Columbia River Gorge
Morning found the Sea Bird cruising through low mists created by cool air and warm waters. Our vessel was headed for a short morning tie-up just below the Dalles lock and dam. This dam raises the Columbia River about 90 feet to create Lake Celilo, which stretches 234 miles upstream. Nearby was the famous Celilo falls which was one of the most important salmon fishing sites on the river and for countless generations was the meeting point and trading center for different Indian tribes from all over the Northwest. The falls are now under more than 50 feet of water, forever silencing the roar of water and the sound of many trading celebrations once held at the trade sight called Wishram...
Once we were docked at the Dalles Marina, we found a motor coach awaiting our arrival to take us to the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County museum. There we found displays that explain the geology, climate, biology, and human history of the gorge. From here we traveled to Rowena Point Outlook 800 feet above the river for a spectacular view both east and west along this great river of the west.
Our busses then continued for a closer look at the dramatically layered and terraced cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River pierces through the Cascade Mountain range and the basalt cliffs on either side can reach heights over 4,000 feet. Along these cliffs the Columbia River Scenic Highway winds its way through some of the most impressive scenery in the whole state of Oregon. Nearly 70 miles of this old highway have been restored for hikers and bikers. Today we divided into several groups and enjoyed a variety of walks, from five miles to a leisurely stroll, heading for the Moiser Tunnels with a return to our motor coach and shopping possibilities in the community of Hood River.
After a return to the Sea Bird for a warm lunch, we returned to the Scenic Highway and the greatest concentration of waterfalls in North America. Horse tail Falls was our first stop. Big leaf maples were shedding the dinner-plate sized leaves in front of a cascade of water spilling down nearly 200 feet of basalt cliff. Our next stop was Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural sight in the state of Oregon....from a cliff 620 tall, we watched water cascade into a small plunge pool and then fall over a second ledge and down into a small creek that emptied into the Columbia River. The cliffs were decorated with Big leaf maples adding fall color to a wonderful scene. We continued our journey west on the Scenic Highway slowing down for views of Wahkeena and Latourell Falls and then began a slow climb to the western end of the Columbia River Gorge for a view from Crown Point and Vista House. On this fine clear day, we could see both east and then west, into the setting sun along this great river of the west.....a place where Lewis and Clark passed nearly 200 years ago heading for the end of their westerly journey at the Pacific Ocean.
Morning found the Sea Bird cruising through low mists created by cool air and warm waters. Our vessel was headed for a short morning tie-up just below the Dalles lock and dam. This dam raises the Columbia River about 90 feet to create Lake Celilo, which stretches 234 miles upstream. Nearby was the famous Celilo falls which was one of the most important salmon fishing sites on the river and for countless generations was the meeting point and trading center for different Indian tribes from all over the Northwest. The falls are now under more than 50 feet of water, forever silencing the roar of water and the sound of many trading celebrations once held at the trade sight called Wishram...
Once we were docked at the Dalles Marina, we found a motor coach awaiting our arrival to take us to the Columbia River Gorge Discovery Center and Wasco County museum. There we found displays that explain the geology, climate, biology, and human history of the gorge. From here we traveled to Rowena Point Outlook 800 feet above the river for a spectacular view both east and west along this great river of the west.
Our busses then continued for a closer look at the dramatically layered and terraced cliffs of the Columbia River Gorge. The Columbia River pierces through the Cascade Mountain range and the basalt cliffs on either side can reach heights over 4,000 feet. Along these cliffs the Columbia River Scenic Highway winds its way through some of the most impressive scenery in the whole state of Oregon. Nearly 70 miles of this old highway have been restored for hikers and bikers. Today we divided into several groups and enjoyed a variety of walks, from five miles to a leisurely stroll, heading for the Moiser Tunnels with a return to our motor coach and shopping possibilities in the community of Hood River.
After a return to the Sea Bird for a warm lunch, we returned to the Scenic Highway and the greatest concentration of waterfalls in North America. Horse tail Falls was our first stop. Big leaf maples were shedding the dinner-plate sized leaves in front of a cascade of water spilling down nearly 200 feet of basalt cliff. Our next stop was Multnomah Falls, the most visited natural sight in the state of Oregon....from a cliff 620 tall, we watched water cascade into a small plunge pool and then fall over a second ledge and down into a small creek that emptied into the Columbia River. The cliffs were decorated with Big leaf maples adding fall color to a wonderful scene. We continued our journey west on the Scenic Highway slowing down for views of Wahkeena and Latourell Falls and then began a slow climb to the western end of the Columbia River Gorge for a view from Crown Point and Vista House. On this fine clear day, we could see both east and then west, into the setting sun along this great river of the west.....a place where Lewis and Clark passed nearly 200 years ago heading for the end of their westerly journey at the Pacific Ocean.
