Some of us woke up when the bow thrusters advertised our presence in The Dalles lock and dam. Others were awakened by the mellifluous tones of our Expedition Leader at 7 a.m. All of us were in for an exciting day on the lower Columbia River. After a hearty breakfast (we're all going on a fish head and lettuce diet after this trip) we bussed to the Columbia River Discovery Center in The Dalles. The Center is a unique combination of a local historical museum and regional interpretive displays. Both are professionally designed and arranged. Everyone enjoyed the visit, the nature walk, the continuous videos, the café, and yes, the bookstore. Then we split up on separate assignments. Some traveled to Hood River, to shop in this exciting old/new town. (Hood River is a venerable logging and agricultural community, now enjoying a Renaissance due to tourism and, above all, windsurfing.) Others joined a walking excursion led by our knowledgeable naturalist, Sharon Grainger. A few heart souls bicycled along a 4.6 mile stretch of the old Columbia River Highway, constructed in 1913-1915.
Back on the Sea Lion, we embarked on one of the most exciting aspects of our journey, the voyage through the renowned Columbia River Gorge. The Gorge has a history as complex as any, from its geological origins, brilliantly revealed by our touring expert Marvin Beeson, to its early Native American inhabitants, who originated the salmon culture, to Lewis and Clark and the onset of American settlement and commercial development. Today, preservation and promotion vie for priority. We heard a bit about Lewis and Clark from our resident historian, then passed through the locks of Bonneville Dam. The dam was dedicated by the President of the United States, Franklin Roosevelt, on the 28th of September, 1937--65 years and 1 week ago today. Then came Beacon Rock, once nearly crushed for gravel and once nearly sold to Oregon but now a Washington State Park, and at last, the magnificent waterfalls on the Oregon side of the Gorge.
All guests and crew professed satisfaction and excitement over the happenings of today, October 5, 2002.
