American Crusie 1rst

Friday September 13, 2

Red Lion Hotel

Red Lion Hotel

Well another adventure for the Kime’s.  Left Orlando airport on Alaska Airlines on a non-stop flight to Portland, OR to board American Cruise Lines, Columbia & Snake River eight day Cruise.  Met our good friends Bill & Judy Hesser joining us from Oshkosh, Wi on the cruise.  Unfortunately, there travel plans got complicated by airline mechanical problems missing a connection, causing a sleep over in Seattle, but finally making the ship after a full 24hr miserable travel day.  So much for “Friday the 13^{th ”} and a full moon!  Our day was much better, arriving 20 minutes ahead of schedule.  Anyway, that’s why it is always good to plan an extra day ahead for a major trip, and we both did the Pre-cruise overnight at the Red Lion Hotel in Portland.

American Song

Saturday September 14, 2019

Morning began with a delightful breakfast with Bill & Judy finally joining us.  This was followed by our Cruise Director briefing and Boarding instructions.  Boarding began at 10:30am and our state rooms were ready.  Very nice ship, American Song, built in 2018, so new.  184 Guests.  33

Boarding American Song

Very comfortable ship, lovely state room.  We were actually supposed have boarded American Pride, a Paddle Wheel Boat, but due to a river lock closed, we start on Song and will transfer to Pride after the Lock.  A little inconvenience but not too bad.  Our journey will take us from Astoria, OR to Clarkston, WA / Lewiston, ID.  Pulled away from the dock at 1:30pm in Portland in route to Astoria for overnight docking.

The afternoon while in route to Astoria, we had a presentation by a historian covering the exploration and discovery of the Columbia River.  Signed up for side trip excursions offered for the upcoming week. Dinner around 7pm, early bed after a full day.

Sunday September 15, 2019

Red Lion Hotel

Up Early for a Hop on Hop Off tour of Astoria.  Shuttle to downtown quick walk through the farmers market.  Stopped in front of “Liberty Theater”, the first acting job for Clark Gable.   Then on to Maritime Museum.  Astoria Column, a 125 foot monument showing the 300 years of competition between Spain, England, France, Russia and the United States.   Magnificent view after climbing 164 steps.  Finally, the tour of the Flavel House Mansion.  The wealthiest family in Astoria.  Fun day.  Walked to check out the marina before returning to the ship.

Monday September 16, 2019

Early morning departure from Astoria.  Beautiful river scenery.  Excursion today to Mt. St. Helens.  But first a presentation by our on board Historian covering the Lewis & Clark Expedition.  Of course including a major part of the Columbia / Snake Rivers.  Awesome story with a bit of humorous presentation.  Our departure for St. Helen was 1:00pm.  Recalling the famous volcanic blast from 1980 affecting the majority of the United States.  More to come another day.