Nez Perce Country
A full and varied day awaited us as Sea Lion approached the dock this morning in Clarkston, Washington. We enjoyed another hearty breakfast, and then were off on our adventures up the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Blue skies and warm temperatures made for delightful conditions.
Many of us boarded jet boats to venture almost sixty miles father up the Snake, past the Salmon River and into Hell’s Canyon. Steep walls rose endlessly, and the river narrowed, making for spectacular and sublime scenery. Great blue herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks populated the water, while bighorn sheep strolled the cliffs. Blazing through rapids, the powerful boat was deftly skippered by Captain Eric who spotted and described numerous points of local history and lore.
Up the Clearwater was a very different but equally satisfying experience. As we ventured into the hills of western Idaho, we followed in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Standing where some of the most significant events of the journey occurred two hundred one years ago, almost to the day, brought this incredible endeavor to life. This is also the home of the Nez Perce people. Not only were the Nez Perce crucial to the success of Lewis and Clark, they also have a fascinating history and culture, to which we were introduced.
Late afternoon found us returning to Sea Lion, casting off, and beginning our journey down the Snake River and into the sunset.
A full and varied day awaited us as Sea Lion approached the dock this morning in Clarkston, Washington. We enjoyed another hearty breakfast, and then were off on our adventures up the Snake and Clearwater Rivers. Blue skies and warm temperatures made for delightful conditions.
Many of us boarded jet boats to venture almost sixty miles father up the Snake, past the Salmon River and into Hell’s Canyon. Steep walls rose endlessly, and the river narrowed, making for spectacular and sublime scenery. Great blue herons, Canada geese and a variety of ducks populated the water, while bighorn sheep strolled the cliffs. Blazing through rapids, the powerful boat was deftly skippered by Captain Eric who spotted and described numerous points of local history and lore.
Up the Clearwater was a very different but equally satisfying experience. As we ventured into the hills of western Idaho, we followed in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and the Corps of Discovery. Standing where some of the most significant events of the journey occurred two hundred one years ago, almost to the day, brought this incredible endeavor to life. This is also the home of the Nez Perce people. Not only were the Nez Perce crucial to the success of Lewis and Clark, they also have a fascinating history and culture, to which we were introduced.
Late afternoon found us returning to Sea Lion, casting off, and beginning our journey down the Snake River and into the sunset.
