This morning began with a spectacular sunrise above the John Day Dam with brilliant light spilling onto the wind turbines lining the gorge and dark brooding clouds in the distance. After transiting the locks of John Day and seeing a number of white pelicans sprinkled along island shores, we boarded expedition landing craft and headed to waiting buses. We were whisked up to the Maryhill Museum, where we enjoyed an eclectic and interesting collection of fine art from around the globe. Art on display reflected the interests of the key players involved in its creation: French sculptures by Rodin, Native American art, historic chess sets, post-WWII French fashion on miniature mannequins, Romanian furniture, religious icons and so on.

The morning culminated in a stop at the Maryhill Winery, the 10th largest winery in the region and winner of prestigious wine competitions. After tasting several wines, guests wandered the patio with views of the vineyards and river below.

Following lunch we dropped in to see the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center, an excellent visitor center featuring the history of the Columbia Gorge and The Dalles from the Pleistocene to the present. As rain pattered down, steely-eyed bicyclists departed for a six-mile ride back to the ship and speed walkers charged forth with our wellness specialist. Some people rode the bus back to town to experience the historic murals of The Dalles and one of Lewis and Clark’s campsites near the ship. Others enjoyed a leisurely botanical stroll through the sweet-smelling steppe ecosystem.

The evening ended with an intellectually stimulating and entertaining recap on basalt flows and the life and times of salmon, followed by dinner and an interesting presentation on the art of native cultures of the Columbia River region.