I began Sunday at the LCTHF meeting itself. We were there early to be bussed over to the dedication of the Captain William Clark Park in Washougal, WA.
On their return east in the spring of 1806, the Corps of Discovery spent six days camped near present day Cottonwood Beach in Washougal where they gathered provisions in preparation for their return to the Nez Perce Indians in Idaho, who were caring for their horses over the winter. As the Corps ascended the Columbia River on their return home, they rowed with determination and journal entries stated that they rowed as much as 20 – 24 miles each day against the spring current. They normally spent one night at various beachheads along the Columbia where they prepared their biggest meal of the day, and would then bed down for the night and rise early to “proceed on.”
It turns out there are many many parks and other landmarks across the USA named for Lewis *and* Clark… but this is the first to be named just for Capt. Clark alone. It also turns out I know a “William Clarke” in one of those strange confluences of life and history. Speaking of which, the LCTHF uses the word “confluence” a lot. Just an observation.
Anyway, I got a chance to roam around the not-yet-finished-Captain Clark Park and take pictures before the dedication ceremony.
PETA would loooooove this one….. (a bunch of animal skins…. )
Click here for the rest of this posting, including photos of some notable guests at the event.
Here are some samples of the provisions that the Corps of Discovery would have had with them in camp.
Then the dedication began. It was a typical ceremony, but there were some notable guests.
Peyton “Bud” Clark, a descendant of the William Clark family made some remarks and represented the family. I found he bore a striking resemblance to Captain Clark.
Here is Bud Clark talking to a Chinook Indian tribe member.
And here is a bust of Captain William Clark that sits on the grounds of the park and was unveiled on Sunday.
Here are some scenes of an Elk Rope-cutting ceremony (think ribbon cutting for the 19th Century) featuring US Rep. Brian Baird (D-WA) who is in the first photo.
I’ll close out this posting with a PatriotPooch. He is the same breed as Capt. Lewis’ dog, Seaman, but I don’t think he’s the same color. There was a Seaman-look-alike dog contest at the Park on Saturday. I missed it.
And that was just the beginning of my day on Sunday!
-Bruce (GayPatriot) – gaypatriot2004@aol.com
Lovely trip!! I, too, love the story of Lewis and Clark. The g/f and I recently moved from Austin to just outside KC, so we see the markers for L & C in lots of places. I’m amazed at what they achieved, that only one man died, and so on. The Ken Burns documentary is really well done if you haven’t seen it. I drove from Austin to Seattle last year, and then we spent an afternoon in Oregon, that part of the country is stunning.
I’m currently reading Ambrose’s book on the transcontinental railroad, also amazing stuff. Maybe eventually I’ll get around to books on the Oregon Trail.
Your blog is realy very interesting. http://www.g888.com
when did he die and how did he die?