The Columbia River
At 6:30 this morning, we were awakened by the sound of gushing water as the Sea Lion entered the Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. As we sailed out of the Snake River and headed downstream on the Columbia River, traveling through Oregon and Washington to Portland, the strong wind created waves in this usually calm water.
We spent the day on board the ship. Jim and Verne, our historians, fielded questions and evoked discussions about Lewis and Clark in an Open Forum in the lounge this morning.
The sun shone as the ship sailed through McNary Dam and Lock by late morning. We shared the lock with the tugboat, 'Legend' which pushed two barges of wheat. We were in awe of the power of this mighty tugboat.
Stretch class was offered just before lunch for those who missed the early morning stretch class.
We continued our discussion of Lewis and Clark with an open book 'quiz' (a trivia contest designed by Verne) right after lunch. Later in the afternoon, Judie and her team set up a fabulous spread and treated us to fine wine and food tasting with local jams, apples, pears, cheese, chocolate and nuts from this region. This was a perfect prelude as the Sea Lion passed through the dramatic John Day Lock, which is the deepest in North America, boasting a lift of 105 feet with a guillotine gate.
We concluded our fantastic journey along the Columbia Snake River with a delicious Captain's Farewell dinner.
At 6:30 this morning, we were awakened by the sound of gushing water as the Sea Lion entered the Ice Harbor Lock and Dam. As we sailed out of the Snake River and headed downstream on the Columbia River, traveling through Oregon and Washington to Portland, the strong wind created waves in this usually calm water.
We spent the day on board the ship. Jim and Verne, our historians, fielded questions and evoked discussions about Lewis and Clark in an Open Forum in the lounge this morning.
The sun shone as the ship sailed through McNary Dam and Lock by late morning. We shared the lock with the tugboat, 'Legend' which pushed two barges of wheat. We were in awe of the power of this mighty tugboat.
Stretch class was offered just before lunch for those who missed the early morning stretch class.
We continued our discussion of Lewis and Clark with an open book 'quiz' (a trivia contest designed by Verne) right after lunch. Later in the afternoon, Judie and her team set up a fabulous spread and treated us to fine wine and food tasting with local jams, apples, pears, cheese, chocolate and nuts from this region. This was a perfect prelude as the Sea Lion passed through the dramatic John Day Lock, which is the deepest in North America, boasting a lift of 105 feet with a guillotine gate.
We concluded our fantastic journey along the Columbia Snake River with a delicious Captain's Farewell dinner.
