The Dalles and Hood River, 4/27/2023, National Geographic Sea Lion
Aboard the
National Geographic Sea Lion
Pacific Northwest
Spring has arrived in the Pacific Northwest. The open meadows are spattered yellow with arrowleaf balsam root, the hillsides are verdant green, and the magnificent leaves of big leaf maple are not so big right now, as they unfurl fresh and delicate from their protective buds.
We took advantage of this magnificent spring day and walked amongst the wildflowers at Rowena Crest and again at the Mosier Tunnels. The flowers were a feast for eyes and cameras and the air was filled with bird song.
The Draper Girls Farm was a stunning foreground element for the viewing of Mount Hood. Clear skies and balmy temperatures made for a memorable day exploring the Hood River Valley.
Born in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, Linda and her Air Force family moved extensively throughout the U.S. when she was a child. Linda continues to travel and explore a broader spectrum of the world as a naturalist with Lindblad Expeditions-National Geogr...
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Shift change between day and night happened slowly this morning. With the autumnal equinox not far behind us, the moon reluctantly gave way to the dawn. Light played between the layers of clouds, setting a beautiful scene for our day on the Palouse River. For the morning, we set off towards the iconic Palouse Falls. This feature stands on its own as a scenic destination alongside incredible views of the channeled scablands. An epic cascade falling nearly two-hundred feet, the rush of water gave us plenty of opportunity to practice the photography skills we learned the night prior. Raptors and migrant songbirds flitted about and soared overhead, adding a wild touch to the landscape. The best way to explore the Palouse River is by boat. We took to our Zodiacs in the afternoon to plow upriver, peeking into the details of what the water might share with us. In the cracks of the basalt, former nests of swallows and spiders dotted the columns. Along the scree slopes, sumac showed its beautiful fall red blush. Raptors circled overhead in an impressive variety, the highlights being a late season Swainson’s hawk and a pair of peregrine falcons harassing a red-tailed hawk. Wildlife added a vibrant element to this epic area. With such a wonderful day full of exploration behind us, we look to tomorrow with anticipation for what this majestic river has to offer us.
The first day of our expedition started with a bang with our jetboat trip into Hells Canyon. In 1806, Lewis and Clark also entered this region, and we may have seen the same vistas as they did over 200 years ago. We viewed petroglyphs that are estimated to be around 2,000 years old. This 5,000-foot gorge offered breathtaking views and wildlife. In the afternoon, we welcomed aboard guest speaker Mr. James Spence, a Nez Perce representative, and Dr. Coco Umiker for an afternoon winetasting! It was an absolutely incredible day, and we cannot wait to see what the rest of the trip brings.
Sailing upstream on the Snake River between dark, rugged cliffs of basalt trimmed out with the golden grasses of autumn, we arrive at our destination and anchor at the confluence of the Snake and the Palouse Rivers. On this brisk and beautiful day, we Zodiac to shore and set out on motor coaches to the beautiful Palouse Falls. This is where the Palouse River flows over a precipice of basalt and plummets into its roiling green plunge pool 198 feet below. We have plenty of time here for strolling and photographing the stunning scenery from the falls to the magnificent Palouse Canyon downstream. Under a partially cloudy sky this afternoon, the gorgeous Palouse Canyon awaits us, and we launch our Zodiacs for a ride upstream on the Palouse River. Bold basalt cliffs rise steeply on either side of the river where eagles soar overhead, and we keep an eye out for deer, coyotes, pheasants, and other wildlife in the area. This is perhaps the most beautiful part of our journey, and the scenery is unsurpassable.
