Columbia and Snake River Cruise of the Pacific Northwest

Following the Path of Lewis and Clark

By Linda Garrison, About.com Guide

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Astoria, Oregon at the Mouth of the Columbia River

Astoria, Oregon (c) Linda Garrison

With no locks to pass through, it was very peaceful as we sailed through the night. The ship arrived in Astoria about 6 am, and we were greeted by low hanging clouds and light fog, the first we had seen all week.

This type of weather is common in Astoria, and I couldn't help but think about the Lewis & Clark party. They arrived at the mouth of the Columbia River in November 1805 and stayed until March 1806. During that time, they had only 12 days without rain, and only 6 days with sunshine! Of course, they were here during the rainiest time of the year, but it must have been miserable for them. By the time we left the ship at 9 am, the clouds were lifting, and the sky was cloudless again by lunch.

Fort Clatsop - Lewis and Clark National Historic Park

Fort Clatsop at the Lewis and Clark National Historic Park (c) Linda Garrison

The Cruise West Spirit of Discovery was docked in downtown Astoria, right next to the Columbia River Maritime Museum. We left the ship at 9 am on the buses, which had followed us from Hood River.

Our only stop was at Fort Clatsop, the site where Lewis and Clark built their outpost in early December 1805. The fort is surrounded by a lush green forest, quite different from the desert we were in the past few days. This national historic park is interesting, and we saw a 20-minute film about the interaction of the Clatsop Indians with the explorers. We stayed at the museum for about an hour, touring the recreated fort and walking down to the canoe landing.

Columbia River Maritime Museum

Columbia River Maritime Museum (c) Linda Garrison

We left Fort Clatsop about 10:30 and rode back to the Spirit of Discovery. Before lunch, we enjoyed a guided tour of the fascinating Columbia River Maritime Museum. This privately-owned, non-profit museum features all sorts of information and maritime exhibits from the area, ranging from the role of the Coast Guard and the bar pilots to the history of steamboats on the Columbia. Those who love the sea could easily spend a half-day or more in this educational museum.

We ate a late lunch on the ship, enjoying minestrone soup, Caesar salad with grilled scallops (mom), chicken Parmesan (me), and sandwiches, hot dogs, and hamburgers (our table mates). Dessert was strawberry sour cream pie.

Walking Tour of Downtown Astoria

The Astoria Column (c) Linda Garrison

After lunch, many returned to the Maritime Museum next door, others hiked the mile-plus to the Astoria Column, and we chose to stroll downtown Astoria. Notable sites near the dock are the Liberty Theatre, where Clark Gable got his start; and the Flavel house, home of Astoria's first rich man, Captain George Flavel, a river bar pilot. At one time, Astoria was the largest city west of the Rockies, so the town has a long and fascinating story.

We returned to the ship about 4 pm, just in time to pack our suitcases.

Farewell Party

Sailing into a Columbia River Sunset on the Cruise West Spirit of Discovery

Cruise West Spirit of Discovery Columbia River Sunset (c) Linda Garrison

Our final night we had a delightful captain's dinner, followed by a slide show of some of the photos taken during the week by our exploration leaders. It was fun re-living our shared experiences, and many of us purchased a copy of the CD with the photos for our own files.

Awakening in Portland the next morning, we were off on the bus to the airport.

It was a great adventure on the Columbia and Snake Rivers of the Pacific Northwest, and we all learned more about the explorers such as Lewis and Clark and their first interactions with the native Americans living in the region. The voyage was a memorable step back into history for us all.

Summary of Columbia and Snake River Cruise in the Pacific Northwest

This voyage on the Columbia and Snake Rivers greatly exceeded my expectations. The scenery was marvelous and the history relevant and unforgettable. The all-inclusive excursions were diverse and well-matched to our interests. The ship is not as well-appointed as many I have sailed on, but it is very comfortable and homey. The food was outstanding and the crew was friendly and accommodating. All in all, it was a wonderful cruise vacation experience.

Authors Note: This cruise was done with Cruise West. Although this cruise line is no longer operating, other cruise lines such as American Safari Cruises, Lindblad Expeditions, and American Cruise Lines sail similar itineraries.

As is common in the travel industry, the writer was provided with complimentary cruise accommodation for the purpose of review. While it has not influenced this review, About.com believes in full disclosure of all potential conflicts of interest. For more information, see our ethics policy.