Overnight, the bridge team of National Geographic Sea Bird navigated from Astoria to Hood River along the Columbia River. We spent our morning enjoying walks in Multnomah Falls and Beacon Rock, two magnificent natural landmarks in the area. We also had the opportunity to visit a fish hatchery featuring the famous sturgeon named Herman who is 89 years old! Our guests enjoyed a farm to table lunch paired with local wines in The Dalles at Sunshine Mill. We then headed out to Draper Girls Farm where we tasted local apples and pears and heard from area farmers. Following our farm experience, we changed gears and headed to the Western Automobile and Airplane Museum, or WAAAM. After a full day of activities and learning, we gathered for cocktail hour and dinner back on board our beautiful ship and were treated to an after-dinner presentation by historian Doug Crispin on the historic Columbia River Highway. What a fantastic and unforgettable day!
11/4/2023
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National Geographic Sea Bird
Astoria, Oregon
O! the Joy! Hmm, we needed to rethink that one this morning, as we woke to a rainy and blustery Astoria. What this weather did give us was a taste of historic authenticity in relation to the Corps of Discovery and their experiences here in the winter of 1805-06. Our first activity this morning was amongst the magnificent exhibits of the Columbia River Maritime Museum. This world-class facility tells the story of the mighty Columbia and the treacherous results to mariners when the river shoves against the incoming tides of the Pacific Ocean. As our day progressed, we crossed the Astoria-Megler bridge to the state of Washington. At the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center the winds continued but the rain subsided, and we enjoyed a sun-drenched afternoon with an option to walk a forest trail down to Waikiki Beach. The sun and sand were a siren to us and we made an additional stop at the North Jetty to get a water-level view of the waves crashing against the rocks of the Cape Disappointment lighthouse. The day turned out anything but disappointing.
