Hood River & Columbia River Gorge
As if knowing that today we will be transitioning into a new and lusher ecosystem, Mother Nature has graced us with much water from above. Traveling closer to the coast, there becomes an obvious increase in rainfall. Along with this added moisture, the number and species diversity of vegetation also grows. We spent the early day exploring the golden leafed and basaltic sculpted landscape before crossing the Cascade Mountain Range and entering into the waterfalls and greenery of the western river gorge as we begin our approach towards the Pacific.
With a terrific view of the Sea Bird tying up at the top of The Dalles lock we were shuttled across the river to explore the history of the area as shaped by forces of nature and the will of man alike. The Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center offered us a look back into times past. We returned to the prehistoric, when this area was covered in ice and molten lava. We helped Lewis and Clark organize all the supplies they would need for their successful journey to the west. We looked into the storefronts of the first Americans that colonized this area and the labor and livelihoods that it supported.
A brisk walk along sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway provided us with misted views of the river and its surrounding valley. The Frisbee sized leaves of the big leaf maple and elongated needles of the Ponderosa pine guided our way to the Mosier Twin Tunnels and beyond. In the town of Hood River we were free to explore this community, famous for its extreme winds that shape the growth of trees and attract windsurfers from afar.
We have spent the last several days making our way past a multitude of dams via their associated system of locks. Today we were able to get a first hand tour of the inner workings of these mega structures at the Bonneville Dam. The revolving of the massive turbines harnesses the power of water and eventually turns it into electricity for the surrounding populations.
Even the cover of darkness couldn’t stop this determined group of guests and crew from adventuring till the very end. The day’s finale was the surrealistic sight of Multnomah Falls shrouded in rain drops and highlighted by the searchlights from the Sea Bird’s bridge.
As if knowing that today we will be transitioning into a new and lusher ecosystem, Mother Nature has graced us with much water from above. Traveling closer to the coast, there becomes an obvious increase in rainfall. Along with this added moisture, the number and species diversity of vegetation also grows. We spent the early day exploring the golden leafed and basaltic sculpted landscape before crossing the Cascade Mountain Range and entering into the waterfalls and greenery of the western river gorge as we begin our approach towards the Pacific.
With a terrific view of the Sea Bird tying up at the top of The Dalles lock we were shuttled across the river to explore the history of the area as shaped by forces of nature and the will of man alike. The Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center offered us a look back into times past. We returned to the prehistoric, when this area was covered in ice and molten lava. We helped Lewis and Clark organize all the supplies they would need for their successful journey to the west. We looked into the storefronts of the first Americans that colonized this area and the labor and livelihoods that it supported.
A brisk walk along sections of the Historic Columbia River Highway provided us with misted views of the river and its surrounding valley. The Frisbee sized leaves of the big leaf maple and elongated needles of the Ponderosa pine guided our way to the Mosier Twin Tunnels and beyond. In the town of Hood River we were free to explore this community, famous for its extreme winds that shape the growth of trees and attract windsurfers from afar.
We have spent the last several days making our way past a multitude of dams via their associated system of locks. Today we were able to get a first hand tour of the inner workings of these mega structures at the Bonneville Dam. The revolving of the massive turbines harnesses the power of water and eventually turns it into electricity for the surrounding populations.
Even the cover of darkness couldn’t stop this determined group of guests and crew from adventuring till the very end. The day’s finale was the surrealistic sight of Multnomah Falls shrouded in rain drops and highlighted by the searchlights from the Sea Bird’s bridge.
