The Palouse and Snake Rivers
I awoke today to a placid Palouse River filled with bright sunshine and only a faint breeze to complement the warm, summer-like temperature. The Sea Bird was firmly anchored, but the Zodiacs were in full tilt, transporting guests to shore where they’d take a short bus ride to Palouse falls, located a few miles up the Palouse River. From here our guests embarked on a variety of walks that would eventually take them to the top of the falls, where everyone got a birds eye view of the formation and the surrounding terrain of eastern Washington. Other guests enjoyed kayaking the almost glass-like river and the few tributaries it offers.
In the early afternoon guests were treated to a buffet-style picnic outside on our 100 level, while the Sea Bird weighed anchor to begin the journey back down the Snake River to the confluence with the Columbia. At 240 pm the Sea Bird was cleared to enter the lock and tie up at the Lower Monumental Dam. The watch officer decided on a port side landing, so the line was tossed over the bollard once, and then a second time for a secure mooring once inside the lock, and in position. The guillotine lock gates closed, as naturalist Linda Burback entertained (and educated) guests with her vast knowledge of the lock system and its history while we took a ride down the 100 feet or so it would take us to be level with Lake Sacajawea.
Once at the bottom of the lock, the massive guillotine gate slowly rises, while blinding rays of sunshine glare off the pond like water, and all over the ship and its guests. The Sea Bird exits, and makes its way downstream to our last lock on the Snake River. Meanwhile our guests move inside for some much deserved R and R, as the expedition staff prepares an afternoon lecture. I think everyone can say it’s been a good day.
I awoke today to a placid Palouse River filled with bright sunshine and only a faint breeze to complement the warm, summer-like temperature. The Sea Bird was firmly anchored, but the Zodiacs were in full tilt, transporting guests to shore where they’d take a short bus ride to Palouse falls, located a few miles up the Palouse River. From here our guests embarked on a variety of walks that would eventually take them to the top of the falls, where everyone got a birds eye view of the formation and the surrounding terrain of eastern Washington. Other guests enjoyed kayaking the almost glass-like river and the few tributaries it offers.
In the early afternoon guests were treated to a buffet-style picnic outside on our 100 level, while the Sea Bird weighed anchor to begin the journey back down the Snake River to the confluence with the Columbia. At 240 pm the Sea Bird was cleared to enter the lock and tie up at the Lower Monumental Dam. The watch officer decided on a port side landing, so the line was tossed over the bollard once, and then a second time for a secure mooring once inside the lock, and in position. The guillotine lock gates closed, as naturalist Linda Burback entertained (and educated) guests with her vast knowledge of the lock system and its history while we took a ride down the 100 feet or so it would take us to be level with Lake Sacajawea.
Once at the bottom of the lock, the massive guillotine gate slowly rises, while blinding rays of sunshine glare off the pond like water, and all over the ship and its guests. The Sea Bird exits, and makes its way downstream to our last lock on the Snake River. Meanwhile our guests move inside for some much deserved R and R, as the expedition staff prepares an afternoon lecture. I think everyone can say it’s been a good day.
