Moving eastward on the mid-Columbia River one passes evidence of aboriginal, fur trade, Lewis & Clark, and contemporary western history. This morning guests experienced phases of these chapters when they disembarked in The Dalles (derived from the French for “Flagstone Gutter”) to explore portions of the old “Sam Hill” scenic Columbia Gorge highway and the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.
Lewis & Clark described this region, including the now inundated Celilo Falls, as the “Great Mart.” The region retains a whiff of that description with its busy riverfront, Old Town, railroad, fruit warehouses and distribution centers, and surrounding basalt scablands. In fact, today’s Wasco County, Oregon, radiates Pacific Northwest history and commerce.
Following a visit to the Discovery Center, guests either climbed aboard bicycles (in a light rainfall) to trace the waterfront, or boarded motor coaches headed for Rock Fort, one of the few identified Lewis & Clark campsites.
The afternoon also brought blinking sunshine and a rainbow—stretched over the Columbia River, from Oregon to Washington. Just before arriving at the Discovery Center over 30 guests visited the dramatic heights of Rowena Crest high above the Columbia River, which faces Lyle, Washington, and the mouth of the Klickitat River. After this high elevation stop, guests proceeded to Maryhill Museum in Washington’s Klickitat County. This eccentric, lonely building is crammed with Rodin sculptures, Indian baskets and artifacts, one of the world’s most extensive chess and checkerboard collections, and rooms dedicated to figures who realized this wonderful setting: organizer Sam Hill, art patron Alma Spreckles, former dancer Loie Fuller, and Queen Marie of Romania.
Later in the day, during a stop at Sam Hill’s unique Stonehenge Memorial, historian Junius Rochester gave a brief talk about Sam Hill and the construction of Stonehenge—while National Geographic Sea Bird maneuvered below at Maryhill State Park. At this point guests had the opportunity to ride Zodiacs between shore and the boat.
Before dinner, Grace (geologist), Junius (historian), and Rich (photo instructor and naturalist) offered topics to guests during Recap. After dinner, Grace Winer presented an evening program describing the ancient Bretz Floods that helped shape the heights and valleys of the Columbia Gorge.
