Palouse River and Lower Monumental Dam
This gorgeous day started with calm waters as we entered Lower Granite Dam at 1:45am and the Little Goose Dam at 5:15am. As stretch class was getting underway, the National Geographic Sea Bird passed through areas of high basalt bluffs. Great geologic views for all, with promises of more to come…
The adventurous group started our daily excursion with explorations at the mouth of the Palouse River. There was a bus to take hikers, photographers, and sightseers to the Palouse Falls. Hikers found stunning views of the huge falls, natural basalt rifts hosting train tracks, and an amazing river cutting its way through the Columbia basalt-lined canyons. Other scenic observers were in Zodiacs and kayaks scanning for a variety of wildlife.
For the afternoon of cruising and dam adventures, Jason Kelley, our well-spoken onboard geologist, gave a descriptive presentation on basalt structures and other area formations. We entered the Lower Monumental Dam around 2:00pm with the excitement of spectators watching from Zodiacs. Continuing along the Snake River, we came to Ice Harbor Dam around 5:30pm.
Shortly after, beer tasting ensued, gradually followed by dinner. After the dinner hour, with fantastic meals by Head Chef Ryan Foley, contented guests returned to the lounge for a presentation entitled “The Lewis and Clark Menagerie” by Historian Junius Rochester, before retiring to cabins for bedtime.
