Cruising the Columbia River
It was a beautiful, clear and sunny day on the Columbia River. We started the day off early by passing through the Bonneville Dam at 2:00am. Wake-up call was at 6:45am as we were rising up at the Dalles Dam. The morning was cloudy and overcast, but we had warm breezes joining the participants of stretch class. The sun came out mid-morning while curious onlookers gathered on the starboard side of the National Geographic Sea Bird to view the excitement at the John Day Dam.
The variety of activities today included talks by knowledgeable staff members, but there was a good majority of time catching sun and sights on the decks. Our historical genius, Junius Rochester, gave a humorously detailed talk on Lewis and Clark followed by lunch and the Lindblad clothing sale.
The afternoon brought another informational talk on the topic of photography with Alberto Montaudon-Ferrer. The hands on “photo essentials” instruction helped guests learn and practice the different settings on their camera equipment. Just in time to go back on the decks and witness the American white pelicans taking flight from the chamber walls of the McNary Dam and fish ladder. Entering here at 5:00pm, this was the last dam on the Columbia River for the day!
To finish our gorgeous day outside, the hotel manager, Anna Marie Becker-Hoover, continued the theme of local edibles by offering a plethora of Pacific Northwestern wine and Oregon artisan cheese as Junius had lasting remarks for recap. Then off to dinner and a relaxing evening.
