A foggy morning met National Geographic Sea Lion as she rolled into Astoria to dock and begin our daily activities. A bulk carrier vessel with fog horns blaring offloaded its Columba bar pilot without losing a single knot moving upstream to take its position with the others waiting for port clearance.
One group of guests visited the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center and Waikiki Beach at Cape Disappointment while the other group enjoyed Astoria Column and the Columbia River Maritime Museum, spending the entire day soaking up the vibe in the United States’ first settlement west of the Rocky Mountains.
Returning to National Geographic Sea Lion, guests enjoyed local wine and beer followed by their first recap by expedition staff, kicking off a journey upstream on the Columbia and Snake Rivers.
Photos by Patrick MacQuarrie and Chelsea Mayer
