Hood River, Oregon
The National Geographic Sea Lion sailed upstream on the Columbia River in the wee morning hours. Despite darkness and a chill wind on the foredeck, guests and staff peered towards the Oregon (south) shore to see Multnomah Falls, Oregon’s most famous outdoor attraction. Rock formations were everywhere, including the commanding double wall of Cape Horn on the Washington (north) shore.
After transit through the 65’ foot high Bonneville Dam lock, the ship slipped under the silvery Bridge of the Gods. Within minutes the National Geographic Sea Lion tied up at the stone walls of Cascade Locks. Motor coaches took guests downriver for a close, misty look at 650-foot high Multnomah Falls. After that, guests enjoyed another scenic treat: a brief stop at the high basalt overlook called Rowena Crest. The view east at this point included the river, hairpin turns of the old Columbia River Historic highway, the tip of Mt. Adams in Washington State, snow-mantled Mt. Hood in Oregon, river islands once known by Natives as Memaloose, or place of the dead, and the quaint Washington state village of Lyle.
Outdoor hiking and biking along a stretch of the old highway was next – the famous Mosier Tunnel route. From there guests visited Hood River, a town famous for its apples, winter pears, cherries, wind surfing and colorful main street buildings and shops. After lunch aboard ship, all hands left to explore museums in The Dalles and across the river at Maryhill.
Museums in the Columbia River country display shards of local history in many ways. The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles is comprised of two large buildings, one centered on the history of Oregon’s Wasco County; the other features the Oregon Trail story and the great Columbia River itself. A short motor coach ride across the river to placed us on Washington State Highway 14 eastward to an eccentric, surprising and windswept building known as Maryhill Museum, the inspiration of Gorge legend Sam Hill. The afternoon was spent in the looming shadow of 11,200-foot Mt. Hood.
After arrival at the National Geographic Sea Lion, which was tied up at The Dalles landing, guests were invited to a wine tasting. This culinary event was in fact a salute to cheese, seafood, vegetables, candies, jams, and other items from the bounty of the Pacific Northwest. Recap topics included: the disappearance of Columbia River salmon, the 17th century Fur Trade, and the controversial life of troubadour Woody Guthrie who in song and poetry saluted Columbia River power, dams, workers, salmon and the looming nearby mountains.
