Following the rivers.....We crossed the Wabash River to enter Illinois, the Mississippi River to enter Missouri. Just above St. Louis, MO, the Missouri River joins the Mississippi River and they head south for the Gulf of Mexico along the Missouri border. All the big rivers come together in this area. Near the Missouri/Illinois border, the Ohio River joins in....which passed my home town of Evansville, IN before getting there. 
In St. Charles the Missouri River joins the Mississippi and this is where Lewis and Clark kicked off their westward discovery trip through the Louisiana Purchase heading for the Pacific Ocean.
On the banks of the river in St. Charles is the "Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center". This is a wonderful place!
Outside they have some plantings showing different types of plants for this area...."tall grass prairie"....."river oats meadow"....etc.
The Tall Grass plants
Some of the flowers
This was interesting. The "Three Sisters"....corn, bean, and squash. The Indians planted these 3 together in a certain order and for reasons that helped each plant.
You might be able to read this if you click on it to make it larger.
Inside the building are exhibits that pertain to both nature and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lots of cool stuff to look at and explore. Kids must love learning here.
Small scale replicas of buildings made of brick, stone, and wood.....lots of "stuffed" animals.
A view from the other side of the room, which is very spacious with huge windows looking out at the river.
A water feature running through the middle of the room.
A camp site by the window.
A swivel gun.
Items that belonged to either Lewis or Clark.....I like the "secret code" developed by Thomas Jefferson.
A circumferenter.....with accompanying notes indicating they lost the "large compass" in the river torrent at one point. Later found.
A surveyor's chain. I had to take this photo....my dad was a surveyor/civil engineer and many is the time I used a more modern version of a "chain" while helping him survey. This one looks like it would catch on everything it was dragged over.
A map on the wall of the Ohio River, which Lewis and Clark followed from the east to get to St. Charles. Down at the bottom it has Fort Massac shown....which I posted photos of a month or so ago :-)
Of course, I managed to find a quilt! I'm guessing the blocks have to do with the trip, but it also has a 9-11 block in the center.
A bullboat......looks kind of like a furry covered tub. Lewis and Clark learned how to build it from the Indians and used two on the Yellowstone River. Requires the hide of one buffalo.
A set of Lewis and Clark puppets for telling the story :-)
There is a full size version of this statue outside, which I neglected to photograph. This is Lewis and Clark....and Sailor.
There were several dioramas telling the story of parts of the journey.
December 7, 1805 "...this situation is on a rise about 30 feet higher than the high tides....leavel and thickly covered with lofty pine.....""CLARK
In St. Charles the Missouri River joins the Mississippi and this is where Lewis and Clark kicked off their westward discovery trip through the Louisiana Purchase heading for the Pacific Ocean.
On the banks of the river in St. Charles is the "Lewis and Clark Boat House and Nature Center". This is a wonderful place!
Outside they have some plantings showing different types of plants for this area...."tall grass prairie"....."river oats meadow"....etc.
The Tall Grass plants
Some of the flowers
This was interesting. The "Three Sisters"....corn, bean, and squash. The Indians planted these 3 together in a certain order and for reasons that helped each plant.
You might be able to read this if you click on it to make it larger.
Inside the building are exhibits that pertain to both nature and the Lewis and Clark expedition. Lots of cool stuff to look at and explore. Kids must love learning here.
Small scale replicas of buildings made of brick, stone, and wood.....lots of "stuffed" animals.
A view from the other side of the room, which is very spacious with huge windows looking out at the river.
A water feature running through the middle of the room.
A camp site by the window.
A swivel gun.
Items that belonged to either Lewis or Clark.....I like the "secret code" developed by Thomas Jefferson.
A circumferenter.....with accompanying notes indicating they lost the "large compass" in the river torrent at one point. Later found.
A surveyor's chain. I had to take this photo....my dad was a surveyor/civil engineer and many is the time I used a more modern version of a "chain" while helping him survey. This one looks like it would catch on everything it was dragged over.
A map on the wall of the Ohio River, which Lewis and Clark followed from the east to get to St. Charles. Down at the bottom it has Fort Massac shown....which I posted photos of a month or so ago :-)
Of course, I managed to find a quilt! I'm guessing the blocks have to do with the trip, but it also has a 9-11 block in the center.
A bullboat......looks kind of like a furry covered tub. Lewis and Clark learned how to build it from the Indians and used two on the Yellowstone River. Requires the hide of one buffalo.
A set of Lewis and Clark puppets for telling the story :-)
There is a full size version of this statue outside, which I neglected to photograph. This is Lewis and Clark....and Sailor.
There were several dioramas telling the story of parts of the journey.Oct 6, 1804 "....passed a village of about 80 neet lodges covered with earth and picketed around, those loges are Spicious...."CLARK
Nov. 2, 1804 "....This morning early we fixed on the site for our fortification which we immediately set about....This place we have named Fort Mandan in honour of our Neighbors...." LEWIS
(I've joined the expedition as photographer, as seen in the glass :-)
(I've joined the expedition as photographer, as seen in the glass :-)
December 7, 1805 "...this situation is on a rise about 30 feet higher than the high tides....leavel and thickly covered with lofty pine.....""CLARK(Fort Clatsop at Pacific Ocean winter camp).
We'll leave Lewis and Clark in their winter camp and continue with our trip tomorrow.
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7 comments:
Love the blog Mary. especially that 1" bore swivel musket gun, can you imagine being hit by one of its lead balls.
that museum must have been nice to walk around,
Oh what a wonderful plae Mary!! I could have spent hours there and wonder how I missed it on my travels. Thanks for sharing.
Mohamed Awad: I don't think I would like to have it pointed at me! Thanks for stopping by!
Joan: It was a great place. Maybe it wasn't there when you were here...how long ago was it?
This is a fascinating place.So much can be learned in places like this.
Blessings,Ruth
Mary, that's a very interesting post and you made such great pictures of everything!!!
I forgot to add in my email that I love stuff about Lewis and Clark...so this would be just the ticket for me.
Oh Mary, I'd love seeing all of the Lewis and Clark information... They have displayed it so well--and I'm sure you both enjoyed visiting that nature center...
Love hearing about all of the rivers... I never know where all of the big rivers are and which ones of them run into other ones... SO interesting... I need a Geography lesson again!!!! ha
Hope you have a great Father's Day.
Hugs,
Betsy
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