Lewis and Clark Discovery Trail, Long Beach, WA
This 8.5 mile stretch of paved walking and biking path retraces the steps that Lewis and Clark took when they arrived here in November of 1805. It was such an emotional feeling imagining how the Corps felt when they finally made it to the Pacific after 18 long months. We took in the sea air and then went to look for Clark’s Tree: a replica of the tree that Clark carved his name in there.
Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center, Cape Disappointment, WA
A short hike and we were on top of the world with ocean as far as the eye could see. What happened next was really quite adorable. As we checked in to the front desk and got our stamps, this sweet girl Raegan gushed over our adventure. She quickly became our number one fan as she immediately wanted a picture with us. We slowly walked through the last Interpretive Center that culminated our adventure.
Lewis and Clark National Park at Fort Clatsop, Astoria, Oregon
Truth be told, I think we spent more time in their gift shop marveling over the book selection than at the actual Fort. You see, our recent obsession with finding out what happened to Lewis had us pouring over books, figuring out which ones to buy, read, and trade. Once we got down to the Fort, emotions ran over us again as we realized that this was where the expedition spent the winter of 1805. And while this was the end of our expedition, it was only half over for the Corps. I couldn’t imagine the mixed feelings of relief and anxiousness they felt as preparations were made for the trek back.
Fort George Brewery, Astoria, OR
As our final meal of the trip, I chose a tried and true favorite. And it isn’t just because I was part of their Homebrewer’s Dinner two years in a row. Fort George is the home to one of my favorite beerfests, Festival of Dark Arts. And they make some pretty fantastic beers, too. While they were out of Java the Hop, I did enjoy some pints of Suicide Squeeze IPA. We toasted our travels, our revelations, and Captain Clark’s birthday.
Taking this history road trip has ignited a fire in both of us to want to experience more of our nation’s history, especially from the eyes and perspective of others. It’s easy for us to be able to read about the experiences, even teach about them from our texts, but to live them has been something so powerful that it rendered us speechless at times.
And the beer wasn’t too bad either!
And the beer wasn’t too bad either!