Today, guests boarded Zodiacs to transit the Lower Monumental Lock along the Snake River. After National Geographic Sea Bird entered the lock and got secured, four Zodiacs loaded with passengers rafted together to take in the incredible engineering marvel of the intricate gates and chambers. Being in such a large concrete box made us feel incredibly small, and we felt lucky to experience such a unique way to ride through a river lock. After lunch, we had two exciting activities. Some guests took a bus to Palouse Falls to observe the beauty and get some family Christmas card shots. Palouse Falls cascade over 200 feet into rugged canyon, and the site is truly unforgettable. Other guests took a Zodiac cruise up Palouse River, a hidden gem of the Pacific Northwest. Zodiac cruisers had opportunities to see a golden eagle and a red-tailed hawk along with gorgeous reflections along the flat, glassy water. With the memories of the Snake River’s intricate locks, the grandeur of Palouse Falls, and the tranquility of the Palouse River still fresh in our minds, we chatted over cocktails and recap before dinner. After dinner, we transited Little Goose Lock before turning in for bed.
4/27/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Astoria, Oregon
We reached the penultimate day of our journey in Astoria, Oregon, where the Columbia River collides with the open ocean. We were met with a typical Pacific Northwest day of gentle rains punctuated by moments of sunshine. The guests were divided to conquer this gem of a city, nestled under bridges; half headed across the river to Washington to visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center at Cape Disappointment, while the other half visited the Columbia River Maritime Museum and Astoria Column. The museum and the interpretive center are both excellent examples of what the west coast can offer with regard to history and culture. Each has thoughtful exhibits that cover broad swaths of topics, and are staffed with informative and helpful faculty. After a hearty lunch on board, the groups swapped in order to have the best of both worlds. Finally, all met back aboard for the week’s final recap and guest slideshow.
