Home > Cruise Reviews > Sea Bird

Alaska Cruise Reviews: Sea Bird

From the Sea Bird in Pacific Northwest
Saturday, May 20, 2006

Columbia River Gorge

The romantic mists of the quintessential Oregonian weather greeted us this morning as we headed to the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, located just outside The Dalles. The clouds and rain gave us a good excuse to head indoors and discover the rich history and traditions of life here on the great Columbia. The museum gives us a comprehensive look into the areas past with a variety of displays: the cargo carried on the Lewis and Clark Expedition; Gorge geology and botany; Wasco County history; and native crafts and traditions. From the intricate bead work and finely crafted baskets of those who first settled this area, to the wind surfboard representing those who now flock to the areas natural wind tunnel, the museum showcases all aspects of life in the Gorge.

As we wandered from one exhibit to the next, the clouds outside parted, allowing us to stay dry as we left the museum and drove west on the Columbia Gorge Scenic Highway. The spring rain left the Poderosa Pines saturated with the deep green hue so familiar here in the Pacific Northwest. We were crossing over from the arid high plateaus of the steppe country to the lush forested lands on the west side of the Cascades. The quick, dramatic change in vegetation gives evidence to the locals common rule of thumb: with each mile traveled west through the Gorge, the average rainfall per year increases by one inch.

Luckily, the weather did not contribute to the annual average this afternoon, as we cruised west down the river, we enjoyed pleasant overcast skies out on deck. We left Hood River and saw, some for the first time, the exciting new sport of kite boarding, where adept surfers catch the winds from an over-sized kite to power them through the water. Continuing down the river, we admired new waterfalls left behind from the recent rains. We finished our afternoon on the bow, with glasses of Sangria toasting the beautiful and popular Multnomah Falls.

Author: Kelley Totten, AEL/ Purser