This morning, we drove to the top of the striking Palouse Falls, located on the river of the same name. This 167-mile river flows through the Channeled Scablands, the geological name for a distinctive section of land that was washed out by unimaginable amounts of water after a 2,000 ft tall ice dam broke during the last Ice Age. This dam released an amount of water estimated to be equivalent to both Lake Ontario and Lake Erie. The flood carried trees, sand, rocks, and boulders, which power-washed the landscape to an epic proportion. Today, we explored a section of this scoured land that reveals the splendid 205-foot waterfall, the Palouse Falls.
Our afternoon adventure was a Zodiac cruise up the Palouse. The calm, shallow waters were lined in places with cattails, rushes, and western white clematis. Among the plant life, we saw evidence of beavers and river otters. Golden eagles, cliff swallows, great blue herons, and rock doves soared above. It was easy to imagine the members of Lewis and Clark’s company hunting the area for dinner.
A late afternoon kayak was enjoyed on the still waters with cocktail hour around the corner. It was a wonderful day.
