The Columbia River
In preparation for travel, we can read volumes of books on the natural and cultural history of an area. But nothing can compare to immersing yourself in the landscape. That is exactly what we have done this past week while we traveled west down the Columbia River to Astoria, Oregon and then east to Lewiston, Idaho. We embraced quiet moments reclined and relaxed in deck chairs, basking in the autumnal sun and watching the world go slowly by; we embraced “river time.” A pace that allowed us to soak in all we have learned this past week and continue to appreciate the dramatically bared landscape. Taking the time to appreciate where you are while you are there has great value.
The landscape and history of this area has been as eclectic a mix as the pioneers and personalities that have inhabited it. Our experiences have been diverse and varied as well: We have felt the rise and fall of Pacific Ocean swell when we approached the Columbia River bar our first morning. A line of Rocky Mountain big horn sheep studiously ignored us while they fed riverside yesterday afternoon. Was it a social commentary that they presented their fuzzy white backsides to us? Did the eagle we saw diving on coots on the Palouse River ever get its meal? Why did the stark landscape east of The Dalles appeal so much to a visionary such as Sam Hill?
A book can start to prepare you for a visit, but there are some things that even the books cannot anticipate. A day slowly cruising downriver, with the luxury of time and the occasion of opportunity for reflection is a great approach for appreciating where you are while you’re there.
In preparation for travel, we can read volumes of books on the natural and cultural history of an area. But nothing can compare to immersing yourself in the landscape. That is exactly what we have done this past week while we traveled west down the Columbia River to Astoria, Oregon and then east to Lewiston, Idaho. We embraced quiet moments reclined and relaxed in deck chairs, basking in the autumnal sun and watching the world go slowly by; we embraced “river time.” A pace that allowed us to soak in all we have learned this past week and continue to appreciate the dramatically bared landscape. Taking the time to appreciate where you are while you are there has great value.
The landscape and history of this area has been as eclectic a mix as the pioneers and personalities that have inhabited it. Our experiences have been diverse and varied as well: We have felt the rise and fall of Pacific Ocean swell when we approached the Columbia River bar our first morning. A line of Rocky Mountain big horn sheep studiously ignored us while they fed riverside yesterday afternoon. Was it a social commentary that they presented their fuzzy white backsides to us? Did the eagle we saw diving on coots on the Palouse River ever get its meal? Why did the stark landscape east of The Dalles appeal so much to a visionary such as Sam Hill?
A book can start to prepare you for a visit, but there are some things that even the books cannot anticipate. A day slowly cruising downriver, with the luxury of time and the occasion of opportunity for reflection is a great approach for appreciating where you are while you’re there.
