Columbia River Gorge
Early risers started the day with a rare glimpse of Mount Hood, as the Sea Bird made her way to The Dalles. It was a beautiful beginning to a day that wonderfully intermingled the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge with history of Lewis and Clark’s adventures. We left the ship just after breakfast for a morning drive along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. We made our first stop at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, an excellent display showcasing the natural and cultural history of the region. As we wandered through the different rooms of the museum, we gained a better understanding of the river’s geological origins and the people who first ventured to this region. A particular highlight was the excellent Lewis and Clark cargo exhibit, recreating the supplies and cargo carried by the explorers. It reminded many of us of the logistical ease we have in packing our bags for adventures today with ultra-lightweight clothing, all-in-one tools, etc…Many of us ended our morning at the museum with a ranger-led wildflower walk on the museum’s property. It was an excellent precursor to our late morning walk.
We made our way along the scenic highway to Mosier, stopping at Rowena Crest for a spectacular view of the gorge. We spent the end of our morning walking along a path that was once the original scenic highway, now closed to vehicular traffic. Wildflowers abounded as we made our way to the historic Mosier Tunnels. We then met the busses and continued along the highway to Hood River, perusing gift shops filled with local jams, micro-brewed beers and regional crafts.
In the afternoon, we stopped at Bonneville Dam and its excellent visitors center. We had a chance to witness the salmon making their way up the fish ladder. Though fewer in number this year, we still saw some spring Chinook heading upriver. We also took a tour of the Power House, learning all about how the dam’s turbines generate electricity and distribute it to the surrounding communities.
Just before cocktail hour, the Sea Bird cruised past Multnomah Falls, just west of Portland. Plummeting 680 feet to the ground, the Falls are the number one natural tourist destination in Oregon. Quintessential Oregonian weather created temporary falls along the gorge walls, creating a series of smaller cascades to augment the majestic Multnomah Falls.
Early risers started the day with a rare glimpse of Mount Hood, as the Sea Bird made her way to The Dalles. It was a beautiful beginning to a day that wonderfully intermingled the beauty of the Columbia River Gorge with history of Lewis and Clark’s adventures. We left the ship just after breakfast for a morning drive along the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. We made our first stop at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, an excellent display showcasing the natural and cultural history of the region. As we wandered through the different rooms of the museum, we gained a better understanding of the river’s geological origins and the people who first ventured to this region. A particular highlight was the excellent Lewis and Clark cargo exhibit, recreating the supplies and cargo carried by the explorers. It reminded many of us of the logistical ease we have in packing our bags for adventures today with ultra-lightweight clothing, all-in-one tools, etc…Many of us ended our morning at the museum with a ranger-led wildflower walk on the museum’s property. It was an excellent precursor to our late morning walk.
We made our way along the scenic highway to Mosier, stopping at Rowena Crest for a spectacular view of the gorge. We spent the end of our morning walking along a path that was once the original scenic highway, now closed to vehicular traffic. Wildflowers abounded as we made our way to the historic Mosier Tunnels. We then met the busses and continued along the highway to Hood River, perusing gift shops filled with local jams, micro-brewed beers and regional crafts.
In the afternoon, we stopped at Bonneville Dam and its excellent visitors center. We had a chance to witness the salmon making their way up the fish ladder. Though fewer in number this year, we still saw some spring Chinook heading upriver. We also took a tour of the Power House, learning all about how the dam’s turbines generate electricity and distribute it to the surrounding communities.
Just before cocktail hour, the Sea Bird cruised past Multnomah Falls, just west of Portland. Plummeting 680 feet to the ground, the Falls are the number one natural tourist destination in Oregon. Quintessential Oregonian weather created temporary falls along the gorge walls, creating a series of smaller cascades to augment the majestic Multnomah Falls.
