Our fun-filled day was spent in the beautiful area of The Dalles and Hood River, Oregon. The sunny and gently warm weather made for clear skies and stunning views of Mount Hood and Mount Adams as we traveled by bus to different locations throughout the day. Our first stop was Rowena Crest Overlook, offering expansive views of the Columbia River and the terrain along its shores. Our next stop was the Mosier Tunnels, where we hiked along the path of the historic Columbia River Highway and through the tunnels that were originally blasted and excavated in 1921. Then we were off to a tasty farm-to-table lunch at Sunshine Mills, the historic wheat mill that provided the flour to make the famous Cheez-Its.
After lunch, we visited the Draper Girls’ Farm, where we tasted some delicious fresh apple cider and a variety of local pears, apples, and jams, and we enjoyed the farm animals and the views of the orchard and Mount Hood on this gorgeous afternoon. Lastly, we were off to the WAAAM Museum, where our eyes and minds were blown by the incredible collection of airplanes, automobiles, and antiques of the past century. We returned to the ship for cocktail hour and recap, met the officers of National Geographic Quest, and enjoyed a delicious dinner in our dining room. Our action-packed day ended with a presentation by naturalist Dan Baldwin, who taught us about the complex life cycle of salmon and their role in the intricate ecology of the Pacific Northwest and the Columbia River.
