Following the Lewis and Clark Trail

April 26, 2026—— Astoria, Oregon

Dear friends,

It is time for Ellen to begin her 2026 travel adventures. This year’s plan is to stay within the United States. If world political events change, I may decide to travel someplace new outside the USA!

For 2026, my first adventure includes a cruise with my friend Charlene Sox, fellow retired professor and a colleague from Appalachian State. We will on a cruise from Oregon at the Pacific Ocean East on the Lewis and Clark Trail along the Columbia and Snake Rivers into the border between Idaho, Washington, and Oregon following the reverse journey of Lewis and Clark took in the 1800’s.

This river cruise will be relaxing and give us insight into historical events and a view of parts of our country in depth.

Will be traveling on a luxurious American Cruise line ship with stops along the way. Expert guides will join our adventure to give us important information about each stop.

We began our journey on Friday April 24 with a 2 1/2 hour drive from Boone to Charlotte. Here we caught a plane to LA and then a second plane to Portland Oregon.

As we got closer to California, the clouds cleared, and I was able to photograph the beautiful mountains in Arizona and in California from the plane.

However, Los Angeles was still encased in light smog as we arrived.

Saturday, April 25:

Saturday morning began early with breakfast at our hotel and then a motorcoach ride north of Portland to visit Moltnomah Falls before arriving at the dock to board our ship on the river.

Arriving before lunchtime, we were able to board the ship, unpack, then have an enjoyable lunch.

Our afternoon was spent with an orientation to the ship and going through our first lock on the Columbia river as we headed north toward the Pacific Ocean.

I will try to post every day or two on the ship about our adventures. Thanks for going on this trip with us!

Ellen