Last night we left Clarkston, Washington and headed west down the Snake River transiting Lower Granite and Little Goose Dams before the dawn. What an absolutely perfect day of weather and activities on the Palouse and Lower Snake Rivers. We anchored the National Geographic Sea Bird in the Palouse River amongst the towering walls of basalt cliffs. Our short bus ride took us across the stark Channeled Scablands that were formed after several massive Ice Age floods scoured this barren landscape. The Palouse Falls is an impressive 186-foot waterfall that appears to flow out of the desert and has carved a deep, narrow canyon in basalt created by ancient volcanic eruptions. Early season rain plus last year’s fire has turned the Palouse River into a lush palette of greenery and fall colors—a photographer’s dream. Back on the river, guests chose between kayaking on the glassy waters and taking a scenic ride on expedition landing craft into the tule marsh to view wildlife.
After lunch we reached Lower Monument Dam on the Snake River on this exceptionally sunny and warm day. The lockmaster granted us permission to board our expedition landing craft and join the ship in the lock as we descended almost 100 feet as the water poured out and the gates opened to allow us to continue our westward journey down the Snake River. In the afternoon, our historian Don Popejoy educated us on the history of the failed attempts to form expeditions to explore the West and how ultimately Thomas Jefferson selected Meriwether Lewis and William Clark for their successful Corp of Discovery trip to the west coast. A perfect day on two magnificent rivers.
