Palouse River
This morning’s surroundings on the Palouse River were so serene and beautiful, it was difficult to comprehend the violent floods that ripped through the same spot thousands of years ago, creating the dramatic landscape. Known as the Bretts’ floods, these successive floods rushed over the land, scouring the soil, leaving jagged cliffs stripped to the columnar basalt. What was once a ravaged countryside was now our peaceful playground. We explored the river valley via Zodiac and kayak, appreciating the warm sunshine as it dispersed the morning mist. Several lucky kayakers watched as a doe and a buck mule deer swam across the river to the far bank.
Those who joined the excursion to the Palouse Falls a few miles away were allowed a different perspective - not from the water level, but from above. Although the Palouse Falls now are nowhere near as forceful as they once were several thousand years ago, they are still quite breathtaking. Following the course of the river as it plunged over the falls and wound through the landscape, one could better visualize the force of the historic flood waters as they raced across the region.
Our afternoon passed as enjoyably as our morning: the Sea Lion locked through Lower Monumental Dam, turning back onto the Snake River. In between ice cream sundaes and a presentation from our historian Jim, we relaxed on deck and in our cabins. As the sun set, we passed through Ice Harbor Dam and soon rejoined the Columbia River, making way for tomorrow’s explorations through the Columbia Gorge.
This morning’s surroundings on the Palouse River were so serene and beautiful, it was difficult to comprehend the violent floods that ripped through the same spot thousands of years ago, creating the dramatic landscape. Known as the Bretts’ floods, these successive floods rushed over the land, scouring the soil, leaving jagged cliffs stripped to the columnar basalt. What was once a ravaged countryside was now our peaceful playground. We explored the river valley via Zodiac and kayak, appreciating the warm sunshine as it dispersed the morning mist. Several lucky kayakers watched as a doe and a buck mule deer swam across the river to the far bank.
Those who joined the excursion to the Palouse Falls a few miles away were allowed a different perspective - not from the water level, but from above. Although the Palouse Falls now are nowhere near as forceful as they once were several thousand years ago, they are still quite breathtaking. Following the course of the river as it plunged over the falls and wound through the landscape, one could better visualize the force of the historic flood waters as they raced across the region.
Our afternoon passed as enjoyably as our morning: the Sea Lion locked through Lower Monumental Dam, turning back onto the Snake River. In between ice cream sundaes and a presentation from our historian Jim, we relaxed on deck and in our cabins. As the sun set, we passed through Ice Harbor Dam and soon rejoined the Columbia River, making way for tomorrow’s explorations through the Columbia Gorge.
