National Geographic Quest anchored overnight on the Columbia River, just off the city of Pasco, Washington. We awoke to a beautiful morning, with massive freight trains chugging their way east to west and back over the Columbia River via the railroad bridge just ahead of our vessel. After breakfast, it was Zodiac to shore, board our luxury coaches, and spend the day exploring the Walla Walla area! Guests had the choice between visiting the Fort Walla Walla Museum and the Whitman Mission National Historic Site, then switching in the afternoon. But both groups got to go Three Rivers Winery, where we met for lunch, and had a wine tasting and tour before leaving for the other site that they did not see in the morning! Finally, back to the ship, got underway, and headed up the Snake River for our next stop!
10/3/2024
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National Geographic Sea Lion
Walla Walla, Washington
We took our Zodiacs to shore and boarded busses for our day’s adventure in and around Walla Walla, Washington. First stop for most was the Whitman Mission National Historic Site. This museum and park preserve the memory of a tragic altercation between Native Americans and early white missionaries that resulted in the death of thirteen missionary settlers and ultimately the decimation of the Cayuse native people of the Walla Walla area. The site is a beautiful and peaceful park with trails to the settler’s graves and a monument dedicated to the memory of the event. We left the mission site for lunch and wine tasting at the Three Rivers Winery in Walla Walla. After lunch, some of the group went venturing to the Fort Walla Walla Museum and others went directly to town. Among its many interesting artifacts, the museum displays a replica pioneer village with buildings reconstructed from original materials dating from the latter-half of the nineteenth century. Last stop for all before heading back to National Geographic Sea Lion was the beautiful downtown center of Walla Walla. While window shopping and exploring the town, nearly all our guests took advantage of a free ice-cream cone.