Hood River, Oregon
Dawn found the National Geographic Sea Bird sailing upriver into the scenic Columbia Gorge. Smoke from forest fires to the east was immediately evident as winds that are so common in the Gorge carried the smoke westward toward us. Here the mighty Columbia, second largest river in contiguous United States, flows beside historic sites, such as Beacon Rock, named by Lewis and Clark.
Following breakfast we gathered on the bow to hear Grace, geologist and naturalist, tell of the dynamic geology of the Gorge as Ospreys soared overhead and Great Blue Herons flapped low over the water. Soon we encountered Bonneville dam and our first lock on our voyage up the Columbia River. We transited the dam by passing through the lock and continued our journey to the Cascade Locks. From the Cascade Locks we traveled by motor coaches along the historic Columbia Gorge Highway to Multnomah Falls. This spectacular waterfall, at 620 feet, is the second highest in North America. Awed by its beauty, we took many photographs of the white water streaming over the edge of the cliff above us and pouring into its plunge pool below.
In the afternoon we became enotourists, visiting three of the many wineries in the Hood River valley. At Mount Hood Winery we tasted wine and enjoyed a sumptuous buffet luncheon on the patio overlooking the vineyards full of ripening grapes and a view of Mt. Hood. The Gorge White House and its pear orchards was next and here we sampled pear wine, relaxed in the shade of great oak trees, and wandered in acres of beautiful flowers where the dahlias were dazzling and the bees were nectaring. At the Cathedral Ridge Winery we were shown the vineyards and then tasted the various wines made here.
Back onboard the National Geographic Sea Bird, this busy day ended with a stimulating talk by our Guest Lecturer, Karen Merrill, on the history of hydropower development on the Columbia River.
