Columbia River
The sky was still dark and stars shown upon the Sea Lion as we transited the last lock on the Snake River. Leaving Ice Harbor Dam we watched the sun come up over the rolling hills of rich farmland and the last of the Snake. The sun warmed us as we turned into the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities and began our last leg of our trip of discovery and exploration.
A small herd of mule deer was getting an early morning drink at the edge of the River and large salmon were jumping to get the early morning insects just as our breakfast was announced. This day was going to be one of quiet reflection aboard the Sea Lion. Observing the changing country, reading in the sun on the top deck, enjoying the conversation of new friends and pondering all we had seen and done occupied most of the guests. All the dams and locks on the Columbia we had transited in darkness during our upstream voyage we now moved through during the daylight hours on our return downstream. We got to see the 700-ton gate of the John Day Lock, which was responsible for the unique journey we had taken on this voyage.
Shortly after breakfast the naturalists, lead by Sharon Grainger, requested that Captain Kalbbach consider letting us stop to view the pictographs just before The Dalles Dam. He gave his permission as long as we were on or ahead of schedule. As we approached Horsethief State Park, the access point for ‘She Who Watches,’ all were on deck searching the rock faces of the basaltic cliffs for her. Perhaps we saw her then it was on to the wonderful elk pictograph further towards the lock (see photo). Second Officer Tina Davis skillfully brought the bow of the Sea Lion directly in front of this ancient painting. All of us were overjoyed to see this unique and question provoking image.
Our historian’s morning talk, highlighting a few of the members of the Corps of Discovery and what happened to them following the return to St. Louis in September of 1806, was complimented by the afternoon multimedia presentation by naturalist, Sharon Grainger, showing Native Americans of many nations in Pow Wow celebrations. This beautiful and thoughtful program helped us to think about the role of Native Americans in the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition and their role in our society today. As the afternoon program ended we began to enter the transition zone from the desert plateau and eastern Cascade region to the green, wet western region that became an obstacle, in itself, for the men of the Corps. Safe and secure aboard the Sea Lion we watched the changing of the Columbia Gorge and drowsed until the Captain’s Cocktail Party.
Renee, our Hotel Manager, organized the tastes of fresh fruit, including many types of apples from Oregon and Washington. Our chef, Lisa, and her staff created a festive and delicious choice of ‘Tastes of The Northwest’ for Captain Kalbach’s party. Our host visited with us until the announcement of dinner. On this, our last night aboard our ship of discovery and unanticipated adventures, was one of fine food, lively conversation and the most wonderful chocolate cake we’ve ever had!
Our thoughts will often turn to what we have seen, learned and the friendships we’ve found on our trip In The Wake Of Lewis And Clark.
The sky was still dark and stars shown upon the Sea Lion as we transited the last lock on the Snake River. Leaving Ice Harbor Dam we watched the sun come up over the rolling hills of rich farmland and the last of the Snake. The sun warmed us as we turned into the Columbia River at the Tri-Cities and began our last leg of our trip of discovery and exploration.
A small herd of mule deer was getting an early morning drink at the edge of the River and large salmon were jumping to get the early morning insects just as our breakfast was announced. This day was going to be one of quiet reflection aboard the Sea Lion. Observing the changing country, reading in the sun on the top deck, enjoying the conversation of new friends and pondering all we had seen and done occupied most of the guests. All the dams and locks on the Columbia we had transited in darkness during our upstream voyage we now moved through during the daylight hours on our return downstream. We got to see the 700-ton gate of the John Day Lock, which was responsible for the unique journey we had taken on this voyage.
Shortly after breakfast the naturalists, lead by Sharon Grainger, requested that Captain Kalbbach consider letting us stop to view the pictographs just before The Dalles Dam. He gave his permission as long as we were on or ahead of schedule. As we approached Horsethief State Park, the access point for ‘She Who Watches,’ all were on deck searching the rock faces of the basaltic cliffs for her. Perhaps we saw her then it was on to the wonderful elk pictograph further towards the lock (see photo). Second Officer Tina Davis skillfully brought the bow of the Sea Lion directly in front of this ancient painting. All of us were overjoyed to see this unique and question provoking image.
Our historian’s morning talk, highlighting a few of the members of the Corps of Discovery and what happened to them following the return to St. Louis in September of 1806, was complimented by the afternoon multimedia presentation by naturalist, Sharon Grainger, showing Native Americans of many nations in Pow Wow celebrations. This beautiful and thoughtful program helped us to think about the role of Native Americans in the success of the Lewis and Clark expedition and their role in our society today. As the afternoon program ended we began to enter the transition zone from the desert plateau and eastern Cascade region to the green, wet western region that became an obstacle, in itself, for the men of the Corps. Safe and secure aboard the Sea Lion we watched the changing of the Columbia Gorge and drowsed until the Captain’s Cocktail Party.
Renee, our Hotel Manager, organized the tastes of fresh fruit, including many types of apples from Oregon and Washington. Our chef, Lisa, and her staff created a festive and delicious choice of ‘Tastes of The Northwest’ for Captain Kalbach’s party. Our host visited with us until the announcement of dinner. On this, our last night aboard our ship of discovery and unanticipated adventures, was one of fine food, lively conversation and the most wonderful chocolate cake we’ve ever had!
Our thoughts will often turn to what we have seen, learned and the friendships we’ve found on our trip In The Wake Of Lewis And Clark.
