As guests awoke this morning, greeting a new day, we also greeted in a distinctly different scenery from our first few days on the Columbia. It has gone from rainforest to Ponderosa pines and scrub oaks, to the high desert habitat that we would be following for the remainder of our voyage! This is a much starker landscape, but with its own beauty. There are countless irrigated vineyards and orchards along this section of the Mighty Columbia. After lunch it was time to explore the Umatilla Refuge by Zodiac and kayak, before heading toward our transit through the next lock, McNary, in early evening. Another fabulous day on the Columbia River!
4/24/2024
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Walla Walla
The spring campaign for the Columbia and Snake Rivers Journey made its final visit of the season to the wine-loving Walla Walla Valley. Nearly 20 of our guests spent the morning tasting and touring Dunham Cellars, Walla Walla’s ninth-oldest winery. Others visited the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. Guests met for lunch at Three Rivers Winery, which is owned by California businessman/philanthropist, William Foley. Bon Appétit Management of Whitman College handled the catering which made for a very tasty meal. Next was a self-guided walking tour of downtown Walla Walla that featured Lindblad-arranged tastings at Bergevin Lane Vineyards, Browne Family Vineyards, Mark Ryan Winery and Rasa Vineyards as well as shopping at the many small businesses along Main Street. Among those favored by guests were Bright’s Candies, Hot Poop Record Store, Pinecone Creamery, and Colville Street Patisserie. Upon returning to National Geographic Sea Bird , after-dinner education featured a presentation titled, ‘Down the Rivers with the Lewis & Clark Expedition’ by historian Robert Heacock.