It is hard to beat October in Idaho, Washington, and Oregon, the three states through which we traveled by jet boats from Clarkston up the Snake River and deep into the heart of Hells Canyon. As is typical for this time of the year, the day started out on the chilly side but warmed up nicely by noon when we ate lunch at the northern entrance to the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. Weather for the return to Clarkston, where the Sea Lion was docked, was absolutely balmy.

Hells Canyon, which ranks as one of the deepest gorges in North America, also forms one of the most spectacular state borders in the United States--dividing Idaho to the east from Washington and Oregon to the West. Not only is Hells Canyon an area of complex geological features and major political boundaries, but the portion south of the confluence of the Snake and Salmon rivers marks the dividing line between the Mountain and Pacific time zones. Thus it was possible for half the guests riding in a jet boat to be an hour behind the other half. Whatever the time or weather, as a day of exploration it was close to perfection.