Last night the National Geographic Sea Bird docked and overnighted at The Dalles, Oregon. This morning we were enthusiastically greeted and welcomed by The Floozies and friends as we disembarked for our short ride to the Columbia River Discovery Center. During our orientation, a beautiful adult bald eagle soared by the picture windows that look out onto the Columbia River. Exhibits depict prehistoric mega-fauna, the Lewis and Clark Expedition, the Oregon Trail, and early local history of The Dalles. Outside, paths wind through native vegetation, signed with many of the plants that were first brought to the attention of science by Lewis and Clark. Fall colors were supplemented by their reflections in the nearby pond.
Later in the morning various options included a nature walk and raptor show at the Discovery Center, a lovely bike ride or walk along the river back to the ship, or a history tour of The Dalles with our “twistorian,” Don, and local guide Dolores. The tour visited Rock Fort, the Lewis and Clark encampment, The Dalles Fort, and Scorisis Park, which overlooks The Dalles and The Dalles Dam. The motor coach also passed by some of the Victorian homes and historic buildings in this quaint town.
After lunch we re-boarded our comfortable motor coaches and crossed over to the Washington side of the river to visit Maryhill Museum. This stark building, a life-long vision of a man named Sam Hill, houses an eclectic assortment of effects that include Rodín sculptures, a French fashion doll collection, elaborate chess sets made of various materials, and wonderful Native American baskets and other cultural articles.
We also had time to visit a replica of Stonehenge, another of Sam Hill’s monuments, which commemorates war veterans from Klickitat County. During our absence, the National Geographic Sea Bird transited through the Dalles Dam and sent our inflatable expedition craft to pick us up at Maryhill State Park.
Before Recap and dinner, our vessel cruised into the lock at John Day Dam for a lift of about 105 feet in a single chamber. The sunset and Mount Hood behind us was an exceptional photo opportunity.
Today was a special day in history; we passed through the Lewis and Clark “vortex.” The Corps of Discovery passed from east to west on Oct. 11, 1805, as our expedition passed from west to east on Oct. 11, 2013. At 11:11 a.m. the vortex aurora appeared on the horizon and engulfed the area of our mutual passage. The vortex aurora vanished at 6:11 p.m. as both groups passed through each other, near the Mount Hood Divide, and became one. This once in a lifetime event was witnessed and felt by three of our expedition’s members, and shared with the group through their testimonies. Also, on Oct. 11, 1809, Meriwether Lewis died under mysterious circumstances.
