Palouse River
When we awoke this morning, it appeared as if the Sea Bird had left Earth behind, and sailed not just up stream, but to another planet entirely. The landscape on either side of us was so vastly different from what we had seen yesterday. In place of trees and greenery were rolling hills of sage, dun-colored grasses, and massive columnar basalt formations. Blue skies and the first rays of sunshine accompanied us as we gathered on the bow to watch the Sea Bird turn off the mighty Columbia River and on to the Snake River.
Over the course of the morning we transited Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental locks. Naturalists Trip and Lisa’s enthusiasm on the bow had us wandering outside throughout the morning to catch glimpses of a myriad of raptors and water birds. Melding in with the scenery were various barges each carrying thousands of pounds of grain. The further upstream we traveled, the more grain elevators and silos we saw on shore. Trucks unloaded their containers of grain onto the elevators, and golden grain tumbled onto the waiting barges below. Cruising along, we witnessed various characteristics – natural and commercial – that make this part of the country unique.
As we listened to Junius Rochester’s presentation on the Corps of Discovery, the Sea Bird turned on to the Palouse River, the site of our afternoon’s activities. Following lunch, we boarded our Zodiacs, bound for explorations along the river and sightseeing at the impressive Palouse Falls. While traveling to the Palouse Falls, Junius set the stage for the most dramatic scenery we were yet to see. Walking along the edge of jagged cliffs, looking out over the canyons, we were able to visualize the enormous floods that raged through the area thousands of years ago. As the cataclysmic floods raged along, they scoured the land, right down to the rough basalt. We were awed as we gazed out over the carved landscape.
The canyons were just as impressive when viewed from water level as well. Cruising in the Zodiacs and paddling along in a kayak allowed us the opportunity to maneuver right up close to the basalt. The enormous formations dwarfed the cruisers and kayakers passing below them. Mule deer were spotted on the hillsides, while golden eagles and great blue herons soared and swooped above us.
As evening settled in on our private canyon, we were whisked away once more on the Zodiacs – this time to a small park, where a delightful barbecue dinner awaited us. As we sipped wine and savored the delectable dishes, we admitted that it would be quite a stretch to say we were traveling just as the Corp of Discovery did 200 years ago.
When we awoke this morning, it appeared as if the Sea Bird had left Earth behind, and sailed not just up stream, but to another planet entirely. The landscape on either side of us was so vastly different from what we had seen yesterday. In place of trees and greenery were rolling hills of sage, dun-colored grasses, and massive columnar basalt formations. Blue skies and the first rays of sunshine accompanied us as we gathered on the bow to watch the Sea Bird turn off the mighty Columbia River and on to the Snake River.
Over the course of the morning we transited Ice Harbor and Lower Monumental locks. Naturalists Trip and Lisa’s enthusiasm on the bow had us wandering outside throughout the morning to catch glimpses of a myriad of raptors and water birds. Melding in with the scenery were various barges each carrying thousands of pounds of grain. The further upstream we traveled, the more grain elevators and silos we saw on shore. Trucks unloaded their containers of grain onto the elevators, and golden grain tumbled onto the waiting barges below. Cruising along, we witnessed various characteristics – natural and commercial – that make this part of the country unique.
As we listened to Junius Rochester’s presentation on the Corps of Discovery, the Sea Bird turned on to the Palouse River, the site of our afternoon’s activities. Following lunch, we boarded our Zodiacs, bound for explorations along the river and sightseeing at the impressive Palouse Falls. While traveling to the Palouse Falls, Junius set the stage for the most dramatic scenery we were yet to see. Walking along the edge of jagged cliffs, looking out over the canyons, we were able to visualize the enormous floods that raged through the area thousands of years ago. As the cataclysmic floods raged along, they scoured the land, right down to the rough basalt. We were awed as we gazed out over the carved landscape.
The canyons were just as impressive when viewed from water level as well. Cruising in the Zodiacs and paddling along in a kayak allowed us the opportunity to maneuver right up close to the basalt. The enormous formations dwarfed the cruisers and kayakers passing below them. Mule deer were spotted on the hillsides, while golden eagles and great blue herons soared and swooped above us.
As evening settled in on our private canyon, we were whisked away once more on the Zodiacs – this time to a small park, where a delightful barbecue dinner awaited us. As we sipped wine and savored the delectable dishes, we admitted that it would be quite a stretch to say we were traveling just as the Corp of Discovery did 200 years ago.
