Palouse River
Sunrise found the Sea Bird dropping anchor at the mouth of the Palouse River. A chill breeze rolled off the water. A few ducks flew overhead. Zodiacs and kayaks were lowered from the ship into the water, and a day of excitement began. As guests slipped on their life jackets and went aboard the Zodiacs, a buzz of anticipation accompanied them. We headed upriver. In a quiet cove, we found cliff swallow nestsplastered against a basalt rock wall. Farther along, a young buck deer walked along the riverbank. Chukar partridges whirred overhead. An osprey wheeled aloft, surprised that we should have invaded his territory. Around a bend of the river we came upon a glassy stretch of water that reflected the image of spectacular rock cliffs.
Some places in this world are meant to be heavily traveled. Sidewalks, freeways, and airports are some of them. Some places are meant to provide solitude for contemplation. The deep canyon of the Palouse River is one of those. We were privileged to experience a bit of that solitude today, while traveling in the Wake of Lewis and Clark.
Sunrise found the Sea Bird dropping anchor at the mouth of the Palouse River. A chill breeze rolled off the water. A few ducks flew overhead. Zodiacs and kayaks were lowered from the ship into the water, and a day of excitement began. As guests slipped on their life jackets and went aboard the Zodiacs, a buzz of anticipation accompanied them. We headed upriver. In a quiet cove, we found cliff swallow nestsplastered against a basalt rock wall. Farther along, a young buck deer walked along the riverbank. Chukar partridges whirred overhead. An osprey wheeled aloft, surprised that we should have invaded his territory. Around a bend of the river we came upon a glassy stretch of water that reflected the image of spectacular rock cliffs.
Some places in this world are meant to be heavily traveled. Sidewalks, freeways, and airports are some of them. Some places are meant to provide solitude for contemplation. The deep canyon of the Palouse River is one of those. We were privileged to experience a bit of that solitude today, while traveling in the Wake of Lewis and Clark.
