Wednesday
Embarked on our westward journey from Virginia, birthplace of
Lewis and Clark and our home state. My 80-year-old uncle and I
were traveling to South Dakota hunting the elusive ringneck
pheasant. Not in a 55 foot keelboat but a 1997 automobile. Our
traveling companion was my hunting dog Mack. Drove 700 miles and
arrived in St. Louis under the "Gateway to the West." I found
Uncle Ford weary from the want of food. Made our camp at Motel 6 near the banks of the Missouri.
Thursday
Awoke early today in search of Bellefontaine Cemetery, final
resting-place of William Clark. With the help of the native
people, we located the historical monument of this fine American
Patriot. Later, we proceeded on to
Council Bluffs. Visited the
Western Historic Trails Center and viewed the video and
interactive exhibits.
Friday
Got started late. Proceeded on to
Onawa, Iowa and the Lewis and Clark State Park. Viewed the
replica keelboat and collected cottonwood leaves. On to
Sioux
City to memorialize Sgt. Floyd. Read from the journal while
standing under this 100’ monument. Here we left the trail and
went North ... next year we can proceed to the Rocky Mountains
and the Pacific N.W.
<Gateway
to the West
