Cruising the Columbia, 9/23/2022, National Geographic Quest
Aboard the
National Geographic Quest
Pacific Northwest
Our beautiful autumn day started with National Geographic Quest anchored at Crow Butte Park on the Columbia River across from Boardman, Oregon at River Mile 201.
After transferring to the park, we divided into groups for our various walks. Some passengers walked the shore to a viewpoint of National Geographic Quest. Some enjoyed photo tours, and others took a walk with a 390-foot elevation gain to the top of the butte to see its impressive views. We observed signs of many different animals, including a nesting owl, a kangaroo rat, and many different birds. We also saw sagebrush and prickly pear cactus.
A steady breeze developed in the afternoon as National Geographic Quest raised its anchor, and we headed up the Columbia River.
Robert is a native of eastern Washington and an avid outdoorsman who enjoys exploring and sharing the splendor of the Pacific Northwest with others, whether it is by foot, auto, or boat. His work career was in agribusiness, insurance claims/Special I...
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National Geographic Sea Bird climbed up the Columbia River. The ship made its way from the temperate rainforest across the deep and narrow basalt cliffs of the Columbia Gorge and into the dry sagebrush-steppe landscape of Crow Butte. The transformation took just a few hours. As the sun rose across the sharply edged riverine lines, guests sipped coffee and enjoyed breakfast. Afterwards, we enjoyed an expert talk on “Soils and Raptors” by naturalist and “Raptor Extraordinaire,” Zoey Greenberg. Emerging from Celilo Falls and the Long Narrows, we shuttled upstream to Crow Butte Island. Guests enjoyed aerobic nature walks around the island in the morning. Returning to National Geographic Sea Bird , guests enjoyed an afternoon of cruising through the Umatilla National Wildlife Refuge and educational presentations on “Salmon, Dams, and the Columbia River Treaty,” by Patrick MacQuarrie, river historian, and “Geology of the Columbia River Basin,” by the multitalented naturalist wizard, Jesse Humbert. Crow Butte and the refuge offered a plethora of birdlife for the guests’ enjoyment, including grebes, great blue herons, double-crested cormorants, American white pelicans, bald eagles, northern harriers, red-tailed hawks, kestrels, and several types of geese, including snow geese, cackling geese, and Canada geese. We also spotted buffleheads, widgeons, mallards, coots, gulls, and several sparrows. While naturalists wooed the “Sea Bird Nation” with natural science and history stories, the ship transited McNary Lock. The lock lifted National Geographic Sea Bird up 75-feet into Lake Wallula, eventually passing Wallula Gap and entering the Snake River by dinner. Once again, National Geographic Sea Bird made the once impossible journey possible. This was first accomplished by Lewis and Clark in 1805 and 1806 on their historic journey to open the West to a young and eager country. Photographers: Patrick MacQuarrie, River Historian and Naturalist ; Dr. Robert Jason, Guest ; and Kim Nesbitt, Photo Instructor
Dawn broke cold but clear with temperatures in the high 40s and partly cloudy skies. It was wonderful weather for an exploration of the transition zone between the temperate rainforest of the past two days and the shrub-steppe that begins here and dominates the landscape heading east.
Today we had a wonderful introduction to the gorgeous farmland and industry of the Columbia River ecosystem. From experiencing the “Fruit Loop” to a salmon hatchery to a wonderful farm-to-table lunch, it was a beautiful day.
