This morning National Geographic Sea Bird saw the sunrise while anchored at the confluence of the Palouse and Snake Rivers. Our day began with an exhilarating morning Zodiac ride along the Palouse River. The calm, reflective waters made for the ideal conditions to observe this beautiful basalt canyon landscape. Golden eagles, red-tail hawks, and Northern flickers are just a few birds that we spotted in this perfect morning light. Guests then were able to take a quick bus ride over to Palouse Falls. This impressive 200-foot waterfall is one of the most picturesque views. Seeing these landscapes, we begin to understand how powerful the Missoula floods were that carved these lands just 15,000 years ago.
After lunch aboard National Geographic Sea Bird, we continued our journey along the Snake River. Our first lock to navigate through was the Lower Monumental Lock. This passage showcases the engineering marvel that make river travel possible. It was a day that perfectly defines the very spirit of discovery, the contrast of tranquil nature to the powerful structures that allow us to explore these lands and rivers.
