Hood River, 10/28/2021, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Pacific Northwest
Morning dawned with great colors and a rainbow over the ship – what could start a day better? We embarked for Rowena Crest and Mosier tunnels where we hiked to the tunnels and generally had a grand time. We observed hundreds of bird life such as black capped chickadees who were out in their large numbers and a peregrine falcon.
In the afternoon, we visited Draper Girls Farm and Western Museum of Automobiles and Aeronautics. We had a great visit to the museum greatly enjoying the displays and the interpretation from the volunteers. We also had a huckleberry milkshake. How could it be better!
Owen B Walker was born in Moab, Utah and raised in very rural North Idaho. He graduated high school in Palmer, Alaska, where Northwest Native Art first stirred his soul. After achieving a degree in Sociology/Anthropology from Western Washington Unive...
Steve began watching whales in 1986 off the California coast, far from his North Dakota homeland. A long the way he studied natural history at the Evergreen State College in Washington state (1982) and has been busy ever since working as an environme...
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We started our crisp and sunny morning with a ride into the boat basin at Sacajawea Historical State Park. The park is home to the October 16-17, 1805 campsite of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, and also the Confluence Project Story Circles installed by the acclaimed artist, Maya Lin. As this is a Food and Wine expedition, we departed for Dunham Cellars, with some passengers going to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. This is the scene of the tragic 1847 encounter between the missionaries and local natives. The setting for all our activities was at the base of the Blue Mountains, which was lush with the growth of spring. Dunham Cellars was enjoyed for their acclaimed cabernet sauvignon, syrah, and chardonnay. Everyone then met at Three Rivers Winery for a catered lunch with wine tasting and an enjoyable bask in the warm sun, supplemented by frisbee golf, corn hole contests, and relaxing on the deck. The afternoon was spent at Fort Walla Walla Museum and downtown Walla Walla. Fort Walla Walla has many exhibits from the late 1800s to early 1900s, including a full-sized diorama of a team of 33 mules used to move the large wheat combines. This was the practice prior to mechanization in this highly productive wheat area. Walla Walla is a wonderful town with a vibrant wine scene and bustling commercial district, which allowed for more wine tasting and shopping, including wine ice cream.
National Geographic Sea Bird sailed into Crow Butte in the early morning while guests on the bow enjoyed viewing the Columbia River, which forms the border between Washington and Oregon. Guests had the option of an aerobic hike, nature hike, photo hike, and history walk around Crow Butte and Crow Butte Campground. The beauty of the area awed guests, sporting views of local vineyards, dams, wildlife refuges, and the dry sagebrush-step ecosystem that dominates the area. Guests spied a variety of wildflowers and birds of prey, including spotting a golden eagle. After hiking, guests enjoyed a hot beverage on shore brought by National Geographic Sea Bird’s hospitality team, followed by an informal chat on food, wine, and energy by Naturalist Patrick MacQuarrie and Wine Expert Eric Degerman. After lunch, the ship transited the McNary Dam and Lock, the last one on the Columbia River. Guests were treated to an expert presentation on geology by Naturalist Kyle Bowman, and ‘Lewis and Clark Lead to World’s No.1 Wine’, presented by Wine Expert Eric Degerman. The evening concluded with cocktail hour, traditional recap, and dinner while sailing through the Wallula Gap.
We began the day by transiting Bonneville Dam, the first lock of our river journey. This experience was complimented by presentations and commentary from our naturalists before we went ashore at Hood River. Our first stop was Multnomah Falls, the tallest waterfall in Oregon. Following this natural wonder, our guests had the option of hiking Beacon Rock or going to Bonneville Fish Hatchery. Beacon Rock provided an enjoyable yet challenging uphill hike, while the fish hatchery offered insight into the process of raising salmon to supplement wild populations. The two groups reunited once more at the Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center, where we were treated to a wine tasting by Sincline Vineyards and a beautiful spread of appetizers from Field & Vine. From there, we returned to National Geographic Sea Bird for dinner, followed by a presentation from Cultural Specialist Patrick. We look forward to another great day on the river tomorrow!