National Parks & Legendary Rivers – American Jazz

Board the ship and enjoy a day with Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens as your backdrop as we cruise to the mouth of the West’s most famous river. In the golden age of riverboats, sternwheelers crossed the waterfront while steam whistles and calliopes rang out across the water. With its sparkling rivers, stately evergreens, and mild climate, you will understand why this area was noted as exceptional by explorer Meriwether Lewis.

Astoria is the oldest American settlement west of the Rockies. Colorful Victorian homes adorn the hillside that climbs steeply up from the river, earning it the nickname “The Little San Francisco.” Explore this remarkable town on your own or choose from a collection of well-curated excursions. Step into history on a guided exploration to the National Park Service replica of Fort Clatsop, the 1805-06 winter camp of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Board a local red trolley to ride along the picturesque waterfront or savor the perspective from a bluff high above the city at the picturesque Astoria Column. Peruse the town’s quaint shops, galleries, wineries, and brew pubs. Or simply stroll off the ship to the nearby acclaimed Columbia River Maritime Museum.

Explore Kalama, a small town nestled in between the big cities of Portland, OR and Seattle, WA. While here you can peruse one of the many antique stores, take a walk along the Columbia River, or visit one of the nearby wineries. Perhaps the most impactful of all landmarks in the region is Mount St. Helens. From high on an overlook, bear witness to the awesome power of the volcano whose eruption in 1980 scorched 230 square miles of forest land and forever changed the landscape and the lives of those in surrounding towns.

From the comfort of your private balcony, admire the magnificent bluffs of the Columbia River Gorge, covered in deep green forest and framed by picturesque hillsides that quickly ascend toward the sky. Windsurfers and kiteboarders adorn the landscape as they drift across the broad, shining river.

The Columbia River Gorge is a spectacular river canyon cutting through the Cascade Mountain Range with amazing natural contrasts of rain forests and desert, sea-level passage and alpine meadows. As the largest federally protected National Scenic Area in the US, the Gorge boasts stunning waterfalls, basalt cliffs, lakes, streams, rivers, and fields of wildflowers. In the 1800’s, Lewis & Clark traveled down the scenic Gorge on their journey westward, with Oregon Trail pioneers following soon after. Today, the area offers a variety of history museums and art centers, fine dining, theaters, wineries, as well as impressive landscapes in the world!

Pendleton is known for its beautiful countryside, indigenous Native American Tribes, and the network of underground tunnels created a century ago for illicit activities. The area is also famous for its lucrative wool trade in the 18th and 19th centuries. Visit the REACH Museum in Richland which illustrates the culture and history of the region through engaging exhibits, artifacts, and tours.

Relax on your private balcony as you take in the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. Enjoy some local wines and spirits while you comingle with your fellow travelers.

After breakfast and disembarking the ship, travel north to Coeur d’Alene, Idaho for a cruise on Lake Coeur d’Alene. Enjoy the spectacular scenery while enjoying a relaxing lunch on a private charter. Travel to Kalispell for an overnight stay.

After a complimentary breakfast, we will depart for West Glacier. On your travels, stop at St. Regis Travel Center to stretch your legs and check out the small museum. Next stop at Famous Dave’s BBQ for a delicious lunch. Before arriving at the hotel, listen to a Ranger Talk at the Apgar Visitor Center, before stopping at Apgar Amphitheatre for a chance to go down to the lake and grab one of the famous colored rocks. In the evening enjoy dinner, featuring Montana inspired fare. Enjoy a 2-night stay in a hotel, conveniently located near the west entrance to Glacier National Park.

Travel through Montana toward Yellowstone National Park. Along the way, your Adventure Guide will provide narration and fun National Park activities. We will stop for lunch in Butte, MT and a rest stop in the quaint town of Ennis, MT.

After breakfast at the hotel, spend a full day in Yellowstone National Park, the World’s First National Park, known for its unique hydrothermal and geological features. This nearly 3,500-sq.-mile wilderness recreation area is set atop a volcanic hot spot and is larger than the states of Rhode Island and Delaware combined, with over 290 waterfalls, including the impressive Upper Falls of Yellowstone River. Led by your Adventure Guide, explore the upper portion of the Grand Loop in Yellowstone National Park with stops at colorful Norris Geyser Basin, Tower Fall, and the historic Mammoth Hot Springs. In the evening, enjoy dinner before retiring at the hotel in Island Park, Idaho.

After breakfast at the hotel, enjoy a full day at Yellowstone National Park, the World’s First National Park, known for its geyser basins, wildlife, waterfalls, and more. Visit the Mammoth Hot Springs with a local guide. Enjoy lunch in Canyon Village, where you can admire some of the parks incredible views, including the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. Depart for the Upper Falls of Yellowstone, enjoying breathtaking vistas along the way. Visit Mud Volcano, one of the resurgent domes, where the land moves up or down with the fluctuation of the magma chamber below. In the evening, enjoy dinner at a local establishment before returning to the hotel.

After breakfast, spend more time exploring the lower loop of Yellowstone National Park. Stop at Fountain Paint Pot Trail and visit the world’s most famous geyser, Old Faithful. Later, enjoy lunch and free time to explore this area. Depart for Grand Teton National Park, admiring the scenic views along the way and stop at Colter Bay Visitor Center to learn about the park and the peaks that tower over the bay.

After breakfast, your Adventure Guide will lead you through the highlights of the Grand Teton National Park. Explore the Craig Thomas Discovery Center, featuring a variety of exhibits and artwork with the interwoven themes of place, people, preservation, and mountaineering. Attend a Ranger Talk during which you can learn more about the region and even get some stargazing tips. Enjoy lunch and exploration at the scenic Jenny Lake, the centerpiece of the park, tucked away at the base of the Teton Range. After, hike the Taggart Lake Trail, where you can admire outstanding views. In the evening, celebrate your amazing journey with fellow travelers during a farewell dinner.

After breakfast, take our included transfer to the airport to begin your travels home.