Sternwheeler Cruise

Yesterday was so much fun!  We got to go on a cruise up and down the Columbia River on the Sternwheeler Columbia Gorge.  Our son Travis and two grandsons accompanied us, and I invited my blog friend Gracie to join us!  It was her first time on the Sternwheeler and I believe she really enjoyed herself.  The weather was perfect.  Our vessel awaits us.

Years ago when I was the executive director of the Friends of Vista House, I called the sternwheeler office and asked if they'd like to take our volunteers on a cruise so we could better recommend them to our visitors from all over the world.  And to this day they have a "volunteer day" for free cruises for the FOVH and the Friends of Multnomah Falls.. and State Parks volunteers.  This was that day.  We can take guests, which we usually do.. but we pay for their fare.  Here is our son and grandsons.

Near Bonneville Dam were many Cormorants.. waiting to eat fish.

We cruised by an Indian fish camp - they have fishing treaty rights to fish all they want.

It was a beautiful day and many of the fishing family members were swimming in the river.

A young mother and her children.. the baby actually looked like she was asleep in her mother's arms.. in the cold water!

Hayden and Caleb had a blast on the boat.. a woman had a miniature Dachshund named "Precious" on board and they spent a lot of time petting it.

I zoomed in on an Osprey, aka Fish Hawk, in a tree as we passed by.

Heading back towards the Bridge of the Gods, up river.

People enjoying the cruise and the perfect weather.

Going under the bridge I snapped a car driving above.

A nice lady offered to take a photo of our family.. :-)

Two sailors were racing along in their Laser sailboats.. these are very similar in design and size to our Sunfish that we sail.

I took Gracie to the stern of the boat to watch the powerful stern-wheel paddling along.

A pair of nesting Osprey had built a nest on top of a channel marker - do you see the father brought a fish to his mate and her babies?  

Several sailboarders were enjoying the river and sunshine.

Travis took the boys up into the wheelhouse to meet the captain and have their turn at driving the sternwheeler!  

Caleb took his job at the controls VERY seriously.. grandpa took this shot through the windshield.. lol.

Hayden at the controls. 

We were cruising towards Wind Mt. and Dog Mt.  Can you believe that I climbed to the top of both of these mountains while attending Girl Scout camp at Camp Wind Mountain?  First was WM and then DM the next summer.  

These guys are "kite-boarding"!

The boat at rest between cruises.

Gracie and I after the trip.. a bit windblown but happy.

Back home.. the Hydrangeas are coloring up at a record rate with all the nice weather we're having.

Pretty, pretty.

View from the gazebo.

My pretty Dahlia.

Bellflower.

Cherries.

Yum, yum!

Hummingbird lunch.

And last but not least.. our Hollyhock is RED!  Gorgeous!

OK.. must pack up.. off on another adventure.. will tell you more later.  :-)
((hugs)), Teresa :-)