Columbia
and
River Voyage of Discovery Spring Cruise 38 or Fall Cruise 38
Round Trip From Portland
8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS
DAY 1 SAIL FROM PORTLAND
On arrival in Portland, you will transfer to our Hospitality Suite
downtown. After boarding, slowly cruise the Willamette River to view the downtown skyline.
This 240-mile tributary of the Columbia River is
crossed by 19 bridges and three ferries. D
DAY 2 CRUISING THE WORLD-RENOWNED
COLUMBIA RIVER GORGE NATIONAL SCENIC
AREA Your ship slips through the locks of
Bonneville Dam at the entrance to the Columbia
River Gorge. Since 1938, this historic landmark has supplied
hydroelectric power, fish and wildlife protection, and recreation. Stop at the Dam's Visitor Center,
then tour by motor-coach to breathtaking Multnomah Falls, the tallest falls in Oregon. Visit
the Hood River Valley to take in some local flavor.
Return to the ship to continue cruising upriver.
This spectacular river canyon, 80 miles long and up to 4,000 feet deep, is a
natural wind tunnel that cuts the only sea lever route through the Cascade
Mountains. BLD
DAY 3 CRUISING THE SNAKE RIVER
Over the course of the day, cruise from the
Columbia River into the Snake, with several lock
passages. Explore the rugged cliffs and buttes
along the shores. Mc Nary Dam was completed in 1953 and created Lake Wallula. Ice Harbor
Dam near the confluence of the two rivers was
completed in 1961, and includes a fish ladder. It
creates Lake Sacajawea. BLD
DAY 4 HELLS CANYON
After your final upriver locking at Lower Granite Dam, the vessel will
dock in historic Clarkston, Washington, where
you'll hear the story of the Nez Perce from their
perspective. Board jet boats for an exhilarating
excursion deep into Hells Canyon. This free-flowing
stretch of the Snake River boasts lovely scenery beneath steep cliffs rising thousands of
feet on both sides of the gorge. BLD
DAY 5 WALLA WALLA
Today, relive history at the Fort Walla Walla Museum with a collection
of over 35,000 catalogued artifacts. Enjoy a
delicious lunch at Walla Walla's 26Brix restaurant,
located in the 130-year-old Dacres Hotel, on the
National Register of Historic Places. You will have
time to explore the town, taste local wine, or take
a walking tour and enjoy the sculptures you'll find
throughout town. Return to the ship for some
relaxing late afternoon cruising. BLD
DAY 6 THE DALLES AND MARYHILL MUSEUM
The Maryhill Museum is your morning treat, a
historic mansion sitting in solitary splendor on
a bluff over the Columbia River. You'll discover
an eclectic collection of Native arts, European
paintings, and the Queen of Romania's personal
effects. Then explore the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center in The Dalles and see plants
like Lewis & Clark saw on the nature trails, with
spectacular dioramas and displays of the region's
geography and history. Enjoy lunch in this impressive setting. Return to the ship by way of
Rowena Crest, one of America's Scenic Byways.
Continue cruising into the dramatically beautiful Columbia River Gorge National
Scenic Area. BLD
DAY 7 ASTORIA AND FORT CLATSOP
Stand in Lewis &Clark's footsteps at Fort
Clatsop National Historic Park. See the fascinating Columbia River Maritime
Museum, the site of Lewis & Clark's fort.
Step off the beaten path to Astoria and return to the ship for lunch. Later, you can
see the best of downtown Astoria on your own, equipped with a city map and
recommendations from the crew. You're free to discover the hidden treasures of
this Victorian seaport, that is the western terminus of the
Trans-American Trail. BLD
DAY 8 BACK TO PORTLAND
Return to Portland's attractive riverfront where your
week-long voyage into history ends. A transfer
is included to the Portland Airport. B
Request:
Spring Cruise38 or
Fall Cruise38 Availability. (please specify 2007 or 2008 for fall
Cruises) |