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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The final day of our trip holds a bounty of natural beauty, as guests disembark National Geographic Sea Bird in Clarkston, Washington, and hop aboard the preferred mode of transportation on the Snake River: the mighty jet boat. The shallow rapids of Hells Canyon are none-too-kind to propellers, so the locals use these shallow-draft vessels for daytrips into the nation’s deepest river canyon. Punctuated by pit stops at nature reserves and eateries, the day’s adventure showcases the very best of Idaho, Washington, and Oregon all in one place. Once all have had their fill of steep basalt cliffs and Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, the jet boats turn and head downriver to deliver guests safely back to National Geographic Sea Bird . Following an afternoon siesta, the day’s activities culminate in presentations from two exceptional local personalities. J.R. Spencer is a Nez Perce storyteller who takes one back in time with traditional Indigenous tales; Coco Umiker is the owner and founder of Clearwater Canyon Vineyards in Lewiston, Idaho. They both take time to come aboard our ship and present to guests about their respective trades and passions.
The penultimate day aboard National Geographic Sea Bird and its culinary immersive exploration of the Columbia and Snake Rivers featured play and wonder along the Palouse River. A brisk morning ride in a trio of rigid inflatable watercraft across the Snake River to Lyons Ferry State Park served as a gateway to 200-foot Palouse Falls and upriver tours of the Palouse River. Naturalists introduced guests to the Channeled Scablands, historic Marmes Rockshelter, nesting raptors, canyon wren, and a colony of American white pelicans sporting their caruncles. As luck would have it, the 20-mph morning winds died down, enticing intrepid kayakers to ply the waters of Marmes Pond. After emerging from lock at Little Goose Dam, Mississippi-reared executive chef Eddie McField Jr. added yet another chapter to his delectable array of Pacific Northwest-inspired cuisine. Among the entrées was the Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay-Poached Wild Caught Pacific Sablefish, presented on a purée of black lentils grown in the nearby Palouse. The dish elevated the Dusted Valley Vintners 2021 Olsen Vineyard Chardonnay from Washington’s Yakima Valley. Evening education featured an entertaining presentation titled “Birds of the Columbia River” by cultural specialist Kyle Bowman.
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.