Clarkston, Washington
It was a full day of exploration for guests aboard National Geographic Sea Lion, both historical and geographical in nature. The day rose brisk, but dry, a welcome respite from the rain the day before. The vessel had made good time with the wind on her stern, and we were approaching Clarkston for an 8:00am docking. We nestled in to the downstream section of the dock as we would be sharing it with another vessel today, the paddle-wheeler Empress of the North. After breakfast, we headed out for the day.
One group, roughly half of us, followed the path of the Corps of Discovery by visiting local sites where the Corps had stopped 203 years ago. Local expert Lin Laughy led us along the Clearwater River to the exact spot where the Corps had crossed it, near their Long Camp of 1806. Here, they waited for the snow to melt in the Bitterroot Mountains before continuing the journey east to home. We visited the spot where the Corps met Chief Broken Arm and the site of Canoe Camp, where the Corps fashioned the canoes used on the 1805 voyage to the sea. A highlight of the day was visiting with Lee Hamilton, an expert in outdoor survival skills. He demonstrated some of the techniques the Corps would have mastered in their time of the wilderness, then we tried our hand at rope-making and fire-starting.
Meanwhile the other half of the group was voyaging up the Snake River via jetboat, venturing into Hell’s Canyon. The carved walls of the canyon loomed high above, higher at some points than the Grand Canyon. Keen eyes kept lookout for wildlife and were rewarded with several sightings; mule deer, bighorn sheep, eagles, hawks, and steelhead.
Both groups reunited at the Nez Perce National Historic Park, where the history of these people is handsomely illustrated. We learned of their history in the area and of the hospitality they gave to Lewis & Clark.
After a full day, we returned to the bright lights and comfort of the National Geographic Sea Lion. Clarkston is the eastern-most port call of our voyage. From here out, all paths will lead to the sea!
It was a full day of exploration for guests aboard National Geographic Sea Lion, both historical and geographical in nature. The day rose brisk, but dry, a welcome respite from the rain the day before. The vessel had made good time with the wind on her stern, and we were approaching Clarkston for an 8:00am docking. We nestled in to the downstream section of the dock as we would be sharing it with another vessel today, the paddle-wheeler Empress of the North. After breakfast, we headed out for the day.
One group, roughly half of us, followed the path of the Corps of Discovery by visiting local sites where the Corps had stopped 203 years ago. Local expert Lin Laughy led us along the Clearwater River to the exact spot where the Corps had crossed it, near their Long Camp of 1806. Here, they waited for the snow to melt in the Bitterroot Mountains before continuing the journey east to home. We visited the spot where the Corps met Chief Broken Arm and the site of Canoe Camp, where the Corps fashioned the canoes used on the 1805 voyage to the sea. A highlight of the day was visiting with Lee Hamilton, an expert in outdoor survival skills. He demonstrated some of the techniques the Corps would have mastered in their time of the wilderness, then we tried our hand at rope-making and fire-starting.
Meanwhile the other half of the group was voyaging up the Snake River via jetboat, venturing into Hell’s Canyon. The carved walls of the canyon loomed high above, higher at some points than the Grand Canyon. Keen eyes kept lookout for wildlife and were rewarded with several sightings; mule deer, bighorn sheep, eagles, hawks, and steelhead.
Both groups reunited at the Nez Perce National Historic Park, where the history of these people is handsomely illustrated. We learned of their history in the area and of the hospitality they gave to Lewis & Clark.
After a full day, we returned to the bright lights and comfort of the National Geographic Sea Lion. Clarkston is the eastern-most port call of our voyage. From here out, all paths will lead to the sea!
