I visited Ft. Mandan twenty plus years ago in January. It was -20 degrees F and not a creature stirred; complete silence. It was the coldest I had ever been (later in the day, it was -40 with windchill), but so beautiful. Kudos to these intrepid explorers.
The line "Ocian in view! O! the joy" is from William Clark's journals during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It captures the moment when the explorers first sighted the Pacific Ocean in 1805, reflecting their excitement after a long and arduous journey across the continent.
I read, “Undaunted Courage,” by Stephen E. Ambrose (1997) about Lewis & Clark. I had a chance to visit Ft. Clatsop. In his book he relates that the pass over the Rockies that one of them took heading back east is still there although very few take it now. The trailhead is accessible via a dirt road several miles long. Lewis and Clark Trail just west of Great Falls, MN. We hiked just over half way up and encountered a grizzly bear and cub directly in our path. It didn’t see us although it did hear us so when we called out to scare it, it took off into the brush. We stood awhile memorizing the encourage. I estimated that if this was a golf shot it would have been 110 years away. We turn tail and headed back down, rather rapidly.
Ambrose’s account of the journey is brilliant. It’s on my book shelf and while I’ve read it more than once… Ms Gruber’s illustrative article has me planning to read it again!
This is such a great American story. One tidbit is that member Sergeant Patrick Gass, who lived to be 98, was able to take a train to California late in his life. Imagine what he could have been thinking. Maybe like one of the Wright brothers stepping on to a 727.
I meant my last post to be on this post in the earlier Lewis and Clark posting. Apologies:
This is not exactly apropos but Lewis and Clark was the subject of a famous song by West Coasters, The Longryders. It is about our country that failed the rugged individualism that Lewis and Clark represented (to them) for grift and ease of money:
I am in the process of editing for publishing in my Substack newsletter, a letter a survivor of Communism sent me. YOUNGER AMERICANS HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT ALWAYS LEADS TO OPPRESSION, STARVATION, & EXECUTIONS.
I visited Ft. Mandan twenty plus years ago in January. It was -20 degrees F and not a creature stirred; complete silence. It was the coldest I had ever been (later in the day, it was -40 with windchill), but so beautiful. Kudos to these intrepid explorers.
I know what you mean! I spent THREE WINTERS in Minot, ND where I got my Bachelors Degree. https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
The line "Ocian in view! O! the joy" is from William Clark's journals during the Lewis and Clark Expedition. It captures the moment when the explorers first sighted the Pacific Ocean in 1805, reflecting their excitement after a long and arduous journey across the continent.
During the winter months, I live within walking distance of the spot Captain Clark arrived on the beach. https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
I always feel like William Clark, when I come upon the Pacific Ocean. It's wonderful.
Ambrose actually traveled the trail of the expedition. He immersed himself in all of his writings. Too soon gone.
I read, “Undaunted Courage,” by Stephen E. Ambrose (1997) about Lewis & Clark. I had a chance to visit Ft. Clatsop. In his book he relates that the pass over the Rockies that one of them took heading back east is still there although very few take it now. The trailhead is accessible via a dirt road several miles long. Lewis and Clark Trail just west of Great Falls, MN. We hiked just over half way up and encountered a grizzly bear and cub directly in our path. It didn’t see us although it did hear us so when we called out to scare it, it took off into the brush. We stood awhile memorizing the encourage. I estimated that if this was a golf shot it would have been 110 years away. We turn tail and headed back down, rather rapidly.
I got a lot of my info about the journey from Ambrose's book.
How lucky you were! However, Lewis & Clark never made it to Minnesota. Do you mean Montana? https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
MT, my mistake.
Ambrose’s account of the journey is brilliant. It’s on my book shelf and while I’ve read it more than once… Ms Gruber’s illustrative article has me planning to read it again!
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! I got a lot of my info about the journey from Ambrose's book. https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
I felt Ambrose was likely on your shelf as well! Your article honored the journey beautifully. Thank you 🙏🏻
This is such a great American story. One tidbit is that member Sergeant Patrick Gass, who lived to be 98, was able to take a train to California late in his life. Imagine what he could have been thinking. Maybe like one of the Wright brothers stepping on to a 727.
So, he died in about 1890? Sacagawea's hubby was the oldest at age 43. I wonder if he wrote a book later in life. https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
I meant my last post to be on this post in the earlier Lewis and Clark posting. Apologies:
This is not exactly apropos but Lewis and Clark was the subject of a famous song by West Coasters, The Longryders. It is about our country that failed the rugged individualism that Lewis and Clark represented (to them) for grift and ease of money:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ACNsRrU8zPc
I have visited Sacagawea's grave in Fort Washakie Wyoming where my son works. Or is there some dispute about this being her actual grave?
Thanks for this article!
You are welcome! She died near present day Bismarck, ND. https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
So her grave in Wyoming is not her grave?
I am not a L&C expert, but I doubt it.
This is only hidden history to those who haven't studied Lewis and Clark thoroughly.
The anti-America movement has been lying to school children FOR GENERATIONS now. About 25 years ago, the Portland, Oregon school district stopped teaching American history after Columbus arrived. CAN YOU IMAGINE!!! https://dianelgruber.substack.com/p/revisiting-sacagaweas-contributions-201?utm_source=publication-search
Who would know that would end up detrimental to one’s education?
I am in the process of editing for publishing in my Substack newsletter, a letter a survivor of Communism sent me. YOUNGER AMERICANS HAVE NOT BEEN TAUGHT THAT IT ALWAYS LEADS TO OPPRESSION, STARVATION, & EXECUTIONS.
At what location did the expedition leave Nebraska , going West ?
Following the Missouri River, they did pass through what later became Nebraska. They wintered over in Mandan, ND, turned west from there.
This is great. Thank you Diane. Merry Christmas!
We as a generation of Americans take so sooo much for granted.
Big Government is "transforming" America so that it can take away all our freedoms and turn the masses into serfs again.
And Merry Christmas to you!
And Merry Christmas to you!