Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark of the U. S. Army headed an expedition of 45 experienced woodsmen, hunters and soldiers that sailed up the Missouri River from St. Louis in May 1804 in a fleet of three vessels. The explorers often had to drag the boats through strong river currents filled with sandbars and snags of fallen trees, constantly fighting swarms of mosquitoes and other insects. The explorers trapped many beavers for food along the banks of the Missouri River. Beaver steaks were considered a great delicacy.

They took notes, gathered scientific specimens, drew maps and christened landmarks as they proceeded through the wilderness, trading with and making friends among the Indian tribes through whose lands they passed.

The expedition spent the winter of 1804-05 in a stockade they built in the country of the Mandan Indians, in present day North Dakota. In spring of 1805 the expedition continued up the Missouri into the foothills of the Rocky Mountains.

The explorers crossed the high mountains and passed the Continental Divide, launching their boats into a tributary of the Columbia River, from which they reached the Pacific Ocean in early November 1805

The expedition returned across the continent, reaching St. Louis in September 1806, ending an 8,000-mile journey that lasted over two years.

Loaded with information about this vast and unknown territory, they had successfully completed one of the most difficult experiences of exploration ever undertaken.

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My trip started in St. Louis where I toured the St. Louis Arch soaring 630 feet above the Mississippi River. The Arch is the nation’s tallest man-made monument, and symbol of St. Louis’ role as the “Gateway to the West.” The Museum of Westward Expansion, located beneath the Arch provided an excellent interpretation of the expedition’s course and 100 years of history related to the American westward movement. Murals depicted scenes along the Lewis and Clark’s route.

A special treat at the arch was viewing the exciting Imax Lewis & Clark, which set the perfect stage for my journey through Missouri along the Lewis & Clark Trail.  For official St. Louis Visitors Guide call 1-800-916-0092 www.st.louis-cvb.com

Lewis and Clark Boathouse & Nature Center in St.Charles combines the exhibits of the former Lewis and Clark Center with replicas of the keelboat and the two pirogues, boat construction in process, campsite with living history year-round and the story of how St. Charles residents affected the Expedition and many other Missouri River travelers.

The buildings on Main Street date from 1800 to the late 1800s. The present day historic area flourishes with dining establishments, pubs and retail shops .At Boone’s Lick Inn, we took a carriage ride around historic Main Street. We also met with the Discovery Expedition Crew at Oliver’s Restaurant. Greater St. Charles CVB Tel: 800-366-2427  www.historicstcharles.com

Mark your calendars now for one of the Signature Events in the national commemoration of the 200^th anniversary of the Lewis & Clark expedition.

It starts on March 9^th, 2004 with the Three Flags Ceremony in St. Louis, celebrating the transfer of the Louisiana Territory from France and Spain to the United States. Invited guests include the King of Spain, the President of France, the President of the United States, state governors and tribal leaders.

Then on May 15^th, a replica keelboat will arrive at St. Charles to kick off a week of events, sights, sounds and smells, all authentically set in 1804. Explore period foods, crafts, music, skill demonstrations and encampments. It concludes on May 23^rd, 2004 as St. Charles bids farewell to the Discovery Expedition as they begin their adventure, as did Lewis & Clark.

We traveled to Augusta, via Missouri wine country along the Hwy 100 Weinstrasse river road. Here we saw a glass blowing demonstration and then left for Hermann, where we ate at Stone Hill Winery Restaurant. www.NativeStoneWinery.com. Native Stone is located on the Lewis and Clark Trail (Hwy 179). Hermann is a German village that hasn’t changed much in the past 150 years. They still have the old world hospitality. Tel: 800-932-8687

Next on our itinerary was a tour the Capitol and dinner in Jefferson City. The Missouri State capitol is a Roman renaissance style building that was completed in 1918. Situated on a high bluff overlooking the wide Missouri River, the building houses both branches of the legislature and the executive offices. All floors are open to the public. A guided tour lasting 30 minutes is available. Statues of Lewis and Clark can be found to the west and east of the grand staircase in the third floor rotunda. Jefferson City, Missouri CVB 1-800-769-4183  www.VisitJeffersonCity.com

We spent the night in Columbia, “College Town USA” where we toured the campus, the Jefferson Grave marker and took in the Columbia nightlife.

Rocheport is the city rated #1 Daytrip Destination from Kansas City by Kansas City Star. We walked part of “America’s longest rails-to-trails project” at the Katy Trail.  One of our guides, Brett Dufur, wrote the book on the Katy Trail published at www.pebblepublishing.com It was the scenic gateway to the Katy Trail. Take the driving tour of Boonville before heading to Arrow Rock to see several river overlooks and historic Lewis and Clark stops. Nestled on a bluff along the Missouri River, Arrow Rock is untouched by time. The 70 people who live there today invite you to enrich the present by visiting the past. Tel:  660-837-3311 www.arrowrock.org 

By the 1830s, Lexington was the largest and most important town west of St. Louis. This bustling trade center served as the main outfitting post for the Santa Fe and Oregon Trail. Lexington is perhaps best known as the site of the three-day Civil War battle, the “Battle of the Hemp Bales”. www.historiclexington.com

Lewis and Clark passed through Jefferson City and Rocheport.

Fort Osage was our next stop on the way to Kansas City. It is a National Historic Landmark 1808-1827 and once the guardian of an unexplored frontier. Fort Osage recreates an era when rugged men sought furs and found adventure among the Native Americans along the Missouri River Valley.

Under the direction of Clark, soldiers erected the Fort in 1808 to serve as an outpost in the newly acquired Louisiana Purchase, housing soldiers to guard the new territory.

Dressed in early 19^th century attire, Heritage Museums and programs’ staff and volunteers engage in activities to complement their period surroundings. From holiday celebrations to re-enactments to daily tasks, Fort Osage brings the past to life again. 816-795-8200. EXT. 1-260 Throughout this year, Fort Osage will be presenting a series of events that will focus on various aspects of Lewis & Clark Expedition. The National Lewis and Clark Bicentennial Commemoration will continue until September 2006.

In Kansas City, we toured “The Treasure of Steamboat Arabia.” The ship sank along the river’s uncertain course and this is the place where all its treasures are housed. It’s been called “A King Tut’s Tomb…a time capsule of another age!” Like stepping back in time to 1856. tales of the precious cargo became a legend. Tel: 816-471-4030

We drove to St. Joseph and had a driving tour before we flew out of Kansas City.

Let the spirit of Lewis and Clark guide you to St. Joseph www.stjomo.com. See through the eyes of the Corps of Discovery with interpretive signs at eight historic areas along the Lewis and Clark Trail, then follow in frontier footsteps to explore St. Joseph, a city full of historic attractions.