“I don’t think [the meaning of life] is what we’re seeking. I think [it’s] an experience of being alive, so that our life experiences on the purely physical plane will have resonances within our own innermost being and reality, so that we actually feel the rapture of being alive.”
—Joseph Campbell
During an enrichment presentation aboard the American Empress riverboat docked at Clarkson, Washington, J.R. Spencer, also known as Whitebull addressed our group. He is an artisan, educator, and performing artist of Native culture and living traditions of his people, the Nez Perse Tribe. He regaled us with the rich history of native stories and traditional music in a touching, lighthearted, and respectful manner. He took us on a journey dating back to the Legend [Dreamtime] Days of his ancestors and shared how these stories were passed down from one generation to another. During his talk, Whitebull told us that his people are very childlike and the wisdom teachings are from the heart. He began to chant in his native tongue and we were transported to another time and space. Suddenly, he turned to English and kept repeating “I love Oreos I love Oreos I love Oreos ” After nervous laughter engulfed the room, he added: “Now that your heart is open, let’s continue.” It was simple, it was wise and as he played his flute and played his tambourine, and continued to chant our hearts opened ever more to what he had to say about the wisdom teachings of his ancestors.
After a light lunch, we boarded a coast guard approved Jet Boat nature adventure into Hells Canyon. We felt the excitement rise as we first stepped aboard the covered, comfortable jet boats prepared to travel through North America’s deepest gorge that has peaks that rise almost 8,000 ft high. It was electric. It was fast like a “Bat out of Hell.” We witnessed the canyon’s beautiful, blue waters and roaming wildlife that included horses, cows, birds, and long-horned sheep in the cliffs. The ride was exhilarating to say the least as we ventured through the narrowest sections of Hell’s Canyon along the Snake River. Our knowlegeable and experienced captain named Justin, provided a narration about the canyon in detail, including the history and geology of this natural wonder of the world. He informed us that we would be riding through three states: Washington, Oregon and Idaho. He paused the boat to show us where the Pittsburg fire in Hell’s Canyon Recreation Area on the Wallova-Whitman National Forest, which was started by lightning burned through 6,400 acres. About half way through our half a day ride, we relaxed at the Idaho Garden Creek Preserve owned by the Nature Conservancy in Hell’s Canyon to stretch our legs, stroll through the orchard where turkeys make there home. Lemondade and chocolate chip cookies awaited us at The Porch.
We returned renewed and fulfilled as we re-boarded the Empress just about the time for dinner. We feasted on Crispy Fried Chicken Livers, Wild Rice Soup, Hand-tossed Caesar Salad, Lamb Ragu with Creamy Polenta, Duck Breast with Currant-Orange Gastrique, Grilled Shrimp with Champagne Sauce, wine and dessert followed by entertainment by the Empress Quartet.
