown apple crisp dessert. What a glorious day here in the Gorge! And did I mention—we lucked out with the weather—smatterings of clouds, rain, fog, sun, clouds, rain, sun, clouds—all day… and most of those raindrops fell in between our activities and destinations.
