After threatening to cut up the last two dugout canoes for firewood, Lewis trades them for a few strands of beads. For the first time since arriving at the Clearwater River, the entire group travels by land. They leave the last hills of the Columbia River Gorge and Lewis notes the dryness of the plains. Those without horses complain of sore feet and legs.
Finally, a Few Horses
by Yellowstone Public Radio[1]Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © … Continue reading
Leaving Rock Creek
we had 4 packsaddles made purchased three horses of the Wah-howpums [Teninos], and hired three others of the Chopunnish [Nez Perce] man who accompanys us with his family and horses. we now sold our canoes for a few strands of beads, loaded up and departed at 2 P. M.
—Meriwether Lewis
Sore Feet and Legs
most of the party complain of the soarness of their feet and legs this evening; it is no doubt caused by walking over the rough stones and deep sands after bing for some months passed been accustomed to a soft soil. my left ankle gives me much pain. I baithed my feet in cold water from which I experienced considerable releif.
—Meriwether Lewis
The Dry Plains Commence
View east near Roosevelt, WA
© 18 April 2009 by Kristopher K. Townsend. Permission to use granted under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.
The dry plains around Blalock were a distinct change from the high hills surrounding the river in the Columbia River Gorge in which they had been traveling since April 6. Today, Highway 14 winds between the Columbia’s north shore and the Horse Heaven Hills on the Washington side. On the Oregon, one can see the last of the Columbia River Gorge below the large windmill farm.
there are now no dews in these plains, and from the appearance of the earth there appears to have been no rain for several weeks.—
—Meriwether Lewis
Weather Diary
State of weather at rise
Wind at State of the weather at 4 P.M. Wind at 4 P.M. River fair N W fair N. W. fallen 2 in. night cold the day warm.
—Meriwether Lewis and William Clark[2]To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the “State of the Columbia River” columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out.
Notes
| ↑1 | Originally aired weekdays by Yellowstone Public Radio during the Bicentennial observance of 2003-2006. Narrated by Hal Hansen. Scripts by Whit Hansen and Ed Jacobson. Produced by Leni Holliman. © 2003 by Yellowstone Public Radio. |
|---|---|
| ↑2 | To assist the reader of this web page, the date column is not presented, the “State of the Columbia River” columns have been merged, and some abbreviations have been spelled out. |
Experience the Lewis and Clark Trail
The Lewis and Clark Trail Experience—our sister site at lewisandclark.travel—connects the world to people and places on the Lewis and Clark Trail.
Discover More
- The Lewis and Clark Expedition: Day by Day by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2018). The story in prose, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery (abridged) by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 2003). Selected journal excerpts, 14 May 1804–23 September 1806.
- The Lewis and Clark Journals. by Gary E. Moulton (University of Nebraska Press, 1983–2001). The complete story in 13 volumes.
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- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
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- Idaho Governor's Lewis and Clark Trail Committee
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- Yellowstone Public Radio
Unless otherwise noted, journal excerpts are from The Journals of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, edited by Gary E. Moulton, 13 vols. (Lincoln: University of Nebraska Press, 1983-2001).