After leaving Portland yesterday afternoon and cruising north, downstream, on the Willamette River, National Geographic Quest entered the great Columbia River and turned west toward the river’s mouth and the lovely little town of Astoria. Our day was filled with explorations of the history of the region, beginning with a visit to the excellent Columbia River Maritime Museum. The rest of the day took us to two historic forts on the south side of the estuary: Fort Clatsop, where Lewis and Clark’s Corps of Discovery spent the winter, and Fort Stevens, which is a military battery that defended the entrance to the river in the early 20th Century.
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Walla Walla
The spring campaign for the Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey made its final visit of the season to the wine-loving Walla Walla Valley. Nearly 20 of our guests spent the morning tasting and touring Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla’s ninth-oldest winery. Others visited the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Guests met for lunch at Three Rivers Winery, which is owned by California businessman/philanthropist, William Foley. Bon Appétit Management of Whitman College handled the catering which made for a very tasty meal. Next was a self-guided walking tour of downtown Walla Walla that featured Lindblad-arranged tastings at Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Browne Family Vineyards, Mark Ryan Winery and Rasa Vineyards as well as shopping at the many small businesses along Main Street. Among those favored by guests were Bright’s Candies, Hot Poop Record Store, Pinecone Creamery, and Colville Street Patisserie. Upon returning to National Geographic Sea Bird , after-dinner education featured a presentation titled, ‘Down the Rivers with the Lewis & Clark Expedition’ by historian Robert Heacock.