Walulla Gap from the bow of the Sea Bird
Sometimes a river voyage can contain all the elements of a dramatic adventure. Once in a while the combination of wind in your face, sunlight flashing across the waves, and rugged cliffs capped by swiftly moving clouds can combine to make your spirits surge. Such was this day on the Columbia River as the Sea Bird made its way east after greeting the sunrise near the John Day Dam. The pleasant surprise of seeing Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep on the steep cliffs brought us to attention. White pelicans, osprey, and Caspian terns caught our interest as well.
Throughout the day thoughts of another river voyage nearly two hundred years ago came to us. When Lewis and Clark and the crew of the voyage of discovery traveled this same route, their thoughts may have resonated somewhat differently. They were tired, footsore, wet, and hungry. We are rested, comfortable, dry, and well fed. They were many months from home. We are in the first full day of our adventure. There is a common thread however. We are seeing a magnificent place in the company of fine people, and so were they. We understand that by learning everything we can about the land and water, the skies and vegetation, the culture and heritage of this place, we will have made ourselves better. Those bold travelers such a long time ago knew this as well and we are all richer for it.
Sometimes a river voyage can contain all the elements of a dramatic adventure. Once in a while the combination of wind in your face, sunlight flashing across the waves, and rugged cliffs capped by swiftly moving clouds can combine to make your spirits surge. Such was this day on the Columbia River as the Sea Bird made its way east after greeting the sunrise near the John Day Dam. The pleasant surprise of seeing Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep on the steep cliffs brought us to attention. White pelicans, osprey, and Caspian terns caught our interest as well.
Throughout the day thoughts of another river voyage nearly two hundred years ago came to us. When Lewis and Clark and the crew of the voyage of discovery traveled this same route, their thoughts may have resonated somewhat differently. They were tired, footsore, wet, and hungry. We are rested, comfortable, dry, and well fed. They were many months from home. We are in the first full day of our adventure. There is a common thread however. We are seeing a magnificent place in the company of fine people, and so were they. We understand that by learning everything we can about the land and water, the skies and vegetation, the culture and heritage of this place, we will have made ourselves better. Those bold travelers such a long time ago knew this as well and we are all richer for it.
