One of the great aspects of summertime is that it’s easy to get out and explore the country.
Instead of flying to visit our daughter’s family in Minnesota, we decided to drive our way there. But not just to “get there”; I wanted the trip to have a purpose.
So, we decided to drive to MN via the Lewis and Clark Trail, going backwards from their destination on the Oregon Coast to their first winter camping in Mandan, North Dakota.
Now, the first thing that should come to your mind is the question “Who in their right mind would spend a winter camping in freezing North Dakota or the rain drenched Oregon Coast?”
And that is part of the wonder of the Expedition.
Just imagine travelling for two years, literally not knowing where you were going, and going along the Mississippi, Snake and Columbia Rivers, not to mention OVER the Rocky Mountains…and back!
Stopping along various “Historical Markers” and Visitor Centers, we learned about all of the people on the Corps of Discovery, as well as Merriwether Lewis, William Clark and the amazing Sacagaweja. These three historical figures, and how their lives tied together for the journey, is simply inspiring.
Just in case you don’t have the time to drive the entire trek, you might be able to hit a few of the “highlights” instead. You’ll still learn a lot and be fascinated by what was accomplished.
In fact, my wife and I took our kids to a number of the “major” places when they were growing up, which is what inspired me to “take it all in” in one fell swoop.
So, 
anyway, here are the TOP TEN sights to see in the Lewis and Clark Expedition, in no particular order…
- Cape Disappointment State Park & Interpretive Center: Illwaco Washington and Astoria, Oregon-this is where the Expedition spent the winter of 1805. The foreboding Oregon Coast is stunning, and the reproduction of their fort is enchanting. You can also see where they got drenched for 12 straight days at “Dismal Nitch”
- Fort Mandan-Bismark, North Dakota. The 1804-05 winter was in this frigid tundra. It is also where Lewis and Clark initially met
Toussaint Charbonneau, and his recently purchased wife, Sacagaweja. - Lolo Pass Visitor Center, On the mountainous border of Idaho and Montana, this is where the Expedition
carried their boats, etc over the Continental Divide, a truly staggering feat. - Sacagaweja State Park Interpretive Center, Pasco Washington; This serene area marks where the Snake River converges with the Columbia, making it the last leg to the Pacific Ocean.
Sacagaweja Interpretive Center, Salmon, Idaho/Camp Fortunate Overlook, Wyoming. While mostly underwater now, you can still “see” where Sacagaweja was reunited with her brother, and the area where her tribe, the Shoshone, actually lived.
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive
Center, Great Falls, Missouri: While the waters have been domesticated by modernity, it is still easy to get a flavor of what The Expedition had to undertake to go over and around the giant waterfalls. The Center is one of the best. Pompey’s Pillar National Monument, Wyoming. On the return trip, William Clark carved his name on a giant stone. It’s still there! Watch out for the mosquitoes!
Bozeman Montana-Three Forks. This is where the Gallatin, Madison and Jefferson River merge to actually create the Mississippi. Don’t look down on the day of small beginnings!
- Three Affiliated Tribes Museum/Knife River Indian Villages, New Town, North Dakota: Here is the village that Sacagaweja lived in after being captured
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters and Visitor Center, Omaha Nebraska: This is where Lewis and Clark camped, fished and hunted with the
Native People and befriended the Indian Chiefs. A wonderful edifice that shows how people can get along. - BONUS-Upper Missouri Riber Breatks National Monument: Fort Benton, Montana. Did Lewis and Clark think they landed on the moon? What were they thinking?
Hopefully, this list will give you the bug to see what makes America worth discovering, and increase your sense of adventure.