Columbia Basin, 10/16/2024, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Pacific Northwest
We spent the day cruising east along the Columbia River, passing through two locks, the Dalles and John Day Locks. Our journey took us through the Dalles, a place of great historical significance, once a major fishing site for Indigenous peoples. Now, the river’s landscape tells a tale of both natural forces and human intervention, as we move from the Cascade Mountains into the Columbia Basin plains.
Growing up along the coastal environment of San Diego, Shannon started her first volunteer job at a local nature center at the age of six. Since then, she has built her personal life and professional career around connecting with nature. She received...
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This morning, we cruised through spectacular scenery of mountains and trees shrouded in clouds as we made our way up the Columbia River. Before lunch we went through the first lock of our trip at Bonneville Dam. After a delicious midday meal, we left the ship behind for adventures ashore. We visited the 620-foot-tall Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. After that we split into groups, with some choosing to visit Bonneville Fish Hatchery and others opting for a hike at Beacon Rock. We finished our time ashore at the Columbia Gorge Museum where we were treated to a wine tasting from Syncline Winery and delicious appetizers from Field and Vine. We returned to National Geographic Sea Bird for a well-deserved dinner after another wonderful day in the Pacific Northwest.
The first full day of our voyage was spent in Astoria, the oldest city in Oregon and the oldest American settlement west of the Rocky Mountains. In town, we visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and learned about the fascinating seafaring history of this area. From there we visited Coxcomb Hill and the Astoria Column for panoramic views of the town and river below. The other half of our day was spent in neighboring Washington state at Cape Disappointment. We visited Waikiki Beach and saw an installment from Maya Lin’s Confluence Project. From there we continued to the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center for the full story on the famous explorers. During dinner we left the dock and continued up the Columbia toward Hood River for more adventures tomorrow!
We awoke anchored at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, National Geographic Sea Lion perfectly framed by the Ed Hendler and Pioneer Memorial Bridges. Departing shortly after breakfast, everyone headed to shore for a full day of adventure, education, and indulgent wine tasting. Once ashore, some of us headed to Seven Hills Vineyard for an exclusive tour while others explored the rich cultural history of Fort Walla Walla. We reconvened at the stunning Seven Hills Tasting Room in downtown Walla Walla for a spectacular lunch and our first tasting of the day. After lunch we split up again, with options for excursions ranging from wine tasting to ice cream sampling, shopping, and a visit to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Our Zodiac rides back to the ship were perfectly timed with the sunset, making for a beautiful end to a busy day exploring the Pasco and Walla Walla area. After yet another exceptional wine and dinner pairing by Wine Specialist Kristine, a sporty game of Pacific Northwest Trivia ensued!
