Day 7 - Columbia River Cruising - Thursday

This morning, enjoy scenic cruising downriver, and do as much or as little as you like. You may hear talks by our ship’s historian and naturalists, take part in a wine tasting or pamper yourself and make an appointment with our onboard masseuse. This afternoon, the Columbia Queen drops its bow ramp along the river’s edge to join our motorcoaches and tour the esteemed Maryhill Museum, an elegant castle-like mansion overlooking the mighty Columbia River. Near Maryhill, view the Stonehenge Monument, entrepreneur Sam Hill’s full-size replica of England’s famous original.

We’ll also explore the Washington wine country, with a likely stop at one of the region’s prominent wineries. Take a sip and relish the ambience, enjoy the spectacular view of Mt. Hood or stroll grapevine-covered arbors.

Fair weather permitting, we’ve planned an exclusive stop at Columbia Hills State Park, where you can view the largest and only public, outdoor display of ancient rock images and petroglyphs in the Columbia Gorge, estimated to be 5,000 to 7,000 years old. The images were carved or painted by native peoples to mark spiritual quests, hunts or mythical tales.

Back on board the Columbia Queen, join the evening’s festivities in the Astoria Room, or perhaps check out a DVD and enjoy a relaxing evening in your comfortable stateroom.

Daily tour background descriptions:

Maryhill Museum
In 1907, Samuel Hill, an entrepreneur, bought thousands of acres of land overlooking the Columbia River to establish an agricultural community. Construction of his home, a castle-like mansion, began in 1914. His friend, Loie Fuller, a modem dance pioneer, suggested that it become a museum of art. In 1926, Hill invited Queen Marie of Romania to dedicate the unfinished museum in a ceremony witnessed by thousands of people. After Hill's death in 1931, Alma Spreckels, board member and San Francisco sugar heiress, spurred completion of the museum. It opened on Sam Hill's birthday, May 13, 1940. Today, Hill's original 7,000 acres are still intact. The fertile lands surrounding the museum are leased to ranchers and farmers, thus fulfilling Hill's extraordinary vision.

Maryhill Museum serves the Pacific Northwest as a major culture resource in the Columbia River Gorge region. Ongoing exhibits include Auguste Rodin sculptures, American and European paintings, international chess sets, Native American artifacts, Russian icons and Faberge artifacts, Queen Marie of Romania royal regalia, and Samuel Hill memorabilia.

Stonehenge Monument Just three miles east of Mary hill Museum, at the original Maryhill town site, is Sam Hill's full-size replica of England's neolithic Stonehenge. Samuel Hill built the structure as a World War I memorial for the fallen soldiers from Klickitat County, Washington.

Columbia Hills State Park/Horsethief Petroglyphs
Horsethief Lake is a National Historic Site, and has been described as the largest and only public, outdoor display of native rock images in the Columbia Gorge. The park includes 41 petroglyphs, rock carvings, and rock paintings. Some of the oldest pictographs in the northwest are found in the park, including “She Who Watches,” a well known and popular rock image. The petroglyphs are estimated to be 5,000 to 7,000 years old, and were carved or painted by native peoples to mark a spiritual quest, a hunt, mythical tales and brave deeds, however, the exact meaning of each image remains a mystery. The site was formerly largest burial ground of Indians in the area, and was an Indian campground for centuries, with the Wishram, Cloud, and Lishkam fishing with nets and spears between The Dalles and Celilo Falls.

Optional Tours 9 Holes of Golf at Goldendale Golf Club Goldendale Golf Club is located 35 minutes northeast of The Dalles, OR, at the base of the Simcoe Mountains. Surrounded with breathtaking views of Mt. Hood and Mt. Adams, the course is 10 miles north of the Columbia River gorge, just off highway 97 in Goldendale. We are known for providing supreme personal service, along with an atmosphere that is genuine and friendly. Come join us for an affordable round of golf with the picturesque views of our nature and beauty. Beautiful mountain views await you as you stoll over Bloodgood Creek and enjoy our ever present wildlife. Separate transportation will be arranged for anyone wishing to purchase this tour.