Crow Butte and Columbia River, Washington, 10/16/2024, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Pacific Northwest
A blustery day on the Columbia River couldn’t stop us from enjoying the sights and opportunities for enrichment that abound! Guests of National Geographic Sea Bird chose to learn about geology, photography, wine, and history today. As we voyaged down the Columbia River, we had ample opportunity to hear from our onboard experts- our historian, National Geographic certified photo instructor, wine specialists, and naturalists.
Kerri is a passionate lifelong learner and educator who embraces the world as her classroom. She has worked extensively in international and environmental education around the globe. She is currently a professor at Unity Environmental University in M...
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We passed through Bonneville Lock this morning, the first of eight locks on our river journey. The morning was spent cruising, watching the beautiful scenery go by and listening to presentations from our expedition staff. After lunch, we all went ashore to visit beautiful Multnomah Falls. From there our group split up for afternoon activities. Some visited Bonneville Fish Hatchery and others hiked Beacon Rock, a volcanic plug whose trail features no less than 52 switchbacks. We reunited for a private event at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center where we enjoyed a wine tasting from Syncline Winery and appetizers from Field and Vine. From there we returned to National Geographic Sea Lion to enjoy dinner together. We look forward to another beautiful day on the river tomorrow!
Another delectable day, and the first on the Columbia River, awaited wine aficionados and students of history as they explored the Walla Walla Valley. Guests woke to a bright and crisp morning several hundred yards from the beach of Sacajawea State Park. After a Zodiac voyage and a bus trip, guests were treated to a morning at Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla’s ninth-oldest winery, or the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Both groups met at bucolic Three Rivers Winery for a tour and luncheon led by longtime winemaker Holly Turner. Texas philanthropist William Foley, who earned a law degree at the University of Washington, took control of the winery in 2008. Following lunch, guests could return to National Geographic Sea Bird , explore Fort Walla Walla, or head directly to downtown Walla Walla. There were several treats, including tastings at Browne Family Vineyards, Mark Ryan Winery, and Mercer Estates, as well as complimentary ice cream at nearby Pine Cone Creamery. Acclaimed wine educator/author Mark Oldman arrived from New York and hopped aboard in time for chef Michael Stork’s dinner featuring Draper Valley Farms chicken hindquarter paired with Ponzi Vineyards 2021 pinot noir. Next, esteemed historian Robert Heacock talked about Snake River dams and salmon, then the ship navigated McNary Dam, our first lock on the Columbia River.
