It was damp and dark until the first light of day. We woke to the Ice Harbor Lock. The huge guillotine gate lowered behind us as the waters of the Snake River filled the chamber. We carried our coffees to the open decks and once again rose to new heights and new experiences through the lock.
The clouds billowed above and the sun warmed our faces throughout the rest of the day. The Palouse was glorious. Golden grasses shimmered across the tops of dark basalt columns. Red-tailed hawks circled high above and the waters of the Snake River carried us onward.
Our naturalist, David Stephens, gave a mid-morning lecture on native art and culture. His amazing skill was demonstrated in the artifacts he made and brought aboard to share with us. We came to understand the value of a well-made native canoe and the skill required to weave and decorate a cornhusk bag.
The afternoon activities brought us to a stop while expedition landing craft tours, kayak excursions, and a trip to Palouse Falls were enjoyed. Palouse Falls is a sheer vertical drop of 186 feet, from the tops of the columnar basalt to the glassy pool below. A peregrine falcon soared in circles while we watched rainbows form from the mists of the cascading water.
Meanwhile expedition landing craft brought us eye-to-eye with a beaver lodge. We also learned about the now submerged archeological site of 11,300-year-old remains.
After dinner our video chronicler showed his video of our trip. There we were, stars in our own film of our lives. It was fun and whimsical and it is a fine memory to bring home and share with our families.
