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On
May 14th, 1804 an expedition commanded by Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark departed from Camp Dubois on the shores of the Wood River in what
is now Illinois. Known as the Corp of Discovery, their journey would
take them into unfamiliar land known as Louisiana Territory. They would
ascend the waters of the Missouri River and on to the Columbia River
emptying into the Pacific Ocean. This expedition set forth by President
Thomas Jefferson was to seek out a water route to the Pacific Ocean
for the benefit of trade and commerce, as well as to learn about the
natural resources and the Native Nations people who inhabited the lands.
This would become the greatest expedition set forth by the United States.
As we celebrate the 200-year anniversary of the Lewis and Clark expedition, Livingston, Montana resident Norman Miller completed the 3600-mile westward journey in the wake of the Corp of Discovery. Having departed in March of 2004, Norman paddled solo the length of the Missouri to Montana. From there he backpacked over the continental divide to the Columbia River watershed where he once again took to his paddle for the final leg to the Pacific Ocean which he arrived at on Sept 27th,04. Armed with a digital camera and lap top computer he sent updates from the trail as his experiences unfolded to this web site. His ongoing journals and photo's from the Lewis and Clark trail have been archieved here for your educational enjoyment. By reliving his experiences, it will give the reader a better understanding of the challenges, hardships, joys, and logistics in traveling the Lewis and Clark trail in the 21st century.
Over the last 200 years this route has changed considerably. The construction
of hydroelectric dams, power lines, irrigation canals, bridges, towns,
and flooding have greatly altered the route. Not only has the route
changed physically, but personally for the North American Tribes and
Native Nations people. From the comforts of your computer screen you
can witness these changes while reliving the sites explored by Lewis
and Clark. Norman helped raise awareness and support for the Lewis
and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation and American
Rivers. These two nonprofit organizations are helping to protect
and preserve this fragile route for the future educational enjoyment
of others. Come along and enjoy the adventure ~In
The Wake of Discovery. Please click here for updates
that were posted from the trail.
Pre-Journey Article by Crawford County Avalanche- Norms boyhood
home newspaper: Click
here to read story.
