Clearwater and Snake Rivers
We set out this beautiful sun-filled morning from the mouth of the Clearwater River. One group traveled by jet boat up the Snake River and into the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The rest of the guests retraced Lewis and Clark’s campsites up the Clearwater drainage. A hidden theme of the day, on both journeys, could have been survival. The Clearwater group learned of the hardships that were overcome by the Corps of Discovery on both their arrival and departing treks in 1805 and 1806. Survival skills of fire and cordage(rope) making were practiced while instruction was provided on hide tanning, fire starting and canoe making(see photo). These skills, commonly used by the Nez Perce, contributed to the success and survival of the Corps in their grueling marathon to the Pacific.
Those guests that traveled up the Snake River enjoyed a unique canyon and a history that was threatened not too many years ago. The signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in the 1970’s prevented a proposed dam near Asotin, Washington. Much of the beauty and several historic and cultural sites enjoyed by today’s Lindblad ‘explorers’ would not have survived the completion of this dam. Steelhead fishermen were seen busily trying to catch elusive hatchery fish that had survived the several-hundred-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean.
The day was concluded by both groups reconvening at the Nez Perce National Historical Park. We enjoyed viewing a Jefferson Peace Medal as well as the eloquent Nez Perce apparel that survived many decades since its collection in the 1830’s by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. Fortunately, it has returned home to the Nez Perce. Hopefully, through its preservation we can come to appreciate a culture that helped sustain the miraculous journey of the Corps of Discovery. Thanks to the Nez Perce people!
We set out this beautiful sun-filled morning from the mouth of the Clearwater River. One group traveled by jet boat up the Snake River and into the Hells Canyon National Recreation Area. The rest of the guests retraced Lewis and Clark’s campsites up the Clearwater drainage. A hidden theme of the day, on both journeys, could have been survival. The Clearwater group learned of the hardships that were overcome by the Corps of Discovery on both their arrival and departing treks in 1805 and 1806. Survival skills of fire and cordage(rope) making were practiced while instruction was provided on hide tanning, fire starting and canoe making(see photo). These skills, commonly used by the Nez Perce, contributed to the success and survival of the Corps in their grueling marathon to the Pacific.
Those guests that traveled up the Snake River enjoyed a unique canyon and a history that was threatened not too many years ago. The signing of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act in the 1970’s prevented a proposed dam near Asotin, Washington. Much of the beauty and several historic and cultural sites enjoyed by today’s Lindblad ‘explorers’ would not have survived the completion of this dam. Steelhead fishermen were seen busily trying to catch elusive hatchery fish that had survived the several-hundred-mile journey from the Pacific Ocean.
The day was concluded by both groups reconvening at the Nez Perce National Historical Park. We enjoyed viewing a Jefferson Peace Medal as well as the eloquent Nez Perce apparel that survived many decades since its collection in the 1830’s by Marcus and Narcissa Whitman. Fortunately, it has returned home to the Nez Perce. Hopefully, through its preservation we can come to appreciate a culture that helped sustain the miraculous journey of the Corps of Discovery. Thanks to the Nez Perce people!
