Lewis And Clark Trail

[ajayhawkfan]

The route planning is over and downloaded into my GPS. I put new rubber on my 1200GSA and had the oil changed. The bike is packed and ready to go. I just have to wait until Friday and then I'm out of here.

I decided to follow the Louis And Clark route up the Missouri River, across the Lolo Pass and down the Columbia River to Fort Clatsop. To prepare for the trip I read numerous book this spring and summer including the edited version of the actual journals. This is a solo trip once past Yankton, SD.

I'm going to take mostly blacktop to Yankton, SD because I have visited most of the sights between St. Louis and Yankon. From Yankton to the coast I'm going to be on gravel as much as possible. Once along the Columbia River following L&C's route and riding gravel may not be possible. I'll find out.

Most likely I'll be leaving my bike with the dealer in Portland and flying home. I have booked a Southwest flight on July 15. I plan to fly back to Portland and take either the Pony Express or Oregon Trail home. When I go back will depend on work.

If you are interested in following my route you can find it here: https://spotwalla.com/publicTrips.php?u ... jayhawkfan

Troy has used Instagram in the past while traveling. I have never used it before so am up in the air about it. Anyone have any thought? Would anyone be interested if I did?

[troy]

I'll be watching for sure!

[gagnaou]

I'll be watching for sure!

Me too!!!

[DirtFarmer]

Have fun Eddie, some great places to see.
I have paddled the Missouri Breaks twice, would love to do it again.

Ken Burns "The Journey of the Corps of Discovery" had just came out before my first trip up there. I enjoyed that so much Sally bought me the VHS tapes.

[ajayhawkfan]

I have watched that series and it is fantastic.

Stephen Ambrose book Undaunted Courage is good but the book I really enjoyed was: " The Lewis and Clark Journals: An American Epic of Discovery; The Abridgement of the Definitive Nebraska Edition". I'm taking it with me to read as I'm traveling.
https://www.amazon.com/Lewis-Clark-Jour ... 0803280394

[ajayhawkfan]

I'm in ND. The ride along the river is much prettier than I was led to believe. The gravel roads are wide and easy. I'm ok with that being that I'm alone and I see almost no trucks and fewer homes.

[ajayhawkfan]

I didn’t take many pics with phone today because I used my camera more.

In the Missouri Breaks area and it is incredible.

I took the road up the hill, it was a rutted mess for miles. In pic it doesn’t look that steep but while going up it felt it.


I also crossed the Missouri River on this ferry. I’ll be crossing tomorrow twice on ferrys.

[troy]

Some really beautiful photos, Eddie! (If and of you are looking at these on your tiny phone screen, I encourage you to take the time to view on a larger screen to see the detail.) I hope you have time to share more photos and comments!

[bird man]

Enjoying your trip and scenery with you. Thanks for sharing ,looking forward to seeing more.

[safiri]

Keep the pics and commentary coming! Awesome.

[RDW]

I'm liking it all, too!! Please keep sharing!

Thanks! Take care, RD

[ajayhawkfan]

It has been a great trip but going faster than I planned. The Lolo Trail (110 miles) was closed because of snow. I was planning a ful day on that. I also planned half days at Fort Mandan and the Great Falls. That was too much time at each.

I’m now thinkInfo of riding home.

[ajayhawkfan]

[ajayhawkfan]

[Hank Moody]

Thanks for sharing your trip! As others have said please keep the photos coming.

[troy]

Wow! That photo with the hills and the road winding through left to right and the sunbeams coming down....ART!

[bird man]

I agree with Troy that photo is fabulous. What is the name of dam and lake formed by it.

[DirtFarmer]

I agree with Troy that photo is fabulous. What is the name of dam and lake formed by it.

I believe that is Black Eagle Dam at Great Falls.

[troy]

Check out my new laptop background wallpaper! Thanks, Eddie!

[ajayhawkfan]

Farmer is correct. That is the Great Falls. The first of 5 L&C had to portage around.

Not as much off blacktop as I would like and it is hot, but a dry heat. Natives are telling me it is a few degrees below normal. The high have been around 93 the last few days.