Small Ship Tour: Rivers of Adventure and Wine

If there is one thing UnCruise knows how to do, its take their guests on an adventure. This particular cruise has a bit less adventure than some itineraries but I definitely wasn't bored during our 8 day trip and felt like I earned the absolutely incredible meals at the end of each day.

Each day there were multiple options of excursions to choose from. Usually the lead guide would talk through all the options the night before at happy hour and then we'd sign up for what we preferred. Luckily there was no shortage of options to take advantage of.

Hiking
We enjoyed multiple hiking throughout our trip. There was always a more strenuous and less strenuous option so everyone who wanted to hike got a chance without feeling like they might hold back the group or move too fast. Hiking always had a pay off with great views from the surrounding mountain ranges to waterfalls. It was hard to pick a favorite, so why not a tie?

The Sea to Fort trail in Astoria was a great overview of the regions ecosystems taking us from the beach into the forest and ending at Fort Clatsop. The hike was about 6 miles, mostly flat with a short uphill section towards the end. The guides took their time and we ate lunch along the way so there were ample opportunities to stop for photos, catch your breath or admire the scenery. Ending at Fort Clatsop we had some time to explore the small museum before returning to the ship.
The Tom MaCall Point Trail was a shorter but steeper climb with rewarding views. We could see the mighty Columbia below and caught glimpses of Mt Hood and Mt Adams during an exceptionally clear day. This was the most challenging hike we experienced but I loved the views throughout and it was nice to do some work after a few days that had been more relaxed.

Kayaking
By day 5 we had made our way to the Palouse River and finally had a chance to do some kayaking. Though boarding from a zodiac (out of one boat and into another) was a bit challenging, the gentle float through the canyon was the perfect spot for kayaking. We got out early enough that it wasn't too hot and the river flowed gently so even the beginners in the group could manage. Lots of bird life in this region to watch. It was a nice quiet float and I enjoyed the tranquility of the activity

White Water Rafting
The Deschutes River is perfect for a beginner because the water is fun but super safe, the dam upstream controls the river flow so the guides know exactly what each rapid is going to look like. Our local guides were experts and very professional, it was clear they could have easily gotten the boat down the river without us but it was still fun to help a little. More fun though was riding rodeo through the rapids - as long as you're ready to get wet!