Columbia River Gorge
Today’s picture shows low clouds wreathing the line of peaks bordering the Columbia River Gorge, adding nature’s artistic trimming to an already attractive area.
Voyagers aboard the Sea Bird greeted the new day just above The Dalles Dam, where Mt. Hood seemed to float majestically on the western horizon. Oregon’s highest mountain wore a cloak of new fallen snow, which changed from white to pink as the sunrise progressed.
At The Dalles we boarded buses for a trip to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the overlook at Rowena Crest, and a section of the old Columbia River Highway restored for use by hikers and bikers. We all rendezvoused with the Sea Bird in Hood River. While we ate lunch we commenced our cruise through the most scenic portion of the Columbia River Gorge, where the Great River of the West passes through the Cascade Mountains. At historic Cascade Locks, Oregon, we again boarded a motor coach for a short trip to scenic Multnomah Falls, one of the highest in the United States. Back on board the Sea Bird we continued through Bonneville Dam, last of the dams we have locked through on this voyage. Proceeding through the remainder of the Columbia Gorge we encountered pelting rain and a noticeable drop in temperature, a challenging combination that sent most of us inside to enjoy the scenery through the ship’s windows. We concluded the daylight hours by sampling locally grown apples and pears in the warmth and good company available in the Sea Bird’s lounge.
Today’s picture shows low clouds wreathing the line of peaks bordering the Columbia River Gorge, adding nature’s artistic trimming to an already attractive area.
Voyagers aboard the Sea Bird greeted the new day just above The Dalles Dam, where Mt. Hood seemed to float majestically on the western horizon. Oregon’s highest mountain wore a cloak of new fallen snow, which changed from white to pink as the sunrise progressed.
At The Dalles we boarded buses for a trip to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, the overlook at Rowena Crest, and a section of the old Columbia River Highway restored for use by hikers and bikers. We all rendezvoused with the Sea Bird in Hood River. While we ate lunch we commenced our cruise through the most scenic portion of the Columbia River Gorge, where the Great River of the West passes through the Cascade Mountains. At historic Cascade Locks, Oregon, we again boarded a motor coach for a short trip to scenic Multnomah Falls, one of the highest in the United States. Back on board the Sea Bird we continued through Bonneville Dam, last of the dams we have locked through on this voyage. Proceeding through the remainder of the Columbia Gorge we encountered pelting rain and a noticeable drop in temperature, a challenging combination that sent most of us inside to enjoy the scenery through the ship’s windows. We concluded the daylight hours by sampling locally grown apples and pears in the warmth and good company available in the Sea Bird’s lounge.
