Upbound on the Columbia River
Our adventure began at the very first glimmer of dawn’s light as we approached John Day lock and dam. Wrapped in cozy layers against the morning chill, we watched the starry sky above the lock walls lighten into a pink sunrise as the Sea Lion was lifted a hundred feet and at the top we were presented with a soft view of Mt. Hood in the beautiful early light.
As the undulating Columbia River basalts on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains unfolded before us, our irrepressible historian Jerry Igo brought tales of the Corps of Discovery as they canoed, camped and met with the native inhabitants along these river banks two centuries ago. The weather changed from sun to foggy filigree and back to sun again while the landscape moved from stark rocky outcrops to the autumnal tints of the riparian area around the Blalock Islands. A large flock of white pelicans floated upward in the distance and three bald eagles hoped for a lame duck.
This luxurious day of river cruising was studded with delightful bits- we locked up in McNary lock and dam in Zodiacs, talked about salmon- the king of fish, arrived at the confluence of the Columbia and the Snake Rivers during an orangey sunset; enjoyed a stunning taste of the wines and specialty foods of the area, and were guided among the constellations as we cruised through dark and remote regions of the Snake River canyon. All in all, what a wonderful first day!
Our adventure began at the very first glimmer of dawn’s light as we approached John Day lock and dam. Wrapped in cozy layers against the morning chill, we watched the starry sky above the lock walls lighten into a pink sunrise as the Sea Lion was lifted a hundred feet and at the top we were presented with a soft view of Mt. Hood in the beautiful early light.
As the undulating Columbia River basalts on the eastern side of the Cascade Mountains unfolded before us, our irrepressible historian Jerry Igo brought tales of the Corps of Discovery as they canoed, camped and met with the native inhabitants along these river banks two centuries ago. The weather changed from sun to foggy filigree and back to sun again while the landscape moved from stark rocky outcrops to the autumnal tints of the riparian area around the Blalock Islands. A large flock of white pelicans floated upward in the distance and three bald eagles hoped for a lame duck.
This luxurious day of river cruising was studded with delightful bits- we locked up in McNary lock and dam in Zodiacs, talked about salmon- the king of fish, arrived at the confluence of the Columbia and the Snake Rivers during an orangey sunset; enjoyed a stunning taste of the wines and specialty foods of the area, and were guided among the constellations as we cruised through dark and remote regions of the Snake River canyon. All in all, what a wonderful first day!
