Columbia River
During the night, we sailed east through the Cascades and made our way into the arid region of eastern Washington and Oregon. Just after breakfast, we got an extra lift from the John Day Dam. Gaining another 105 feet, we pushed on up the river. Off the stern of the ship, Mount Hood stood out bathed in pinks and blues.
Throughout the day as we cruised, fields of wheat and stone fruit irrigated by the Columbia, created swaths of color over the parched landscape. Tall poplar trees stood out (in the other wise low lying vegetation)standing watch over the giant groves in case of high winds.
Late in the afternoon, we continued through the stretch of water know as Lake Umatilla. Scattered throughout these waters are the Blalock Islands. These small vegetated islands surrounded by shallow water provide great roosting and feeding habitat for thousands of migrating birds. American coots and Western grebes were out dining on small fish while geese and ducks dabbled along the shore.
Just before dinner, the Sea Lion passed through the confluence of the Snake and Columbia River and we continued our eastward journey towards Clearwater country.
During the night, we sailed east through the Cascades and made our way into the arid region of eastern Washington and Oregon. Just after breakfast, we got an extra lift from the John Day Dam. Gaining another 105 feet, we pushed on up the river. Off the stern of the ship, Mount Hood stood out bathed in pinks and blues.
Throughout the day as we cruised, fields of wheat and stone fruit irrigated by the Columbia, created swaths of color over the parched landscape. Tall poplar trees stood out (in the other wise low lying vegetation)standing watch over the giant groves in case of high winds.
Late in the afternoon, we continued through the stretch of water know as Lake Umatilla. Scattered throughout these waters are the Blalock Islands. These small vegetated islands surrounded by shallow water provide great roosting and feeding habitat for thousands of migrating birds. American coots and Western grebes were out dining on small fish while geese and ducks dabbled along the shore.
Just before dinner, the Sea Lion passed through the confluence of the Snake and Columbia River and we continued our eastward journey towards Clearwater country.
