Last evening, after hearing of the travails of Lewis and Clark at the camp they called “that dismal nitch,” we found our doughty National Geographic Sea Bird to be sailing into buffeting winds and lashing rain. So lucky we felt to be snug in our warm, dry cabins. This morning finds us docked at Cascade Locks, still with a dose of Pacific Northwest weather as rain is pouring down, but the wind has subsided.
We are delighted to see the rain stop as we board our motor coaches for the drive to Rasmussen’s Farm. We cross the Hood River and head up along the orchard and vineyard-lined road. It is easy to see why this road is part of the so-called “fruit loop.” This area is famous for its pears, apples, and wineries. At the farm the air is rain-washed and clean, squashes of different varieties and colors fill large bins, and candied apples and popcorn are for sale along with jams and fruit butters. Bright orange pumpkins still lie thick in the field with the antique Allis-Chalmers tractor.
On our way back to the ship some of us choose to visit a fish hatchery where a favorite thing to see is a giant white sturgeon. Many of us go into the charming riverside town of Hood River and enjoy the renovated buildings and excellent variety of shops. Later we all arrive back at our ship for a delicious lunch before heading out for our afternoon adventure—and what an adventure it turns out to be!
We drive along the picturesque Historic Columbia River Highway on our way to spectacular Multnomah Falls. The recent rain has the falls pouring over the high precipice from whence it roars in a cloud of mist to its plunge pool below. As we gaze at and photograph this amazing spectacle the wind rises and rain and hail begin to fall. Soon the wind is howling through the trees, the air before the falls is filled with swirling yellow big-leaf maple leaves, and the treetops are bending and whipping in the wind. Now, accompanied by lightning and thunder, the rain falls in a wind-driven torrent. The wind is so strong it blows the waterfall sideways!
Back on board we dry out and go out on deck to witness our passage through the lock at Bonneville Dam, our last lock for this voyage. We sail now on the free-flowing Columbia River. Here we see salmon entering their spawning streams and being pursued by red-breasted mergansers. California sea lions are also here for the salmon and we see five bald eagles—also fish-eaters. Another rain squall drives most of us from the deck while a few of the more determined photographers aim their cameras at a stunning scene of clouds, sun, and crepuscular rays.
