Wallula Gap
Brown basalt walls and hidden valleys dominated today’s cruising. Even while the historian and the guest geologist gave talks in the lounge (Lewis & Clark and the Missoula Floods respectively) window shades remained up so that riverside natural features were in view.
Lewis & Clark’s 1805-1806 expedition was reviewed, beginning with a brief survey of the European and American Enlightenment, Imperialism, the fur trade (principally the search for Sea Otter pelts) and Thomas Jefferson’s omnipresence. During the second talk, the stunning, extraordinary Missoula or Bretz Floods were described in anticipation of tomorrow’s visit to the Snake River’s dramatic Hells Canyon.
In the late afternoon, when the Sea Lion passed through Wallula Gap’s narrow passageway, staff pointed out the remains of water marks, hills of covered gravel, and majestic basalt walls that characterized the scene. At this point, it was exciting to point out that the Sea Lion was passing through an aboriginal crossroads - the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers. Twin Sisters, identical basalt matching towers looming on the starboard shore, have been preserved by artists such as Canadian Paul Kane who visited the scene in the 1840s.
Late afternoon bounty from the states of Oregon and Washington was presented at a wine-tasting in the lounge. This display included chocolates, cheeses, smoked sea food, crackers and fruit. Of course superb regional wines were featured – reds at one end of the room; whites at the other. A brief recap summary before dinner offered comment on local wines.
Earlier in the day officers and crew provided a safety drill for guests followed by an explanation of Zodiac use by the Expedition Leader. After dinner a brief video was shown to whet the appetite of guests for the next morning’s Hells Canyon adventure.
Brown basalt walls and hidden valleys dominated today’s cruising. Even while the historian and the guest geologist gave talks in the lounge (Lewis & Clark and the Missoula Floods respectively) window shades remained up so that riverside natural features were in view.
Lewis & Clark’s 1805-1806 expedition was reviewed, beginning with a brief survey of the European and American Enlightenment, Imperialism, the fur trade (principally the search for Sea Otter pelts) and Thomas Jefferson’s omnipresence. During the second talk, the stunning, extraordinary Missoula or Bretz Floods were described in anticipation of tomorrow’s visit to the Snake River’s dramatic Hells Canyon.
In the late afternoon, when the Sea Lion passed through Wallula Gap’s narrow passageway, staff pointed out the remains of water marks, hills of covered gravel, and majestic basalt walls that characterized the scene. At this point, it was exciting to point out that the Sea Lion was passing through an aboriginal crossroads - the Columbia, Snake, Walla Walla, and Yakima rivers. Twin Sisters, identical basalt matching towers looming on the starboard shore, have been preserved by artists such as Canadian Paul Kane who visited the scene in the 1840s.
Late afternoon bounty from the states of Oregon and Washington was presented at a wine-tasting in the lounge. This display included chocolates, cheeses, smoked sea food, crackers and fruit. Of course superb regional wines were featured – reds at one end of the room; whites at the other. A brief recap summary before dinner offered comment on local wines.
Earlier in the day officers and crew provided a safety drill for guests followed by an explanation of Zodiac use by the Expedition Leader. After dinner a brief video was shown to whet the appetite of guests for the next morning’s Hells Canyon adventure.
