Umatilla
Our first day on the Columbia River was full of activities. A delay waiting for tug and barge traffic at John Day Lock and Dam offered us the opportunity to see the lock chamber in morning light. Once we left the lock the Sea Bird continued east for several hours towards our next lock, McNary. As we cruised we learned about the motivations for the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific Northwest. It was an important expedition for many reasons; one of the most pressing was to simply fill in the map from the Missouri country to the mouth of the Columbia. There was also a chance to learn about the edible botanicals that in some cases helped the corps and in others made them quite sick. Along the way many great sights were had, including the tugs and barge designs used on this river, the fields that make the area so rich agriculturally, and the amazing basalt cliffs we passed and photographed as the ship cruised through Wallula Gap during the setting sun.
It was a great day of learning and experiencing that we are sure to continue this week on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Our first day on the Columbia River was full of activities. A delay waiting for tug and barge traffic at John Day Lock and Dam offered us the opportunity to see the lock chamber in morning light. Once we left the lock the Sea Bird continued east for several hours towards our next lock, McNary. As we cruised we learned about the motivations for the Lewis and Clark expedition to the Pacific Northwest. It was an important expedition for many reasons; one of the most pressing was to simply fill in the map from the Missouri country to the mouth of the Columbia. There was also a chance to learn about the edible botanicals that in some cases helped the corps and in others made them quite sick. Along the way many great sights were had, including the tugs and barge designs used on this river, the fields that make the area so rich agriculturally, and the amazing basalt cliffs we passed and photographed as the ship cruised through Wallula Gap during the setting sun.
It was a great day of learning and experiencing that we are sure to continue this week on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
