A Lewis & Clark Expedition

The Ultimate Camping Trip

October 06 - October 12, 2010

“The ultimate camping trip was the Lewis and Clark expedition.”

- Dave Barry

Humorist Dave Barry referred to the Lewis and Clark expedition as the “ultimate camping trip,” but he probably didn’t realize the ultimate trip includes “camping” aboard the National Geographic ship, the Sea Lion. This ship was built for adventure but designed for comfort. Its small size makes it easy to navigate in areas that cannot accommodate larger vessels. The Sea Lion’s 31 comfortable cabins (single availability is limited) may make us feel as though we’re aboard a yacht, but a knowledgeable staff, expedition equipment, and sturdy Zodiacs make it possible for Nomads to explore the Pacific Northwest in a style Lewis and Clark couldn’t have imagined.

Join us for this adventure as we wind through Washington and Oregon to view the same majestic scenery seen by those noted adventurers. Our journey begins in Portland, Oregon where we’ll board the Sea Lion and cruise the Willamette River through the heart of Portland and then the Columbia River. We’ll pass the Cascade Mountains and watch the landscape change from lush green vistas to desert-colored canyons. At Clarkston we’ll see where the Snake and Clearwater Rivers converge. You may opt to view Rocky Mountain Bighorn sheep and see petroglyphs etched by Native Americans, or to follow in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark and stop at their original campsites.

Enjoy a morning Zodiac cruise on the Palouse River. See the spectacular Multnomah Falls and learn what happened to the Celilo Falls. Follow Lewis and Clark’s trail as we navigate the Columbia River to its mouth at Astoria. Walk through a full size reconstruction of Fort Clatsop where the explorers hunkered down for the winter of 1805. The autumn beauty we’ll see contrasts sharply with the wet winter Lewis and Clark described.

Though the Pacific Northwest is certainly more civilized than when Lewis and Clark made their famous trek, there is still rustic countryside waiting to be explored. Their famous journey opened a trail to the frontier and as we stop at some of the same places this duo stopped to rest, it’s easy to think of this as a camping trip. When you add a comfortable journey aboard the National Geographic Sea Lion it really is the “ultimate camping trip.”

ITINERARY (subject to change)

Meal Codes: B = Breakfast, L = Lunch, D = Dinner, FM = Flight Meal

Tuesday, October 5

Detroit/Portland, OR (FM, D)

The 2010 Trip Preview may have piqued your interest about this trip and you’ve been waiting eagerly for this journey to begin. After all, Nomads are explorers, much like the famous pair that charted a course through the untamed West. This trip combines comfortable accommodations, outstanding scenery, and time to hone a Nomad’s spirit of adventure. We’ll board the ‘flying clubhouse’ and journey to Portland in a fraction of the time it took Lewis and Clark. Although they explored many areas of the country, it was their trek through the Pacific Northwest wilderness that secured their place in history. Once we arrive in Portland we’ll board the National Geographic Sea Lion where Nomads will enjoy comfortable cabins, but make no mistake—this is an explorer ship designed for first class adventure. The ship’s library is the perfect place to read about the journey ahead; the observation deck is an ideal spot to view the changing scenery. A knowledgeable staff will make us feel a part of the exploration team. As we cruise the Willamette River we’ll pass under several bridges and through the heart of Portland before we reach the Columbia River. Relax in the ship’s lounge and enjoy the company of fellow Nomads. In the morning you’ll wake to the mountainous beauty of the Cascades. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Wednesday, October 6

Eastern Washington’s Wine Country (B, L, D)

As we traverse eastern Washington’s wine country we’ll view the majestic Cascade Mountains and the lush fields that have proven to be excellent for viniculture. During the day the scenery will change from fertile fields and forested mountains to a drier region with desert-colored canyons. The setting is not too different from the landscape Lewis and Clark found as they charted their course through unfamiliar territory. A series of locks, commissioned by Franklin D. Roosevelt, will lift the ship nearly 700 feet and into the canyons. At the entrance to the Snake River we’ll pass between banks formed by the largest basalt flow in the world. Naturalists and historians aboard the ship will make this an informative and interesting adventure. While we enjoy the natural beauty we can retreat to the comfort of the Sea Lion for the ultimate camping experience. Nomads will enjoy shared dining and open seating, which is an ideal way to enjoy a delicious meal and to meet new people. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Thursday, October 7

Clarkston (B, L, D)

Nomads can choose one of two ways to spend the day. Your first option is a comfortable jet boat ride up the Snake River into Hell’s Canyon, the deepest river gorge in North America. You will stop along the way to view old homesteads, to learn more about the river’s changing geology, and to look for Rocky Mountain Big Horn sheep. During a stop at Buffalo Eddy you’ll see Native American petroglyphs. The other choice will take you in Lewis and Clark’s footsteps along the Clearwater River to visit actual campsites of the famed explorers. A local historian will lead this guided tour and offer insight into the relationship between Lewis and Clark and the Nez Perce Indians. You’ll begin to see the rocks in the shoreline’s shallow waters as the dangers they were, and learn how they nearly sunk the explorers’ canoes. This evening’s dinner aboard ship will provide time to compare notes with those who chose the other option today. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Friday, October 8

Exploring the Palouse River (B, L, D)

Today Nomads will feel a real kinship with Lewis and Clark as we navigate the quiet waters of the Palouse River aboard Zodiacs and kayaks to enjoy adventure in the midst of a magnificent setting. Our morning cruise aboard the Zodiacs takes us through a landscape created over 12,000 years ago by the Bretz Floods. This catastrophic series of floods followed the last ice age and occurred with sudden periodic ruptures of an area ice dam that would break apart and reform. Later we’ll travel by motor coach to the Palouse Falls, the last of several waterfalls created during the glacial floods. During the journey we might see native mule deer, American coots, western grebes, great blue herons and graceful cormorants. After a remarkable day in the midst of nature’s majesty, we’ll feel like real campers as we enjoy a barbecue dinner. Of course when you’re on the ultimate camping trip it seems fitting that the barbecue dinner will be on the deck of our ship. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Saturday, October 9

Columbia River Gorge and Hood River (B, L, D)

Journals written by members of the Corps of Discovery, including Lewis and Clark, guided those who followed them. Nomads may well make notes about the dramatic setting as we make our way through the Columbia River Gorge and encounter the magnificent 620-foot high Multnomah Falls. The Corps of Discovery wrote about the numerous falls along this gorge, but certainly these falls were the most spectacular. We’ll learn about the geological origins of the gorge and about 10,000 years of human history as we visit the Columbia Gorge Discovery Center.

This is the same area described by Lewis and Clark as the location of the Celilo Falls where 10,000 Native Americans from throughout the Pacific Northwest came to fish and trade. These falls and others disappeared when the river was harnessed for hydro-power, navigation, irrigation, and flood control. Hood River is one of the towns we’ll pass through on our journey. Hood River and its almost constant wind gusts make it the perfect place to windsurf and earned it the nickname “Windsurfing Capital of the World.” It might be interesting to consider whether Lewis and Clark could have imagined such recreation being part of this scene. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Sunday, October 10

Astoria (B, L, D)

On the last day of our “ultimate camping trip” we might consider what Lewis and Clark must have felt when they reached the end of their journey. Their cross-country trek took approximately two years (depending on whether it began when Lewis set out or when he was joined by Clark). Amazingly, despite real dangers encountered along the way, all but one member of the Corps of Discovery survived the ordeal. Although they were not the first to make their way through the area, they were the first to give detailed descriptions of area flora and fauna. They also detailed the life styles of the Indian nations that resided in the area. As we navigate to the mouth of the Columbia River at Astoria we’ll stop to visit a full scale reconstruction of Fort Clatsop, where the explorers managed to survive the long wet winter of 1805. We’ll have time to visit the Columbia River Maritime Museum and enjoy a stunning view of the area from the top of the Astor Column. Tonight aboard the ship there are apt to be stories and comparisons shared with fellow Nomads and if the journals we write lack historic significance, they will certainly help us remember the thrill of the expedition. Overnight: National Geographic Sea Lion

Monday, October 11

Portland/Detroit (B, FM)

After breakfast this morning we’ll disembark the Sea Lion and head for home. The mementos we take with us may not be too different from those Lewis and Clark took back: a sense of accomplishment and a new appreciation of life in the wilderness. Although the trip made by this historic duo was a bit more rustic than our adventure, we now share a common bond—we have enjoyed in a most spectacular way the “ultimate camping trip.”

A Lewis & Clark Expedition