Hells Canyon and Clarkston, Oregon, 10/19/2017, National Geographic Sea Bird
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Bird
Pacific Northwest
We’ve traveled more than 400 miles from the Pacific and are about 735-feet above sea level. We can take the National Geographic Sea Bird no farther up the shallow river, so we load into jet boats to travel another 35 miles and 300-feet in elevation to the confluence of the wild Salmon River in Idaho. What an expedition!
Jeff Litton is a dedicated advocate for our planet, igniting a passion within people to cherish our Earth. His circuitous journey involves leading individuals into the untamed wilderness, where he unveils the hidden splendor of the natural world. Jef...
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Today we awoke at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia River. After a quick Zodiac cruise to Sacajawea Park, we made our way through the wheat fields and rolling hills into “the town so nice, they named it twice”, Walla Walla, Washington. Many guests took the opportunity to visit the Whitman Mission, while others found their way to the Airport District, an old historic WWII Army hanger to visit Dunham Cellars for a curated wine tasting, and we even got the unique opportunity to enjoy a picture window into the harvest work happening in the cellar. Next, we all reconvened at Three Rivers Winery. We were welcomed and hosted by winemaker Holly Turner and her husband Andy. We enjoyed a beautifully catered lunch with paired wines, a cellar tour, and enjoyed the inviting landscape. Our last stop was a trip to the Fort Walla Walla Museum, or the chance to visit the historic downtown with wine tastings at three unique spots, including Mercer Estates where we savored their reserve cabernet and estate almonds. A great evening was capped off with a discussion about the Palouse earthworm and plans to enjoy the river tomorrow.
Another warm, sunny autumn day greeted us as National Geographic Sea Bird cruised to the confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers. It was here where guests disembarked for coach cruises to Palouse Falls, the state waterfall of Washington. The Falls tower high above the gorge below where gulls, doves, and vultures soar. After taking in those views, guests returned to the rivers for a cruise up the Palouse. This cruise is one of the natural history staff’s favorite operations of the trip. Along the banks, great blue herons wade while dragonflies hunt the bevy of insects that skim the vegetation-covered shoreline. Above these creatures belted kingfishers and red-tailed hawks fill the air with a chorus of shrieks and rattles. This grand, natural spectacle takes place against a phenomenal backdrop of the basaltic hills of the channeled scablands. Following our morning operations, National Geographic Sea Bird cruised west on the Snake. A presentation on photography and a wine tasting were among the options for the afternoon, as was enjoying the quiet scenery of Eastern Washington.
We were blessed with gorgeous, sunny weather for our first full day of excursions on the river! We visited Waikiki Beach in Cape Disappointment and took in the spectacular sight of the Pacific Ocean as well as an installment of the Confluence Project by Maya Lin. From there we visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, a museum with beautiful views of the mouth of the Columbia, to learn more about these explorers. We also explored Astoria today, visiting the Columbia River Maritime Museum and the Astoria Column. Some of us climbed the 164 stairs inside the column and were rewarded with panoramic views at the top! Tonight, we sail away from the Pacific, up the Columbia River and into more adventures tomorrow!
