Columbia and Snake River Oct17-24 2021

 Daily Itinerary – Fall Harvest

Day 1: Portland, Oregon– Embark (D) *

Arrive in Portland located on the
Columbia and Willamette rivers, in the
shadow of snow-capped Mt. Hood. The
city is known for its eco-friendliness,
microbreweries, and coffeehouses. This
afternoon board our ship and discover
why Portland is nicknamed “Bridgetown” as we sail under eight of the city’s 12 eclectic bridges along the Willamette River, the first of five rivers you will encounter on this voyage.

Day 2: Astoria (B, L, D)

We begin our journey by navigating the Columbia to the mouth of the river at Astoria. At Cape Disappointment where Meriwether Lewis saw the Pacific in November of 1805, explore the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center, see Cape Disappointment Lighthouse and the north jetty of the Columbia River Bar. Visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum, which chronicles the history of river navigation and all aspects of maritime commerce in the region. Hear harrowing stories of crossing “The Bar” at the mouth of the Columbia, one of the most dangerous passages in the world. In the afternoon explore the Astoria area with several options to choose from.

Day 3 – 4: Columbia River Gorge and Hood River (B, L, D)

Spend your morning visiting the stunning Columbia Gorge Interpretive Center in Stevenson, Washington, featuring 15,000 years of cultural and natural history of the Columbia Gorge with displays both inside and outside. Or trek up the iconic Beacon Rock, the 848-foot basalt column that once formed the core of an ancient volcano. Lewis and Clark camped here on their way west, and it was at Beacon Rock that they first noticed the tides affecting the water levels in the Columbia River, more than 120 miles from its mouth.

Continue through the Gorge to Hood River, located in the shadows of majestic Mount Hood where you will enjoy a farm-to-table orchard lunch overlooking the golden Hood River Valley. The valley is known for its fruit growing orchards-including one of the world’s largest pear growing areas. After lunch you’ll have the option to visit the Western Antique Aeroplane & Automobile Museum and explore one of the largest collections of still-functioning antique cars and planes in the country or choose to do something more active in the area.

Day 5: Cruising (B, L, D)

Today we will spend the day cruising through some of the most scenic and geologically interesting stretches of the Columbia River and the Columbia Plateau. Our onboard geologist and naturalists will talk with you about the Columbian Basalt Flows and the Missoula Floods that sculpted the landscape 13,000 years ago. Relive the historic tales of the Corps of Discovery through the eyes of the historian as you sail by landmarks from their epic journey. Or unwind with a massage from the wellness specialist.