We woke up to a gorgeous morning at the mouth of the Palouse River, a tributary of the Snake river. Some of us went to the spectacular Palouse Falls, which cascade 198 feet into the basalt canyon beneath. Others went on a Zodiac cruise up the Palouse River, where we saw the beautiful surrounding canyon and wildlife, including golden eagles, prairie falcons, and red-tailed hawks. Still others chose to spend the morning kayaking. In the afternoon, naturalist Grace Winer gave an immersive presentation on local birds in the area.
10/23/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Walla Walla
We awoke anchored at the confluence of the Snake and Columbia Rivers, National Geographic Sea Lion perfectly framed by the Ed Hendler and Pioneer Memorial Bridges. Departing shortly after breakfast, everyone headed to shore for a full day of adventure, education, and indulgent wine tasting. Once ashore, some of us headed to Seven Hills Vineyard for an exclusive tour while others explored the rich cultural history of Fort Walla Walla. We reconvened at the stunning Seven Hills Tasting Room in downtown Walla Walla for a spectacular lunch and our first tasting of the day. After lunch we split up again, with options for excursions ranging from wine tasting to ice cream sampling, shopping, and a visit to the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Our Zodiac rides back to the ship were perfectly timed with the sunset, making for a beautiful end to a busy day exploring the Pasco and Walla Walla area. After yet another exceptional wine and dinner pairing by Wine Specialist Kristine, a sporty game of Pacific Northwest Trivia ensued!