Under uncertain skies we started our day at The Dalles lock and dam. There has not been much traffic on the river these last few weeks, but this morning held a special treat as we locked through The Dalles with another vessel. The barge held an eclectic load; one barge was stacked with smashed automobiles headed for recycling and the second barge was piled high with wood chips destined to become cardboard.
As we docked at The Dalles we were greeted by members of the community and local chamber of commerce decked out in period costume. There was the schoolmarm, the sheriff, and a few more colorful and affectionate folks referred to as the “floozies.” It was a fun and warm greeting.
The cultural and natural history of Wasco County was beautifully laid out in a variety of dioramas, videos, and other interpretive and interactive displays at the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. The outdoor garden offered a reflecting pond surrounded by native vegetation and a lovely reflection of an Oregon ash turning brilliant yellow as it celebrates fall.
For the afternoon our attentions looked eastward. Stonehenge, or the vision that Sam Hill had of Stonehenge was adapted built here as a memorial to the young men of Klickatat County that were lost in World War I. The sobering structure sits atop a basalt bluff; from there one has a magnificent, sweeping view of the Columbia River below. Maryhill Museum and Maryhill Winery were the next two options for exploration. The museum offers a diverse array of exhibits to satisfy our visual interests such as an exceptional Indian basketry and artifact collection, Rodin sculptures, and an unimaginable array of chess sets from around the world. The grounds gardens were adorned not only with a variety of metal sculptures, but a rather exuberant growth of the natural sculptures of inky cap mushrooms as well. Pacific tree frogs could be found hiding in caverns of moisture around the gardens.
With the perfect backdrop of a rainbow arching across the golden grass covered hills to the east, we headed west, homeward towards the National Geographic Sea Bird to reflect and share the days experiences with our fellow shipmates.
