As the sun was rising in the east and the full moon was setting in the west, our trusty ship the National Geographic Sea Lion made her way upstream on the Columbia River toward the first activity of the day, transiting through the lock at Bonneville Dam. It was an exciting first step in our day’s activities. Soon after successfully exiting Bonneville Lock, we continued a short distance upriver to our anchorage for the day, near Cascade Lock. After lunch we boarded Zodiacs for a short ride to a small marina, then onto coaches for the afternoon’s activities: Multnomah Falls, Bonneville Fish Hatchery, Beacon Rock, and the Columbia River Interpretive Center. So, after a full day, another wonderful dinner, it was time to relax, get a good night’s sleep, and prepare for another full day of exploring along the mighty Columbia!
4/24/2025
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Hood River
Unseasonably warm and dry weather continued to grace us as we proceeded with our expedition down the Columbia River. The morning was crisp as we disembarked in Hood River, Oregon, but quickly warmed up as we boarded our coaches. Our explorations began at Multnomah Falls, the number one tourist attraction in the state of Oregon. After we experienced this astounding cascade, some of our guests proceeded to Beacon Rock for a scenic climb up this 800-foot tall, aged lava plug. Others went to the Bonneville Fish Hatchery where we visited a local icon, Herman the sturgeon. Then both groups of explorers met at the Columbia Gorge Interpretative Center for Syncline wines and an overflowing helping of intriguing local history. As the superb weather continued, we voyaged back to National Geographic Sea Bird for a lovely afternoon of classic cruising down the Columbia River. Guests enjoyed the sun on deck or an engaging presentation on how climate change is affecting migratory birds. Complimentary water-level views of Multnomah Falls followed, and our last transit through a lock of this trip – a lovely passage through the Bonneville Lock and Dam. Photos by Doug Crispin and Alex Rubenstein
