Okay, there is so much more to any ACL adventure in terms of on-board entertainment, activities, and always-exciting excursions. Still, please bear with me because I became enthralled by the Lewis and Clark storyline. So that's where I'll begin.

It was considered the "moon launch of its day" because nothing was known of the Pacific Northwest or where exactly the elusive Pacific Ocean was. Forty the President didn't just want someone of courage to lead his expedition -- he wanted someone with medical knowledge, a botanist, a naturalist, an interpreter, one who could get along with hostile Indians, a team leader -- and a good communicator as the Corps of Discovery, 40 men led by Captains Lewis and Clark, kept in close contact with the President over their many months away. I still find that hard to fathom. It's only 1804.

They thought they'd see a mastodon but encountered buffalo instead -- and elk, antelope, prairie dogs, wolves, bears, lots of beaver, and vast varieties of birds. Everything was new. They recorded, inscribed, and sent many unknown plants back to Washington for further study. So many artifacts, botanical specimens, minerals, animals, foods, tribal culture -- how they accomplished all that while still fighting to stay alive through multiple hardships remains inspirational today. Again, it is still only 1804.

photo by Victor Block.

From the Missouri River and eventually to the Columbia, they mapped the land, recorded its resources, interacted with a multitude of Indigenous tribes -- and often suffered through tumultuous weather conditions, impossible travel conditions, and, of course, periods of starvation and illness.

Photo by Ritu Jethani/Dreamstime.com

Along the way, they met up with a Canadian fur trader, Toussaint Charbonneau, and his pregnant wife, Sacagawea. Her son Jean Babtiste became the youngest member of the Corps, and his Shoshone mother was one of its most effective in intermingling with other tribes. Much to the surprise of Lewis and Clark, they discovered that the Indigenous tribes they encountered were very sophisticated traders and far superior navigators of the rivers. They had a lot to learn.

The ACL journey brought alive the many hardships the Corps struggled against and the bravery and perseverance with which they carried out their historic mission.

About American Cruise Lines

As a travel writer, I avoid superlatives, but American Cruise Lines is genuinely terrific. The entire staff, who cannot accept gratuities, are remarkably accommodated. I requested a drink called a Fireball, which they did not offer -- and by the next night, it was on board. Do I need to remind you that we were on a ship at the time?

You can eat 24/7. There's an Early Riser breakfast before the dining room breakfast; an all-day cafe in the Sky Lounge bracketing the more formal lunches and dinners; Cookie time at 10 and 3 provides necessary sustenance between meals. The cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres before dinner might interfere with the more than generous dinner options. Still, of course, that doesn't happen -- and an hour later, no one skimps on the open bar, ice cream treats, and popcorn that accompany the evening entertainment. Did I mention that snacks and beverages are available 24/7?

Photo-by-Victor-Block

Rest assured, there's a Fitness Room to counter all those calories, but no one goes there seriously. The saving grace? All meals come in half-portions, which are more than sufficient in this close-to-5-star restaurant.

And should you wish to stay on board, few people do, ship activities abound. Daily lectures, interactive games galore, guest speakers, music, and multiple places to get away from it all to drink, read, isolate, socialize, or ponder life.

As immersive as the Lewis and Clark adventure, another excursion to the Mount St. Helen's volcano brought its own wonder. The eruption of Mount St Helens in May 1980 remains the deadliest and most economically destructive volcanic event in US history, decimating the entire area for miles around.

THE ERUPTION OF MOUNT ST. HELEN'S VOLCANO IS ONE OF SCIENCE'S LASTING EXTRAVAGANZAS

Unlike most volcanoes, the lava spewed horizontally from a crack in its side instead of vertically, making its impact even more consequential, wiping out life and land for over 260 square miles. Fifty-seven people were killed, and two hundred homes, forty-seven bridges, fifteen miles of railways, and 185 miles of highway were destroyed. A massive debris avalanche triggered by an earthquake reduced the mountain's elevation from 9677 to 8363 feet. Lakes, glaciers, landslides, lava domes, craters, heat, ash, gas – all flourished beyond the eruption. Mt. St. Helen's is the only place in the world with this intermingling of natural creations of such geologic significance.

Photo by Victor Block

From absolute nothingness emerged an entirely new landscape. And it happened in just 45 years. Experts have been studying Mt. St. Helen's for decades – and for good reason. It's a geological extravaganza.

Our exciting journey ended in Clarkston, Washington – directly across the river from Lewiston, Oregon. Seems we had come full circle. How fitting.

For more information, visit American Cruise lines.

And just FYI, in honor of the country's 250^th birthday next year, American Cruise Lines recently announced a new slate of extended 50+-day cruises. These new Bucket List cruises are the longest US River cruises on the market.