Today we enjoyed another awe-inspiring adventure on the National Geographic Sea Lion, after a tasty breakfast, we boarded the expedition landing crafts for exploration of Hell’s Canyon and the Snake River. We were treated to an informative 50-mile tour of the spectacular features of the canyon including petroglyphs, big horn sheep, turkeys, herons and many ducks and gull species. We spent a lovely lunch hour at the Garden Creek Nature Conservancy area roaming amongst the orchard and taking photos of the sandy beach there. The tour included visiting the site where Lewis and Clark’s Sgt. Ordway’s party acquired some salmon to bring back to the famished main party, much to their relief at least at first but much to their dissatisfaction when it turned out the undried, unsmoked fish made them all violently ill. We learned about the Nez Perce trail in the area and the early homesteaders of the canyon.
Before jet boats came up the canyon a mail carrier boat was the main supplier of essentials for the residents of Hell’s Canyon, a reminder of how important the life line of mail service can be for residents of remote rural areas. We observed parties of rafters floating down from the dam area fighting headwinds but nevertheless enjoying the early fall Indian summer weather. After a brief stop back on board the National Geographic Sea Lion we boarded a bus and headed to the nearby Nez Perce National Historic Site where we learned about the Ni Mii Pu (Nez Perce) culture and their current efforts to restore the salmon runs on the Clearwater River. We toured the center and viewed artifacts from their collection dating back hundreds of years including one rare artifact given to the tribe by Lewis and Clark.
We also learned about Chief Joseph and his flight to Canada which ended tragically but which spoke to the legacy of the Nez Perce people and their efforts to preserve their language and cultural heritage.
After another especially delicious dinner, we viewed the blood moon eclipse over dessert on the deck and toasted to a marvelous and memorable trip aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion. We viewed the excellent video production of our chronicler as well as the guests’ favorite photos from the voyage. Happy trails to all aboard--- safe travels and Godspeed to everyone, it was a pleasure traveling the trail with you!
