Two keelboat replicas from Louis & Clark’s adventure, dressing up as Louis & Clark and, well Louis & Clark!
We are on a 9,000 mile Great American Road trip. You can catch up on our last post: Badlands National Park – Spotting Bighorn Sheep in the wild, bouldering on the fossil trail, and visiting a paleontology wonderland! here
Louis and Clark Trail
The basic overview of the trail of Louis & Clark starts in St. Louis following the the Missouri River to the great divide, through the bitterroot mountains and down the Columbia River. America holds this trip in great significance because it opened up the Pacific Northwest to American Citizens following the Louisiana Purchase from the French.
Our trip loosely follows the Trail, but in reverse starting in Fort Vancouver, Washington heading east towards St. Louis.
Covered in this post is the final leg of our Louis and Clark trail running from South Dakota’s Badlands all the way to St. Louis. We stop overnight in Sioux City North, South Dakota at a KOA and at Blue Springs, Missouri Lake Campground for a night on our way to St. Louis.
Dignity Statue
Heading towards Sioux City on Highway 90 we stopped at the Dignity Statue in Chamberlain, South Dakota just after the Highway crosses the Missouri river. The Dignity Statue honors the Dakota and the Lakota who are indigenous to South Dakota. A homage to the sacrifice that the Native American’s made in the making of America.
Coincidentally, it is also a rest stop that features a Louis & Clark Exhibit. The boys blew off some energy in the AC, a sanctuary from the blistering hot temps.
Inside there are several exhibits featuring the Native American influence and inventory of the items which were brought along on the expedition.
Louis & Clark State Park
The highlight of our trip along the trail of Louis & Clark is the State Park in Onawa, Iowa. They have not one but TWO KEELBOAT REPLICAS! As well, a museum with various exhibits about the trail.
For history buffs like myself we were entreated to a life sized replica to imagine ourselves floating up the Missouri in. Built by team of historical enthusiasts in the area, both of the ships have been water tested.
One of the Keel Boats is permanently exhibited on the River, however during our visit, was out of the water.
My inspiration for following the Louis & Clark Trail is after reading the book “Undaunted Courage” by Stephen A Ambrose.
Using first hand evidence from many of the available sources including Meriwether Louis’s & Clark’s Journals, letters sent to his family and Thomas Jefferson and much more. In addition, the book explores the theories and the evidence available surrounding his mysterious death.
Not known to many is that the Journals were not widely published until long after Louis & Clark’s death. Many of the discoveries of plants, animals, waterfalls, landmarks, maps, were not made well known until the Journals came out.
Sioux City North KOA
Sioux City North KOA is a convenient stop off the highway. The kids enjoyed some activities while Dad caught up on some Blog writing with the super fast internet.
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail Headquarters
Our last stop on the Lewis and Clark trail is the Historic Trail Headquarters. Located in Omaha Nebraska, getting to the building takes you through the city and to the water side.
Inside is a gift shop and a very basic exhibit on Lewis and Clark. Here you can earn your Lewis and Clark Jr. Ranger badge or dress up as your favorite period character!
With the Trail of discovery behind us, we arrive in St. Louis Missouri for the final stop on the Great American Roadtrip!
