10/3-10 Snake and Columbia River Cruise

National Geographic Quest

We park the truck and RV at the Clarkston Pier on the Snake River in Washington and join 3 of Johns Dartmouth ’71 classmates and their spouses, for a week aboard the National Geographic Quest.  The premise of the trip is following the most Western part of the 1805 Lewis and Clark Expedition.   The Snake and Columbia Rivers flow through some fascinating geological  landscapes  which were carved over millennia by hundreds of historical floods and lava flows.

Jet Boat Through Rapids

Lava, Lava, Lava

First day we board jet boats and travel up the Snake to the Clearwater River through spectacular Hells Canyon.  Really fun speeding through all the white-water rapids.  Second day we journey to the entrance of the Palouse River and explore with the kayaks and zodiacs then bus up to Palouse Falls.  Day three was geology and history lectures and a hike up Crow Butte.

Palouse Falls

We go through 4 locks on the cruise dropping almost 800 feet along the way.  The boat is lovely and the crew and tour folks are top rate.  Lots of lectures on geology, history and naturalists.  

Until we reach Hood River on the 4th day, the trip has been beautifully remote. After walking the cool Mosier Tunnels (old highway road built 1921), I abandoned ship in Hood River and met up with Zoe who found a house to rent there.  We had a great couple days together and I was with her when she got the call saying she got the job as Northwest Coexistence Representative for Defenders of Wildlife!  

Mosier Tunnels

Dartmouth Crowd

History of Astoria Column

John continued on the cruise climbing Beacon Rock in Stevenson and exploring historical Astoria, near the Pacific Ocean where Lewis and Clark spent the winter. A GREAT TRIP!

Defenders of Wildlife NW Coexistence Rep