Hood River and Columbia River Gorge
We awakened this morning aboard the National Geographic Sea Bird in The Dalles and disembarked to explore many points of interest along the Columbia River Gorge. Our first stop: the Discovery Center, an architecturally beautiful museum focused on the natural and cultural history of the area. After a brief orientation we roamed the exhibits and meandered outside along the paths high up on the cliff from the river. Some were fortunate enough to catch a glimpse of “Junior,” the great horned owl, out for a stroll with his handler. He was found when young, injured near an abandoned nest. Now four years old, he lives at the Center along with half a dozen other imprinted and/or injured birds… among them, a red-tailed hawk and a bald eagle.
The latter half of the morning was spent around the town of Hood River. Weather was slightly overcast with alternating sunshine and rain sprinkles. The dampness in the air and vegetation indicated we were leaving the dry steppe, returning to temperate rainforest as we headed westward. Explorations included walking and biking along the restored historic Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway, strolling around town, and a visit to Rasmussen Farms, a local orchard, for tastes and take-homes of fresh just-picked apples, pears, cherries and huckleberries, and various local-made jams and butters.
Afternoon activities included a visit to the well-known 620-foot-high Multnomah Falls (where this photo displaying a unique perspective from the falls footbridge was taken), followed by a special tour of the Bonneville Dam, and then a transit through the locks of the dam.
And for the finishing touch to our action-packed day: a crab feast for dinner, and dessert in the lounge while watching our Video Chronicler’s preview of the first few days of our trip. Fun!
