Snake and Clearwater Rivers
We braced against a crisp and slightly damp bite in the air for our day of adventure. Whether boarding a jet boat for a river level exploration or cruising the landscape by motor coach for a ride back 200 years, we were eager and ready to get started.
The rivers edge was spattered with early fall colors. Perhaps the dry summer had prompted this early display of waning vibrant foliage. Crimson leaves of red sumac offered a dramatic contrast against the stark brown hills, which prompted more than a few of us to capture the image in a picture. In this photograph, we share with you Lime Hill along the Snake River. It stands at the geologic entrance to Hells Canyon, where the wedding cake layers of basalt end and a tumble of other geologic formations, including this limestone gateway, begin.
A group of wild turkeys along the shoreline caught our interest: they passively roosted atop an old shed and seemed quite oblivious to the roar of our jet boat as we passed by. We encountered a colorful flotilla of river rafters as well and gave the bobbing oar powered crafts the right of way as they came downriver through a small set of rapids. Captain Rob pointed out a number of tributary creeks and told of the days of paddlewheel travel up this river. All that remains now are photos, such as displayed in the small visitors center at Cache Creek, and iron eyebolts still imbedded in the riverside rocks. The eyebolts were part of a system of winching the paddle wheelers up through the rapids. During spring high water, a full head of steam churning the great wheels was not enough to get these boats past the larger rapids.
Those that chose the motor coach option fell into step with Lin Laughy and vicariously followed the Corps of Discovery through several of their camps in Idaho. History never tasted so good as when you listen to Lin share his passion for history while munching on a homemade chocolate biscotti. We ended our day with a visit to the Nez Perce Historical Park. Interpretive Ranger Judy Wohlert walked us through a small but exceptional collection of Nez Perce artifacts.
Back at the ship, the last rays of sun slipped under the cloud cover and bathed the surrounding hills in a golden light…a beautiful end to an exceptionally full day of exploration, and perhaps a promise of a balmy day tomorrow.
We braced against a crisp and slightly damp bite in the air for our day of adventure. Whether boarding a jet boat for a river level exploration or cruising the landscape by motor coach for a ride back 200 years, we were eager and ready to get started.
The rivers edge was spattered with early fall colors. Perhaps the dry summer had prompted this early display of waning vibrant foliage. Crimson leaves of red sumac offered a dramatic contrast against the stark brown hills, which prompted more than a few of us to capture the image in a picture. In this photograph, we share with you Lime Hill along the Snake River. It stands at the geologic entrance to Hells Canyon, where the wedding cake layers of basalt end and a tumble of other geologic formations, including this limestone gateway, begin.
A group of wild turkeys along the shoreline caught our interest: they passively roosted atop an old shed and seemed quite oblivious to the roar of our jet boat as we passed by. We encountered a colorful flotilla of river rafters as well and gave the bobbing oar powered crafts the right of way as they came downriver through a small set of rapids. Captain Rob pointed out a number of tributary creeks and told of the days of paddlewheel travel up this river. All that remains now are photos, such as displayed in the small visitors center at Cache Creek, and iron eyebolts still imbedded in the riverside rocks. The eyebolts were part of a system of winching the paddle wheelers up through the rapids. During spring high water, a full head of steam churning the great wheels was not enough to get these boats past the larger rapids.
Those that chose the motor coach option fell into step with Lin Laughy and vicariously followed the Corps of Discovery through several of their camps in Idaho. History never tasted so good as when you listen to Lin share his passion for history while munching on a homemade chocolate biscotti. We ended our day with a visit to the Nez Perce Historical Park. Interpretive Ranger Judy Wohlert walked us through a small but exceptional collection of Nez Perce artifacts.
Back at the ship, the last rays of sun slipped under the cloud cover and bathed the surrounding hills in a golden light…a beautiful end to an exceptionally full day of exploration, and perhaps a promise of a balmy day tomorrow.
