Hat Rock
As we travel up the Columbia River on the Sea Bird, soaking up the autumn sunshine, we approach a landmark well noted by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. On October 19, 1805, nearly one hundred ninety-seven years ago, the Corps of Discovery was making its way downriver, on the way to the Pacific Ocean. Captain Clark noted a prominent outcrop of volcanic basalt rising on the south side of the river. “Why, it looks just like a tall beaver hat,” he commented. Thus was born the name of what became an Oregon State Park, and it has been known these many years as Hat Rock.
As we tour in “The Wake of Lewis and Clark” on Lindblad Expedition’s ship we are seeing many places where the Corps of Discovery traveled. Such locations as where Captain Clark, on October 18, 1805 stood on a high ridge and observed far to the west a conical snow-covered mountain peak that was eventually determined to be Mount Hood. Another place where, on the return trip, they stopped and held an extended party with Chief Yellept, before he helped them cross the Columbia River and sent them on their way toward home. All along the way, the awareness that we feel a link to them across the many years, gives special significance to our pleasurable tour.
As we travel up the Columbia River on the Sea Bird, soaking up the autumn sunshine, we approach a landmark well noted by the Lewis and Clark Expedition. On October 19, 1805, nearly one hundred ninety-seven years ago, the Corps of Discovery was making its way downriver, on the way to the Pacific Ocean. Captain Clark noted a prominent outcrop of volcanic basalt rising on the south side of the river. “Why, it looks just like a tall beaver hat,” he commented. Thus was born the name of what became an Oregon State Park, and it has been known these many years as Hat Rock.
As we tour in “The Wake of Lewis and Clark” on Lindblad Expedition’s ship we are seeing many places where the Corps of Discovery traveled. Such locations as where Captain Clark, on October 18, 1805 stood on a high ridge and observed far to the west a conical snow-covered mountain peak that was eventually determined to be Mount Hood. Another place where, on the return trip, they stopped and held an extended party with Chief Yellept, before he helped them cross the Columbia River and sent them on their way toward home. All along the way, the awareness that we feel a link to them across the many years, gives special significance to our pleasurable tour.
