When President Jefferson dispatched Meriwether Lewis and the Corps of Discovery to find a way to the western sea, he asked them to record all the flora and fauna that were new to science and describe them. They did an admirable job of this and added a great quantity of information to our pool of knowledge.
On the way Lewis was assisted by many of his men, who sought out new creatures and plants along the way. On October 30, 1805 as they were floating down river near the Cascades of the Columbia, one of the members called to Lewis’ attention a new kind of maple, displaying vivid red and orange colors of autumn. Lewis described for the first time the Vine Maple, Acer circinatum.
The following spring, as they passed what is now called the Lewis River, on their way back up the Columbia, headed for home, another of the men pointed out a small frog on the forest floor. Lewis described for the first time the Western Spotted Frog, Rana pretiosa.
We have been traveling on the Sea Bird these several days, all the way from Portland, Oregon to Clarkston, Washington. We have come back downstream to the mouth of the river on a voyage called “In the Wake of Lewis and Clark.” As we have traveled we have viewed things that the Corps of Discovery saw, and have developed a sense of connection with them across nearly two hundred years.
Imagine our pleasure on this last full day of the trip when we were able to see those same Vine Maples, and to have drawn to our attention by Bob Harrington, one of our guests, a small frog. It was that same Western Spotted Frog, found so long ago. We take pleasure in sharing them with you.
