Cruising on Saturday: The Snake River and Hell's Canyon area

 It's hard for me to get excited about a little boat on a little river so what I was most looking forward to today, was being guided by a local Native American man on a little boat in a little river. LOL

The day surprised me though!

At close to 6am I woke to a little thud. The only thud we had experienced in 6 days on this American Song had been positioning us in a lock or at a dock. I decided to investigate and what I found was the perfect morning and the perfect opportunity to experience and document, our last lock.

The boat was so quiet! One other passenger who was almost as deeply fascinated by these as I was, joined me at the bow, the stern, the bow again... As everyone else slept.

While everything was still neat and quiet, I took some boat pics for you.

This boat is 5 stories high.

Level One: The front of the boat is the dining room. The back features a little deck and is the part that pulls open and slides a walking ramp out, as needed. I think somewhere in between is where they stash the crew overnight. 

Level Two: All guest staterooms.

Level Three: All guest staterooms. 

Level Four: Cascade Lounge at the front, River Lounge at the back, guest rooms and the center staircase and elevator in between.

Level Five: Completely outside (partially shaded and mostly uncovered) on the top of the boat.

The front of the American Song from level 4.

The Cascade Lounge, on level 4 at the front.

The back of the boat on level 5 

Looking down on the level 4 rear deck - home to the Patio Grill . (And the freezer featuring on demand ice cream snacks!)

The River Lounge is the rear end of the boat at level 4. It's where one finds early bird coffee and pastries before the dining room is open for breakfast. I may or may not have had "first breakfast" here a couple of times.

I got wind that a couple had been spotted "camping" on the upper deck and decided to check it out. Sure enough, hidden in the fort they had created out of cushions, surrounded by used glasses and empty wine bottles... A snoring guy in a sleep mask and his bride, wrapped in bedding from their state room.  I was not sure what to make of it. Jealous? Judgmental? Amused? Confused?  All of the above, I'd say.

And just like that, the sun was up and the day was starting.  Mmmm... breakfast.

Hell's Canyon, here we come...  With Michael the guide and Brett (?) the boat pilot.

There were delightful hieroglyphics along the way, but those pics are still trapped in the "big camera" and I'll update this post when I finally get around to processing them. For now, this is the attempt at capturing the amazing basalt hills that towered the river.

Years ago, one of Michaels tribal elders lost his life while saving drowning kids in this river. He plays and sings to honor the memory in this spot.

Being that this was the last afternoon I'd be aboard the American Song, this gal took some time to herself and drank in the sunshine later that afternoon. (Secretly preparing for the cocktails, wine and surf'n'turf dinner coming my way!)

Chef Micheal went out with a bang! Hor d'oeuvres and wine were followed by steak and lobster dinner served with champagne - because that was Reggie's recommendation and who am I to disagree with the sommelier?!

Why, yes... Yes, that is glitter on my crème bruleè! 

Footnote: We disembarked the next morning and took a shuttle to Spokane. It was time to go home. 

This had been a beautiful adventure. None of which would have been possible or as fun, without Donnie by my side.... laughing, drinking, exploring, learning and making new friends together.