Columbia River Gorge
Fall fogs followed the Sea Bird as she made her way down river. We continued traveling in the wake of the Corps of Discovery, heading for a small marina located just below the Dalles Lock and Dam. It was at the Dalles marina where Sea Bird slowed and began her positioning dockside. Once we were tied up, the engines were silenced, and our morning activities commenced at 8:30.
At the top of the ramp two luxury busses awaited our departure for our early appointment at 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. Included in the displays was an outstanding exhibit on the cargo taken by Lewis and Clark on the epic journey across the North American Continent. Stacked in the hallways were the exact items loaded into boxes, wrapped in tarps, just as this cargo might have appeared just before loading onto a myriad of transportation. From St. Louis to Fort Clatsop portions of this cargo found its way all the way across the continent.
Through the mists our busses continued, taking us west along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway towards the Rowena Crest. Eight hundred feet above the river, we had a spectacular view both east and west along this the “Great River of the West,” as it flowed through the Cascade Mountain range. We were above the mists, and the view was magnificent! The winding road was decorated with the bright yellow leaves of big leaf maple and Oregon scrub oak mixed with wonderful views and the crisp air of fall.
Long and short walks were offered, along with bike rides and a chance to visit the local communities before a return to the Sea Bird for lunch. Before we reached Bonneville Dam, we returned to our busses, and in the beautiful light of the late afternoon, we returned to the scenic highway for a visit to Multnomah Falls. The leaves fell gently as we took photos of the falls and enjoyed the bright blue sky of this still fall day in the Columbia River Gorge.
Returning to the Sea Bird, we could all feel a sense of celebration... It was a big day for the crew for the Sea Bird. Our ship was underway to our last lock and dam on the Columbia River. The Bonneville Lock and Dam was just ahead and as it is a Lindblad tradition to assemble on deck for the throwing of the last line onto the floating bollard inside the lock. Our boatswain, Laci Barnett, was responsible for this superstitious but auspicious toss... If the ships line circled the floating bollard in a well executed toss, it means good luck for the weather on our repositioning trip and good luck for whales during the winter season in Baja.
“It’s a big day, it’s a big day Laci, and you have our lives in your hands...” The toss was superb, our boatswain did not show the least sign of nerves, her toss was flawless! With the cheers of the crew, staff and guests, the Sea Bird was secured inside the first lock on the Columbia River and the sixteenth lock during our river journey following in the wake of Lewis and Clark. Once we had descended 70 feet the gates opened and the Sea Bird entered the free flowing Columbia River on her way towards the mighty Pacific Ocean, and the winter camp of the Corps of Discovery.
Fall fogs followed the Sea Bird as she made her way down river. We continued traveling in the wake of the Corps of Discovery, heading for a small marina located just below the Dalles Lock and Dam. It was at the Dalles marina where Sea Bird slowed and began her positioning dockside. Once we were tied up, the engines were silenced, and our morning activities commenced at 8:30.
At the top of the ramp two luxury busses awaited our departure for our early appointment at 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. Included in the displays was an outstanding exhibit on the cargo taken by Lewis and Clark on the epic journey across the North American Continent. Stacked in the hallways were the exact items loaded into boxes, wrapped in tarps, just as this cargo might have appeared just before loading onto a myriad of transportation. From St. Louis to Fort Clatsop portions of this cargo found its way all the way across the continent.
Through the mists our busses continued, taking us west along the Columbia River Gorge Scenic Highway towards the Rowena Crest. Eight hundred feet above the river, we had a spectacular view both east and west along this the “Great River of the West,” as it flowed through the Cascade Mountain range. We were above the mists, and the view was magnificent! The winding road was decorated with the bright yellow leaves of big leaf maple and Oregon scrub oak mixed with wonderful views and the crisp air of fall.
Long and short walks were offered, along with bike rides and a chance to visit the local communities before a return to the Sea Bird for lunch. Before we reached Bonneville Dam, we returned to our busses, and in the beautiful light of the late afternoon, we returned to the scenic highway for a visit to Multnomah Falls. The leaves fell gently as we took photos of the falls and enjoyed the bright blue sky of this still fall day in the Columbia River Gorge.
Returning to the Sea Bird, we could all feel a sense of celebration... It was a big day for the crew for the Sea Bird. Our ship was underway to our last lock and dam on the Columbia River. The Bonneville Lock and Dam was just ahead and as it is a Lindblad tradition to assemble on deck for the throwing of the last line onto the floating bollard inside the lock. Our boatswain, Laci Barnett, was responsible for this superstitious but auspicious toss... If the ships line circled the floating bollard in a well executed toss, it means good luck for the weather on our repositioning trip and good luck for whales during the winter season in Baja.
“It’s a big day, it’s a big day Laci, and you have our lives in your hands...” The toss was superb, our boatswain did not show the least sign of nerves, her toss was flawless! With the cheers of the crew, staff and guests, the Sea Bird was secured inside the first lock on the Columbia River and the sixteenth lock during our river journey following in the wake of Lewis and Clark. Once we had descended 70 feet the gates opened and the Sea Bird entered the free flowing Columbia River on her way towards the mighty Pacific Ocean, and the winter camp of the Corps of Discovery.
