Clearwater River Valley
Halloween morning greeted us with bright clear skies and a rather chilly morning. Following an early breakfast we “Proceeded On” following the same overland route used by the Corps of Discovery on the return trek in the spring of 1806. They were mounted on horses, we on warm coaches stocked with coffee, drinks, snacks and Halloween treats. Several herds of White-tailed and Mule deer were breakfasting in stubble and winter wheat fields as we passed by. Unlike the perpetually hungry members of the Corps we didn’t stop to hunt, just admire. Leaving the vineyards, orchards and rich farmlands of lentils, peas and wheat behind we dropped down to river level at the Port of Clarkston, Idaho.
At Clarkston, some of our “Corps” boarded jet boats for the trilling and inspiring run up the Snake River or Hell’s Canyon. The herd of Bighorn sheep, ancient petraglyphs, pictographs, the magnesium coating glistening on the towering canyon walls inspired a sense of awe and wonder at this untamed landscape. We passed the winter quarters of the great Nez Perces Chief Joseph and the not so great abandoned mining town before our return down Hell’s Canyon.
The other part of our “Corp,” met Lin Laughy, scholar and area expert on Lewis and Clark, for a trip back in time along the banks of the ”Koos Koos Ke”or Clearwater River. We stood and walked on the very sites that had felt the foot falls of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Seaman the dog. Like members of the Corps, we make cordage from Dog Bane and fire with steel and flint.
Lunch at the bakery in Kamiah and our wilderness instructions complete, we arrived at “The Heart of the Monster” where Lin related the Nez Perces creation tradition centered around this site. Journeying downstream beside the Clearwater and the highest concentration of the Corps camping sites throughout the entire journey, we were reminded how many times the helping hands of, at first strangers then quickly friends, contributed to the success of this American Heroic Journey. Arriving back at the Sea Lion, we proceeded on to celebrate Halloween by drinking Witch’s Brew and perhaps set about proving we were the most boisterous vessel on the Snake River.
Halloween morning greeted us with bright clear skies and a rather chilly morning. Following an early breakfast we “Proceeded On” following the same overland route used by the Corps of Discovery on the return trek in the spring of 1806. They were mounted on horses, we on warm coaches stocked with coffee, drinks, snacks and Halloween treats. Several herds of White-tailed and Mule deer were breakfasting in stubble and winter wheat fields as we passed by. Unlike the perpetually hungry members of the Corps we didn’t stop to hunt, just admire. Leaving the vineyards, orchards and rich farmlands of lentils, peas and wheat behind we dropped down to river level at the Port of Clarkston, Idaho.
At Clarkston, some of our “Corps” boarded jet boats for the trilling and inspiring run up the Snake River or Hell’s Canyon. The herd of Bighorn sheep, ancient petraglyphs, pictographs, the magnesium coating glistening on the towering canyon walls inspired a sense of awe and wonder at this untamed landscape. We passed the winter quarters of the great Nez Perces Chief Joseph and the not so great abandoned mining town before our return down Hell’s Canyon.
The other part of our “Corp,” met Lin Laughy, scholar and area expert on Lewis and Clark, for a trip back in time along the banks of the ”Koos Koos Ke”or Clearwater River. We stood and walked on the very sites that had felt the foot falls of Meriwether Lewis, William Clark and Seaman the dog. Like members of the Corps, we make cordage from Dog Bane and fire with steel and flint.
Lunch at the bakery in Kamiah and our wilderness instructions complete, we arrived at “The Heart of the Monster” where Lin related the Nez Perces creation tradition centered around this site. Journeying downstream beside the Clearwater and the highest concentration of the Corps camping sites throughout the entire journey, we were reminded how many times the helping hands of, at first strangers then quickly friends, contributed to the success of this American Heroic Journey. Arriving back at the Sea Lion, we proceeded on to celebrate Halloween by drinking Witch’s Brew and perhaps set about proving we were the most boisterous vessel on the Snake River.
