O The Joy!

We have seen the Pacific Ocean! We arrived at Cape Disappointment (not our name for it) and I have to tell you I had mixed feelings.... Joy that we finished, sorrow that it was over, and a feeling of accomplishment that we persevered.  In a light drizzling rain, because we were in a rain forest : ) we hiked to the top of the hill to savor the view of the ocean.  The Interpretive Center was a really good way to end the trip.  It was a very informative overview of the Expedition, and we felt it was a great review of our trip over the past 3 weeks.  After our time here, we continued to Fort Clatsop where the Expedition wintered on the Pacific Coast.  It was a much smaller fort than the ones we had seen before.  The men lamented the constant cold rain, and in fact longed for some of the harsh weather they had endured before.  Certainly, after a year and a half long trip, it would be hard to endure the constant cold rainy weather that they found at the coast.  There were no trading ships on the coast to provide supplies, so Cape Disappointment (so named by a British trader in the 1700's) was aptly named for the weary crew.


We have enjoyed Washington and Oregon with their beautiful scenery and cool weather! Our beloved Captian returned home today, and will sojourn with us again in 5 days!! Clark and Sacajamia will journey on with me down the Pacific Coast to meet up with family in California on Friday.  After our annual week at the beach, we will take one week to return home to Mississippi.  I feel like these 3 weeks have been a "marathon" of sorts for me.  Thank you for following along with us, and all of your kind and encouraging words.  Most of all thank you for the prayers!  God has sustained us and blessed us with a trip of a life time, and our hearts are thankful!


Until the next adventure,
Scannon

Great Expectations Part II

Monday, July 10

This was a monumental day for our Expedition.  We crossed the Continental Divide!  While this was our favorite part of the scenic tour to date, I can't fathom how daunting it must have seemed so many years ago to those tired weary travelers.  We were in the thick of the mountains, in an area called the Bitter Roots.  This is the time that that I began to think of how the Corps' Expectations were shattered at this point of their journey.  The group had been sent by Jefferson to find the long awaited, long dreamed of Northwest Passage.  They expected the small mountains that they were accustomed to, and they expected the next side of those mountains to be just like the path they had traveled so far.  But here, their expectations came face to face with reality.  There was no Northwest Passage.  There was no easy water route to expand trade easily all the way to the Pacific.  As so often is the case the Lord would use this mightily in my own life.  How about you? How many times does reality collide with your expectations?  What do you do then?
Usually the new mountains don't look like the old ones, and the other side--- well, it is never like the picture we have painted in our minds, that one that it must look like for contentment to be ours.  But the reality is, God doesn't need me to tell Him what a situation, or person, or place has to be or look like. His ways are not our ways, and for that I am thankful.

The Keelboat on Wheels took a detour off of the trail for a two night stay at Mary Jane's Farm close to Moscow, Idaho.  Idaho is certainly one of the prettiest states we have been to.  The terrain is so beautiful, and so full of variety.  We saw beautiful mountains, and Palouse country.  That was a new one for us.  The land is like giant rolling hills, with gorgeous farmland that looks like giant layered patch-work quilts.
The Farm was a wonderful treat for all of us.  We were able to stay in cabin tents with outdoor kitchens, which were very "shabby-chic" for lack of a better word!  The breakfast was fabulous, and everyone was so friendly.  The children were able to feed the horses fresh carrots from the greenhouse, and check the hen house for eggs.  They snacked on fresh veggies that they picked, and brought me a bouquet of lavender as a surprise! Such fun!!  If you get a chance, google Mary Jane's Farm-- too pretty for words!

Justin had a birthday while we were there, and we celebrated with s'mores with homemade marshmallows, complements of a dear friend! (Thanks again!!)  When he rejoins us in California at the beach, I will make a birthday cake for him : )

Wednesday
Reluctantly we left the farm, and headed to
Dayton, Washington for lunch at a cafe, and a quick stop to see a collection of metal silhouettes of everyone on the Expedition--- worth the stop!  Next we saw another Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center  which was also good.

We set up camp at Peach Beach in Goldendale Washington.  We unhooked the truck and struck out to find a good place for dinner.  The Captain let me choose... (yeah, you can tell this isn't going to be good)
and I chose Gee's Family Restaurant over a few saloons.  There were lots of cars out front, good main street location... in rural Washington state.  I thought we would get some good hearty food to tide us over for a late evening.  Well, we were surprised to see that it was a Chinese restaurant, sort of... They also had an American menu.  We were treated to the local farmers and factory workers discussing the politics and well, gossip of the town.  You just can't beat small towns!  One of the guys is an actor and he picked up the tab for his table, because he recently "hit the big time."  He is going to keep his factory job, for a while anyway, just in case.  He may be cast in a new Cadillac commercial soon, so stay tuned!  There are maybe 2 times every 3 years that I wish I kept up with pop culture.  This is one of those times.... He may be famous one day, and I'll never know.  He could already be famous! Oh well.

Captain Lewis had a great idea to go stargazing at a local observatory.  In the real Expedition, there was always scientific observation happening.  Many journals were filled with sketches of plants, and animals with vivid descriptions.  They made notes of the weather conditions, and of course their interactions with the American Indians they met on the way.  The maps were astounding, and Clark was the expert cartographer of the crew.  Out of over 2,700 miles of terrain, his map was only 40 miles off!! Incredible!!
I am sure those guys knew a thing or two about the stars!  Well, we enjoyed ourselves, and had several good laughs along the way as well.  We all got a great look at craters on the moon, and heard an informative talk from the gentleman in charge of the observatory.

That brings us to today! I am sure you thought we would never get here... We had a relatively short driving day, but saw many interesting sites. We began with the Maryhill Museum in Goldendale.  What a treasure!! Here we found fantastic oil paintings, furniture and clothes from the Queen of Romania, and a phenomenal exhibit by Rodin.   Of course Max and Mia didn't know or care he was a famous sculptor, and well, I wished he had found a few more models with clothes to be inspiring, but c'est la vie!   We also saw 2 Interpretive Centers, one was the best we have seen yet! Afterwards, we had ice cream and play time at the park in Hood River, Oregon.  That was one of those towns that makes me want to live on the west coast.... Beautiful, and to be true to the historicity of journal keeping, I will tell you it was a cool and breezy 74 degrees!  The campfire tonight was really nice!  Oh I almost forgot about dinner tonight.  We actually happened to choose  a restaurant that we visited almost 6 years ago! We had come out for a wedding, and wanted to see some waterfalls, and stopped for lunch.  So we were amazed that we had chosen the same place so many years later.  Not much had changed!

So tomorrow, our Corps plans to be at the Pacific Ocean... the goal of our journey!  Seems strange that 3 weeks will be gone so soon, but also strange that we have been blessed to see so many incredible things in just three weeks.  We are enjoying every minute with Captain Lewis before he returns home for a brief stay.... Hopefully he can add pictures and give an authentic post before he leaves!
Must get some rest for the long journey tomorrow--
Scannon

Great Expectations

Where did we leave off?..... Let's see, Livingston MT and the night at the Bear Canyon Campground.  This was our first day to really get a glimpse of the Rockies.  I can not imagine what the Corps must have felt when the mountains first came into view.... In awe, maybe outright fear, despair? This is such a beautiful sight, but I know these are not the mountains they were expecting to find!

When we arrived at our campground, I found the same type of  "bored twenty-something who would rather be hiking, and was much too cool for this job" that I had seen at several places already.  That's ok, I just applied some Southern Charm, bought a coke and 2 Capri Suns, and then it happened.  He asked me if I got the AARP discount... yep, the one for retired people.  I have nothing against retired people, and nothing against discounts, but it took me a second to catch myself before I let him know that--- well never mind what I wanted to let him know...Later when I told Justin about this he calmly said well you don't want to ruin your witness.  I assured him that "bored-too-cool" would have been asking about Jesus when I finished with him, but I got the feeling that my husband didn't count that as witnessing!

On, to Friday July 8
We Drove to Helena MT for a boat tour to the Gates of the Mountains.  I admit I was a little skeptical when we arrived, but the trip turned out to be great.  We were able to take our 2 hour tour on a new boat that was only 2 months old.


The boat took us on a relaxing ride through the canyons on the River and we saw some beautiful sights-- rock formations, eagles' nest and eaglets, and the place where the Expedition thought they had come to the mountains.  Impressive, but it would pale in comparison to what they would see later.

On to Missoula, and with much excitement, because we would soon see Justin/Capt. Lewis!  Our campsite in Missoula was perfect! It was called Jim and Mary's RV park, and it was beautiful.  There were flower beds everywhere, and it was so well kept.  One of those places I would have loved to stay much longer than our schedule would allow! We had showers, and a great laundry room.  Everyone felt refreshed.   The Captain was picked up at the airport, and was well rested for his marathon on Sunday.  He ran well, and has said it was his favorite race so far.  Such perfect weather, and beautiful scenery.

We traveled on to Lolo Hot Springs to camp for the night.  We were a little "concerned" when we saw the campground.  Let's just say it wasn't Jim and Mary's!  But leave it to Lewis... He got the best, most beautiful campsite you could imagine! It was by a cold mountain stream and a beautiful mountain and trees!  Capt. Clark and Sacajamia had more fun beside the stream.  They soon discovered gold!

Flecks of gold, but what appeared to be gold.  All of the kitchen utensils were put to good use, and they had hours of fun.  Half of our party enjoyed a swim at the pool across the way, and we ended the night with a board game and all slept well.

Saturday Morning Celebration!

Huzzah! Captain Lewis will be here soon!!
Forgive me for the delay in posting this week.  The wi-fi that we have had access to has not been fast enough to work with, but this campground has great service. We do appreciate your prayers and encouragement.  Not quite as homesick, but still miss all of you! So hang on tight while I give you a brief overview of the week---

Wednesday
There is a wonderful dinosaur museum in Glendive, Montana.  Everything is given from a Christian perspective, and it is done with excellence! For anyone who has seen the Creation Museum, it is very similar, but on a much smaller scale.  The children loved the museum and the volunteers were so kind and loved teaching about each exhibit.  We had lunch at Taco John's, which usually is a step up from Taco Bell.  The kids and I decided this one had once been a gas station and had not made the transition well!

From there, we traveled to see Pompey's Pillar. Many sites along the way are named for members of the Corps, and  Pompey was the nickname given to Sacajawea's son Jean-Baptiste.  Clark named the place "Pompey's Tower", but during the editing of the journals, it was renamed "Pompey's Pillar" which has a certain ring to it.  Clark took great care of Pompey, and later adopted him and sent him to school in the East.  We didn't climb the rock because it was getting late and we still had miles to go, but it was well worth the time we spent there.

We camped in Billings, MT at the first KOA in the country.  It is a very nice campground, with lots of activities for the children(swimming at 9:00pm)  and one of the first sites we have camped where there was a complete package of water/electric/sewer.  Seems a small luxury, but it makes for easier camping! This was also the first time I had used the cooktop in the camper.  Max requested tomato soup, and it was a success!

Thursday

After breakfast at Pistol Pete's, we journeyed on to Livingston.  The items on our list to see were the Fly Fishing Discovery Center, and the Sacajawea Statue.  Seems easy enough right?  Well, we drive to an older part of Livingston close to downtown like the GPS directs us to go.  We arrive at the address, but keep going because nothing looks like a fly fishing museum. I turn around and go back to the "destination on right." There is a community garden in front of an old high school, hovel of what's left of a high school.  Both Max and Mia suggest that maybe we shouldn't go in here.  I assure them it is safe, and we find an unlocked door... yes that should be a clue (if this were a movie the music would be playing and you would be screaming at the dumb blonde girl to turn around!). But we continue on... I look at the directory, and see a listing for the Museum on the second floor.  So glad it wasn't in the basement.... We bravely go up the stairs, open the door--- no lights, no people, nothing--- but we were determined to see this museum.  We pass a few empty offices, when I notice one office with 3 people and a dog.  No fly fishing... The kind woman asks if she can help us, after she gets over the shock that we have stumbled on this place.  I explain what we are looking for, and she explains (without saying what an idiot!) that the museum moved, umm, TWO YEARS ago.....

After some less than stellar directions, we decide to pass on the museum and find the Statue of Sacajawea.  Well that wasn't easy either, but I'll spare you that story.  We found it, took the picture and head out of town.  The children are disappointed, because they really want to see the fly fishing museum.  I try to politely explain that it probably won't be that good, from what the lady said about it.  No, they really want to see it!  The directions she gave us were take a right and left, and look for the grocery, and then it is in the shopping center with the "western" facade.... No really, in Montana, a Western facade! well that narrows it down.... After the 4th old-west shopping center, we agree to head out of town, when wonder of wonders-- I find it! Up the stairs we go, into a room with some really cool fishing things, and 2 older ladies in cubicles who don't come out to answer questions.... We take a picture, call it a success, and leave!  However, there was a fantastic fabric store down the way.....

On to Bozeman.... I'll be back to cover Thursday night and Friday soon.  Off to the airport to pick up the Captain!

Cures for homesickness...

Morale was low in our camp last night due to homesickness.  We are missing Captain Lewis, and home, and our canine companions there.  This morning we listened to audio stories that are comforting reminders of home in Mississippi, ate crisp apples (which always helps Clark's mood) and talked of the fun plans we still have left on the Expedition.  As for me, I cleaned out the keel boat with wheels and folded laundry.  Nesting always makes me feel better...




We had an easy travel day, considering we awoke in Bismark, North Dakota, and ended our day in Glendive, Montana.  The terrain is slightly different, but no less beautiful.  The wide open spaces are breathtaking.  They say at home that a squirrel can climb from tree branch to tree branch and go from the Atlantic to the Mississippi without touching the ground.  The squirrels would be out of luck here!  Before breaking camp this morning, we found a chipmunk.  Sacagawea and Clark had a great time making photos, and tonight made sketches in their journals.

We enjoyed a dinosaur museum and a pioneer museum today in Dickinson, North Dakota.  We also had lunch at Bogey's Diner, a great '50's place.  Our campers enjoyed the pioneer museum tremendously.  It was interesting to see tools and a cabin from years past.  They both especially enjoyed the model farm house and farm... they have begun plans to make their own!

Praying that Captain Lewis makes it back safely and quickly, and that morale continues to improve---
More later,
Scannon

Independence Day!

Lewis left before camp broke this morning. He plans on returning to make the pass on the Continental Divide.

The Corps headed straight North to the wintering camp of the original expedition Fort Mandan. The Mandan Indians were very friendly and helped Lewis and Clark survive the winter often traded corn and other food for beads and trinkets. They would be invited to the Mandan rituals and dances. He also did a good bit of doctoring treating abscesses and frostbite.

Fort Mandan was another victim of the Missouri flooding. The Corps was able to visit the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center adjacent to the fort.

And miles to go before I sleep...

Examples of the expedition supplies:

Scene from LOTR???

Corps diary entry weekend July 1st-3rd

The Corps stayed last night in Ponca State Park on the Missouri on the Nebraska side of the South Dakota State Park. Thankfully the local bridge on Hwy 15 was still open. The expedition had a long ride to Pierre, SD on their way to pick up Lewis. Got to visit the Haglands in Nunda, SD for lunch. Great to see our friends again!

Lewis here...

I commandeered an "airship" and flew to Pierre, SD to meet the Corp Saturday evening. The flooding here is scary.

The majority of the town would now be flooded if it were not for temporary levees and sandbags. Many businesses are also sandbagged, but people are living life as normally as possible.

For Meriwether Lewis, the Dakotas were a delightful autumn adventure. He took time out from the river to go hiking with his dog Scannon. He wore buffalo hide pants, deerskin jacket, and a three cornered leather hat. Along with hunting, he was a novice biologist and botanist having gone through crash courses by Thomas Jefferson in preparation for this journey. He was also the expedition doctor with some mixed results...

Another cool part about Pierre was meeting up with our friends at Capitol Heights. The last picture will need no caption for the Beldenities...

Zestos!