Columbia & Snake Rivers Cruise
We followed the last leg of the famous journey of Lewis & Clark and Oregon Trail pioneers as we cruised approximately 1,000 miles along the Columbia, Snake and Willamette Rivers on the paddlewheel ship named Queen of The West. Built specifically to navigate shallow, narrow waterways, the 150-passenger sternwheeler began its journey in the port of Portland and transited eight locks and dams, where only river barges and a few pleasure craft could navigate. We viewed the natural wonders of the river gorges, mountains, forests and high desert. At the same time we learned about the history of the area. Our onboard historian gave us presentations about the early explorers in the ships’ lounge, and narrated facts about locks and dams as we navigated through them. Several guest Indian speakers gave us their perspective of history.
Typically several times each day we disembarked our ship to board our private coaches that followed the Queen to whisk us off to see interesting shore sites in Oregon and Washington during which time the coach drivers gave us interesting tidbits about the local people and area. Our shore excursions included visits to the Bonneville Dam, Indian and early settler museums, folkloric shows, historical sites, scenic overlooks and water falls. The Columbia and Snake River route took us as far east as the Idaho state town of Lewiston where we boarded comfortably enclosed jet boats. This 55-mile river ride took us south down the Snake River into the Hells Canyon Wilderness Area where we observed sure-footed big horn sheep descending into the canyon. Our trip also included visiting the infamous Mt. St. Helens volcano, which erupted 25 years ago and is still actively spewing steam from its crater. Near the end of our journey, we passed the Willamette where we entered the Columbia from Portland and continued on the Columbia west to Astoria (OR). Afterwards we returned to Portland where we ended our journey. Many areas passed during the night while cruising in one direction were seen during viewing hours in the opposite direction.
The scenery on the river changed from the heavily treed terrain west of the Cascade Mountains to the high desert east the Cascades. Because of the dams, the Columbia is more like lakes linked together via dams and locks rather than a free flowing wild river like its past. The dams prevent flooding, provide hydroelectric power and water for farming on the high desert. This area is known for its pears, apples, grapes, potatoes, cherries and grain. Incidentally, the weather was perfect--plenty of sunshine with blue skies with temperatures between high 40’s and 50’s early in the morning to low 70’s and 80’s in the afternoon.
The history of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark continues to fascinate us today. In pursuit a Northwest Passage waterway from St. Louis to the Pacific Ocean in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase territory, President Thomas A. Jefferson chose Lewis to lead this expedition known as the Corps of Discovery. In September 1806, they began their travels up the Missouri River, over the Rocky Mountains, and down the Snake and Columbia Rivers. With the assistance of many of the indigenous Indians, Lewis & Clark traveled some 8,000 miles of territory that took over 2 years to complete a round trip. Although they failed to find a continuous water passage, their journals provide detailed glimpses of their remarkable adventures.
Three Great Rivers Cruise
September 17 ~ 24, 2005
Queen of the West Itinerary:
DAY 1: Depart Portland, cruise along the Columbia and Willamette rivers. Welcome Aboard Cocktail Reception and Dinner Party with the Captain. Willamette River Cruise
Portland
DAY 2: Cruise through the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area; transit Bonneville Lock and Dam. Port call in Hood River, Oregon and Stevenson, Washington. Motorcoach to the Dalles, Oregon and visit Crown Point and Columbia Gorge Discovery Center. Visit Bonneville Dam and Multnomah Falls. The Dalles / Columbia Gorge Discovery Center
Multnomah Falls
Bonneville Dam
DAY 3: Bow landing at Umatilla. Board motorcoach to Pendleton for included tours. Visit Tamastslikt Cultural Center. Evening cruising on the Snake River. Pendleton
Tamastslikt Cultural Institute
DAY 4: Cruise along the Snake River. Port call at Clarkston, Washington to board a jet boat for an excursion into Hells Canyon. Enjoy a Nez Perce Interpretive Program. Hells Canyon Jet Boat
DAY 5: Leisurely day of cruising, passing through Wallula Gap and transiting three locks on the Columbia River. Time permitting, visit Maryhill Museum and Stonehenge. Maryhill Museum/Stonehenge Memorial
DAY 6: Transit Bonneville Dam with cruising through Columbia River Gorge. Port call at Longview, Washington. Motorcoach to Mt. Saint Helens Volcanic Monument. Mt. Saint Helens Volcanic Monument
DAY 7: Cruise toward the infamous Columbia River Bar. Port call in Astoria. Visit Astoria Column, Fort Clatsop and Columbia River Maritime Museum. Captain's Gala Farewell Dinner. Fort Clatsop
Maritime Museum / Astoria Column
DAY 8: Early morning cruising in Multnomah Channel. Disembark in Portland after breakfast. Airport transfers included. Multnomah Channel
Todd Weber, our historian, was born on the east coast, but moved west in his childhood. At a young age he became enthralled with stories of the fur traders, Indians and explorers of American history. Making his first pair of moccasins as a young teenager, he continued building his collection of clothing and accouterments until he had either made or acquired all that was necessary to re-enact the life of a mountain man. Years of reading journals and studying historical accounts of the fascinating characters of America's past, he became self-taught on the facts and details of this time in history.
The fish ladder next to a dam allows the salmon to bypass the dam on their way upstream to spawn. The fish actually swim upstream over the ladder steps under the surface without jumping out of the water. The ladder also allows the baby fish to return to sea.
Hydroelectric energy is accomplished by the force of water turning a large propeller attached to a shaft that rotates a generator armature producing electricity.
The Columbia Gorge is where the Columbia River cuts through the Cascade Mountains.
The Columbia Gorge Discovery Center is the official interpretive center for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. This 26,100 square foot exhibit wing holds interactive displays which bring to life the tremendous volcanic upheavals and raging floods that created the Gorge, describe the mighty River which sculpted patterns for a unique and spectacular diversity of vegetation, wildlife, and ancient life ways, and follow the currents that shape our futures in the Gorge.
The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area extends from the Sandy River near Troutdale nearly 80 miles east to the Deschutes River. The gorge holds some of the region's most scenic vistas and leads to hundreds of wilderness areas and recreation destinations, such as Bonneville Dam and Cascade locks.
Multnomah Falls is the second highest year-round waterfall in the nation. The water of the falls drops 620 feet from its origin on Larch Mountain. The Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area encompasses the falls.
The Queen's stack is lowered to navigate under bridges over the Snake River.
Red barges are for transporting juvenile fish from upstream of the dams to below the dams in the west so the youngsters have a better chance in reaching the Pacific Ocean.
Mt. Hood situated in Oregon stands 11,249 ft.
Not on the schedule and as an added tour, we were treated to a visit of Maryhill Museum and Sam Hill's Stonehenge. Maryhill Museum was originally planned as a private residence for Pacific Northwest entrepreneur Sam Hill, who in 1907 purchased over 6,000 acres of land along the Columbia River to start an agricultural community. When the community failed to materialize, the unfinished house was later turned into a museum.
Four miles east of the Maryhill Museum is Sam Hill's replica of England's Neolithic Stonehenge. Hill built the structure as a World War I memorial.
Mt. Adams situated in Washington stands 12,276 ft.
On the morning of May 18, 1980, Mt. St. Helens erupted and its north face collapsed in a massive rock avalanche. Nearly 230 square miles of forest was blown over or left dead and standing. Ash rose thousands of feet and fell over eastern Washington and beyond.
In 1982 the 110,000-acre National Volcanic Monument was created for research, recreation and education. Scientists and visitors observe the changes in landscape and the volcano. Today, it is still spewing steam and is considered active.
Lewis & Clark constructed Ft. Clatsop for their 1805-06 winter encampments. The 50-ft. by 50-ft. fort served as protection until their return journey east, which began in March 1806. The original Ft. Clatsop was never found and this replica was built on the believed site of the original fort.
From Astoria, we returned to the port of Portland where we disembarked the Queen and ended our journey.
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