“Who” Is Going With Us On The Lewis & Clark Trail? Missouri

On the way home (footnoted 1) from a 4 hour drive to our sister-in-law’s birthday party, in Missouri, we drove along Hwy 36 over the Mississippi River to the Illinois side and down south along the river. At Hamburg, right along the river, we could see where it flooded the other day when we were having all those storms and tornado warnings. The road was blocked and had huge logs from the river in the road. 

Barge Waiting To Go Through Lock, Mississippi River, Godfrey, IL, 05/26

At Godfrey, Illinois, we saw tugs and barges right along the edge of the road. They weren’t moving. Later we asked the volunteer at the historic site and he said they were waiting to go through the lock and dam. That lock and dam must have boats going through 24 hours a day. Oh, we wish there was a campground right there for us! The closer we go to the metro St Louis area, the busier the little towns were. They are right along the Mississippi River and a perfect day to be out. 

Where Lewis & Clark And The Corps Of Discovery Started! Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL 05/26

We got to Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL and this is where the Corps of Discovery STARTED! This is where Lewis said it started and the date was May 14, 1804, exactly this week 222 years ago. There is a huge building and we were about the only ones there. I am so glad I have read and reread about Lewis & Clark and the Corps of Discovery. (This place didn’t have captions, script, or anything for accommodations for the deaf for their film. This place got an F for that and later a letter nicely explaining the American with Disabilities Act.) 

New Map! Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL 05/26

There is a replica of what the keelboat might have looked like. It was 53 ft long and 8 ft wide. HOWE (footnote 2) and our truck hooked up is 54 ft long and 8.5 ft wide so that is a good comparison. We bought a great map of the route and information. I hung it up and will put stickers on it after we visit each spot. 

Translating Through 6 People! Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL 05/26

Look at all the translators. This example was used later on when they were in the Montana area. Have you ever played the “telephone game”? HA (Charbonneau is Sacagawea’s husband and they both joined much later.)

From The Upper Left, Missouri River Joins Mississippi River On The Right, Starting Point, Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, Hartford, IL 05/26

We drove down to near the water. There were so many trees and bushes it was hard to see but we did find a place where we could see the Missouri River coming into the Mississippi River. There was even a barge. Down a ways is a tall tower to climb to see it but I read it is closed. 

Happy Cinco de Mayo – one of my most favorite food days. This morning a sweet friend of ours picked me up and took me to La Belle Vie (means The Good Life) for breakfast. We both had Lake Bake which is hash browns with egg on top. Toast and gravy on the side. We were there for almost 2 hours and had a wonderful visit. She gave me a present and a lovely card. It is note cards with drawing from a local artist all about Lewis & Clark. She is so very thoughtful. Then she drove me around St Charles Historic District and along the Missouri River. Around and the back way to their house. We met this sweet couple through the blog and have met up with them several times. They have the biggest hearts and volunteer at different National Parks while living in their travel trailer throughout the year.  The three of us played 2 rounds of Skip-bo. Back home I made dinner of all things Cinco de Mayo. 😋 Another evening our friends invited to their house for dinner, games, and more visiting. A blast! They are a fun couple.

370 Lakeside Park Campground; Walking To Farmers Market, St Peters, MO 05/26

We got an email from the campground and a note on the door telling about the traffic flow pattern change for the farmers market today. Last week the park actually closed completely because it was so full of people for the market. (We were away at the birthday party.) It was a lovely day out and we decided to walk down to the market. Apple Watch showed it was about 0.8 mile each way. Like most “farmers markets” these days, it is 99% just stuff: food things like cookies and breads, handmade things like bowl cozies and wood art, naturalist things like soaps and creams, etc. There was only 1 booth with anything “farmers” and it just had radishes and onions. Yes, it is early in the season but the fantastic one we went to in Columbia, Missouri, with Kevin’s brother, last week had all sorts of fresh veggies. Probably greenhouse. Anyway, fun to walk around and see what people are doing. One lady stopped us and asked if I am deaf, since she saw us signing. She was really good at it; her mom is deaf and asked if I knew her. I told her we aren’t from here. We both wanted to buy something from her since she signed to me (we usually do that, we have discovered) but she was selling plants and we don’t want that in HOWE. 

Lewis & Clark Boat House & Museum, St Charles, MO 05/26

Back home we got in the truck and drove to Lewis & Clark Boat House and Museum. This is right along the Missouri River around the area where Corps of Discovery stayed a few days, St Charles, Missouri. This museum is built on the second floor which is so smart. When the Missouri River floods, the waters go under the building and no damage done. I thought this wouldn’t be much of a place but was pleasantly surprised. The museum cost $7.00 but we got a discount with our NPS pass. The back windows and even an outside deck, open up to the Missouri River.

It Happened In St Charles, MO, Lewis & Clark Boat House & Museum, St Charles, MO 05/26

The displays offer information about St Charles and what went on here with the Corps of Discovery. In a huge room they showed a long film – with captions – that we thought was wonderfully done. It follows Lewis & Clark and it is all reenacted. Very well done. Impressed. I think it lasted close to 20+ minutes, not sure. 

Quilt With Names Of Corps Of Discovery, Lewis & Clark Boat House & Museum, St Charles, MO 05/26

In that room we saw a quilt on the wall. It has all the names of the Corps of Discovery each in a square. What a great way to remember the people. 

So far, all the information I have read here and at the Lewis & Clark State Historic Site, coincide exactly with the book, Undaunted Courage. I am so glad about that. 

Lewis’ Dog, Seaman, Will Travel The Trail With Us! Lewis & Clark Boat House & Museum, St Charles, MO 05/26

At the store, we bought an ornament, some post cards, and…Seaman the dog! Meriwether Lewis had a dog named Seaman and Seaman went on the entire trip to the ocean and back with him. He is so cute! We decided he will go along the Trail with us. We hope to remember to add him to pictures, too. LOL He is now riding in the back seat up high so he can look out. We were here over 2 hours. 

The parking lot is shared with the Katy Trail and it was filled up. We decided to drive St Charles Historic District and along the brick covered main street. Well, it is very long and not one parking spot opened. It was just nice to drive along, slowly, and see the old buildings and the shops. At one point the traffic stopped completely and we saw a small band dressed in old military uniforms. I actually got out and walked down and got a picture. At the end of the district we went up and over to 2nd street. Down a ways I showed Kevin where our friend had taken me for breakfast. And, we decided to eat there! We were able to park a block away on the street. La Belle Vie was much busier today. I had a most delicious French Dip and potato salad on the side. Kevin had a huge and fresh Chef Salad. Rated: So Glad Our Friend Showed Us This Place; Come Again Next Time We Are In The Area. We decided we were done exploring for the day and went home around 2:30 p.m. and sat outside and read. Beautiful day.

*The blog posts are taken from my daily travel journal. Would you believe – it takes me a 1/2 day every week to whittle down a week’s worth of journal so it won’t be too long for the post each week. HAHA Thank you for reading!

1. “Home” is where we park it. Home is our 2022 Alliance Avenue, 36 ft, 5th wheel.

2. “HOWE” is what we named our Alliance Avenue 36-ft 5th wheel. See: Home On WhEels and we pronounce it Howie. We live and travel in it full-time around the country. HOWE has stayed at least one night in all 48 continuous U.S. states.