This day we take an excursion on a jet boat on the Snake River in to the area called “Hell’s Canyon.” This 6 hour adventure cruising on a jet boat up the Snake River for 55 miles is an amazing tour. Everyone needs to do this if you are ever in this part of the country. (Www.snake river adventures.com)

The scenery along the river is fascinating and beautiful; the geology of the hills and further in mountains is interesting; and the history is plentiful as told by the humorous jet boat driver. Wildlife, rafting and camping groups are numerous, too.

We board the 42 foot aluminum jet boat right next to our cruise ship. The boat holds 50 people and can cruise at almost 40 mph. The weather is coolish and cloudy. This is fortunate for us – it won’t be so hot in Hell’s Canyon!

As we start the journey up the Snake River, we see the ammo factory on one side and go under the ‘blue bridge’ I showed a picture of yesterday. The river is calm here but we actually traverse rapids further up.

Interesting sights: basalt flows in the ancient rock formations.

Petroglyphs!

Vacation summer homes with the only way in by boat. Some have ATVs and/or trucks to get their stuff up the side of the hill to their home. Generator powered, water pumped, solar. Now this is called rusticating.

We reach the Garden Creek Ranch on the boarders of Washington, Idaho and Oregon. The boat docks here and we enjoy lunch with time afterwards to explore the property. Apple orchards, old farm equipment and mule deer and wild turkeys. This ranch was started in 1850 by a Chinese family who planted the original orchard and gardens to serve people up and down the Snake River. Its exchanged hands since then several times but one home still on the property was built in 1920. Quite a place!

The jet boat loads up and we continue up the Snake River. Riding through the rapids on the river on a jet boat is fun!

There are a lot of sandy beaches along the river where people are resting and camping. The Snake River was about 12 feet higher in the Spring than it is now and this year the sandy beaches were covered by the river until June. You can see the water line on the rocks along the shore. We are told the rafting trips are 3 – 5 days depending on where they put in up the river, either where the Salmon River comes in or at the Hell’s Canyon Dam. You can easily see where the Salmon River comes into the Snake River, muddy Salmon River. The Salmon River is the longest free flowing river in the continental USA. The Snake River is the longest 1,040 miles.

The weather is clearing and the sun is hot. A short stop at the only waterfall on this section of the river. One of the guides jumps in to entertain us LOL

The awesome beauty of the scenery is powerful – translate: way too many pictures to show here! Oh, wait just a few more.

On the way back down the river, we stop at Hells’s Canyon National Recreation Area headquarters. Located at Cache Creek, there is a small visitor center with information about the river and a beautiful view down the Snake River.

A few more pictures of this long blog. The ones I took of the wildlife along the river are not that great – Big Horn Sheep, Mule Deer, and an Eagle. We did Osprey nests, Blue Herons and White Pelicans – did not take pictures of these since I can also see them at home!

Back at the hotel, we enjoy a presentation by the Nez Perce to end our amazing day! We are told about the music, the dance and their dress. Such beautiful people. The young man is only 16 years old and has had to go hunting for buffalo on their reservation land. His dress includes many eagle feathers and he holds one as well. The girl in the jungle (bells) dress, which she made, competes with over 3,000 dancers at the National Pow-Wow in Albuquerque, NM. It weighs 350 pounds. Quite a challenge to dance in! The one dress (white) is actually made from Big Horn Sheep and is over 200 years old. She is holding a corn husk bag over 300 years old. Enjoy the video at the end – their procession dance.