At 0600 hours, with the light of dawn barely perceptible, the National Geographic Quest makes her way upstream on the Snake River, bound for its confluence with the Palouse River. A waning crescent moon stands high overhead and just below it is the constellation of Orion, the Mighty Hunter. Those of us up early and on the bow are lucky to hear coyotes howling on the portside shore. At least two coyotes seem to be having a conversation and it is easy to understand why Native Americans called them “song dogs.” Soon after dawn, we arrive at the mouth of the Palouse River and begin our day of adventures, visiting Palouse Falls and taking Zodiac cruises up the river. We also launched our fleet of kayaks, a popular option.