Tuesday, October 12, 2021

The Bonneville Dam

As we came up the. Columbia River this morning, we enjoyed seeing a rock formation, which was
named by Lewis and Clark when they explored the territory in 1805-1806.


Soon everyone came out on the deck to see the famous Bonneville Dam and watch as we went through the locks.

Here: the locks closing behind the boat, with the rock formations in the distance.

Going through the locks.


Woody Guthrie wrote the song “Roll on, Columbia” in 1941, when he was hired for a month to write songs about the hydroelectric dams on the Columbia River. Here are a few verses to go with my photos:

Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Roll on, Columbia, roll on
Your power is turning our darkness to dawn
So roll on, Columbia, roll on…

Tom Jefferson's vision would not let him rest
An empire he saw in the Pacific Northwest
Sent Lewis and Clark and they did the rest
So roll on, Columbia, roll on…
At Bonneville now there are ships in the locks
The waters have risen and cleared all the rocks
Shiploads of plenty will steam past the docks
So roll on, Columbia, roll on

6 comments:

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

Although I have never heard that song, I enjoyed seeing the locks and how they work. Love traveling with you vicariously, Mae.

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

That was a serious lock. I could spend hours watching them work.

Kitchen Riffs said...

Sounds like you're having a wonderful time! I've never seen Bonneville Dam -- glad you gave me the opportunity. Thanks!

Iris Flavia said...

Impressive.

DVArtist said...

You are having a nice vacation for sure.

My name is Erika. said...

I've been here, as well as Astoria. And that same beach. I remember the wreck. It's beautiful there. Hope you're having a super trip.