Lewis & Clark in North Dakota

Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park is on the Lewis and Clark Trail through North Dakota at the confluence of the Heart and Missouri River. It is the cavalry post from which Lt Col. George Custer led the 7^th Cavalry to the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. The ruins of the On-a-Slant Village, occupied by the Mandan Indians for more than two centuries are also located in this state park.

     

Mandan lodges                                                             Lewis and Clark meet the Mandan chief

Fort Mandan is a replica of the expedition’s home for the 1804-05 winter. Lewis and Clark met Sakakawea at Fort Mandan. It was here that the men made their final preparations for the push into the unknown American West toward the Pacific Ocean.

    

Winter at Fort Mandan

The Corps of Discovery traveled in a 55 foot keelboat with a mere three-foot draft often needing to pull the boat up stream against the cold, swiftly flowing Missouri River. This boat carried 14 tons of supplies and the men.

     

Expedition Newfoundland                                           Swift flowing Missouri River

 

Theodore Roosevelt National Park 

In the badlands of North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park pays tribute to the 26^th president’s contributions toward the conservation of the nation’s natural resources. It is now home to several herds of freely roaming bison. Over centuries the Little Missouri River has helped carve the terrain into many strange and colorful formations.

    

Bison roam in the meadows and on the road

       

                Cannonball Concertions                                                                    Buffalo chips

Caprock

 

Questions of the day: What is “scoria”? How is it used? We saw scoria for sale throughout North Dakota.

 

In 1804 the expedition passed by the confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers

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Confluence of the Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers                         What are these birds?

 

By the way, if you know a 4^th grader, direct them to www.everykidinapark.gov for free entrance to all US national parks for their entire family.

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