Final Entry

Spring, 1808

Dear Mr. Jefferson,

The journey was the Corps at its best. The journey was America at its best. The journey was teamwork at its best. When Captain Lewis and Captain Clark set out to gather a team of men to accomplish a feat never been done before they picked the right men. We all have our set of unique skills, but the are only useful in a team of many, all with the same goal. To reach the Western Ocean and discover creatures and plants never recorded before. We set out not knowing what was ahead prepared for anything, but it wasn't the amount of rum we had or the amount of rifles we obtained. It was the solid spirit of our men. The rock hard backbone that drove us through the mud and into the snow.

ps. For my weekly labors, discoveries...for all my endeavors have brought to this expedition, I believe I should be paid the grade of an -A.

The Taste of Salt

November 7, 1805

Finally. The Ocian is in my view, as large as a man could imagine. Tears of joy streamed down my face as i hugged the sand and the rocks. For once i wasn't bothered by the unpleasant weather. After enjoying the surroundings, i came to my senses and congratulated the captains and my fellow crew. I was truely amazed when i was told how long we had traveled 4,142 miles. 4,142 miles! I would never even imagened! Well we are here, amnd happier then ever.

Red Cedar

September, 1805

As i walk along the Lolo Trail, i noticed the beautiful trees around.  One of them is the Red Cedar.  The Red Cedar is very tall tree with a tapering trunk.  Similar to the Fir it has a conical crown of short, spreading branches drooping at ends.  The needles have a very unique and aromatic smell.  The tree grows up to 175 ft making it monstrous among the foliage.  Some Indians we have seen have carved statues out of the wood.

Miserable

September 16, 1805

I sit here on a log soaking wet from vicious hail and unforgiving rain.  My feet are aching from days of travel.  I counted my tenth blister this morning, it popped and stained my moccasins rose bud red.  My belly is empty crying for any sort of edible substance.  We killed our second colt.  Our spirits are very low.  The steep mountainsides are taking a toll on the horses.  A couple had fallen at least twenty feet, ruining the supplies and leaving the rider with minor injuries.  We finally had to split up in search of game to feed our hungry bellies.

Subalpine Fir

September 15, 1805

Another common tree we are seeing in these dense forests is the Subalpine Fir.  It is the most common member of the Fir family.  It is a very monstrous tree from my measurement it ranged from 50-100 feet, towering over everything else.  Rows of horizontal branches starting nearly from the base.  Dense clusters of pointy needles point up at the top of the tree making almost and arrow.  The bark of the tree is browsed by deer, elk, bighorn sheep, and moose.  

The Mountains

August 29, 1805

I have faced many perils on this journey, but i fear that my experiences have not prepared me for the deadly mountains we are about to face.  Ever since our departure i have feared the mountains.  I have tried to drive the fear away from me but it has always comes back, like a stubborn animal.  I tried to smother the thought of the harsh conditions, but when ever they were mentioned, the flame would ignite and  i would be engulfed by worrisome.  I hate the bitter cold when all plant are dead and withered away by the frost.  I need life, plants flourishing, an array of colors to enjoy.  I trust our guide, Old Toby to get us through safely and quickly.  Our horse will provide us quick transportation of gear and men.  They may also provide food when times get tough.

Rocky Mountain Maple

August 20, 1805

The Rocky Mountain Maple is one of the most common trees we are finding along the river it grows every where especially through the canyons and on mountain slopes.  I first recorded it along the Lemhi River on August 13, 1805.  It is a relatively small tree, growing up to 30 feet at my best estimate.  The leaves are a beautiful arrange of colors; orange, red, and yellow.  It reminds me of Falls back East.  The tree has a short slender trunk with upright branches.  I have felt no hairs on the bark.

Lewis Monkeyflower

August 12, 1805

During our cross through the Lemhi Pass I stumbled upon a new flower.  It was beautiful in appearance and had the visual aspects of a monkey thus the name Lewis Monkeyflower.  From my measurement the plant grows 1-3 feet in length.  The flowers are a vivid purple they are trumpet shaped growing 1.3-2 inches long.  Growing from the stem are leaves 1-4 inches in length.

Water Birch

August 3, 1805

While walking along the Jefferson River I discovered a new member of the Birch family, the Water Birch.  It is a tree/shrub that thrives at the banks of rivers and tree thus the name Water Birch.  Multiple trunks protrude up to 25 feet in length.  The bark on the tree is dark red ranging to black.  Oval shaped leaves grow from the short branches along with tiny yellow flowers when flowering.

Leafy Thistle

July 23, 1805

Today at the Beautiful Three forks we found a new spiky plant that I named the leafy thistle.  This plant will most likely become another pain we will have to face in the journey ahead.  Just stepping on one plant will result in multiple thorns in one's moccasins.  The plant has a beautiful pink flower that grown around 5-6 cm in length, but don't get fooled by its beauty.  Along the leaves and stem our tiny pricks which cause great discomfort when stepped on.  The Leafy Thistle grows wildly and appears to be unwanted by other plants.