In Richland, Washington, a jet boat awaits interested commuters for a fascinating trip up the Columbia River. These passengers are headed for the Hanford Reach; the last free flowing section of the Columbia in the United States.

Captain and guide Ray Hamilton is a former passenger who loved the trip so much he earned his coast guard certification to pilot these big boats. He’s now done close to a hundred trips on the river. “I think just about anyone would enjoy this trip”, Hamilton. It has history, geology, beauty, etc. and “it has the characteristics of a wild river that hasn’t been dammed”, Hamilton.

Along the shores of the river, passengers are graced with sights of deer and elk along with a diversity of birds. Scores of white pelicans are among the frequent visitors to the waterway. Pelicans aren’t the only birds you’ll find along this stretch of the Columbia, though. Among the varieties, white egrets, swallows, and sea osprey (fish hawk) are prevalent.

The wildlife is only one of the attractions of this tour. There are many picturesque scenes, such as the Hanford Dunes. The Dunes mark the beginning of the Hanford Reach National Monument…established in 2000 it is the U.S. Fish and Wildlife’s only national monument.

The monument at Hanford not only helps protect the areas wildlife and rich ecosystem, it also provides a glimpse into an important period of history. The plutonium reactors of Hanford fueled the atomic bomb dropped on Nagasaki, Japan. No longer in production, these remnants of World War II and the Cold War are now being dismantled and the area cleaned up.

From the dynamic scenery and abundant wildlife to unique history, a Columbia River Journey is definitely a chance to cruise an amazing river, a slot on the adventure list. http://www.columbiariverjourneys.com/

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