When George Vancouver sailed these waters, he saw the land as remote and forbidding; today with blue skies and calm waters, Desolation Sound’s waters were peaceful and gorgeous. We used Zodiacs, kayaks and stand up paddleboards to explore Prideaux Haven’s countless islets and inlets, and we found oystercatchers, kingfishers, harbor seals, moon jellies, and sea stars. In Tenedos Bay we walked among sword ferns and red cedars to Unwin Lake.
4/27/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Astoria, Oregon
We reached the penultimate day of our journey in Astoria, Oregon, where the Columbia River collides with the open ocean. We were met with a typical Pacific Northwest day of gentle rains punctuated by moments of sunshine. The guests were divided to conquer this gem of a city, nestled under bridges; half headed across the river to Washington to visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment, while the other half visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and Astoria Column. The museum and the interpretive center are both excellent examples of what the west coast can offer with regard to history and culture. Each has thoughtful exhibits that cover broad swaths of topics, and are staffed with informative and helpful faculty. After a hearty lunch on board, the groups swapped in order to have the best of both worlds. Finally, all met back aboard for the week’s final recap and guest slideshow.
