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Wood River, Illinois
The Corps men camp at the mouth of the Wood River in Illinois. During the winter they make tools, train themselves at shooting, and hunt for meat. In the Spring then men make maple sugar for the trip. They then leave the camp on May 14, 1804 to head on and start their journey. Everything had been gathered up for the long trip. -
Council Bluffs, Iowa
The Corps of Discovery Camp up river in Council Bluffs, Iowa. Then after five days, some Oto and Missouri chiefs, some warriors, and French arrive. They all have a small meeting and promise each other peace and future trading. This date is important because these are the first Native Americans that The Corps Discovery see on the way and they are trying to make as many Native friends as possible. -
South Dakota
While Lewis and Clark were in South Dakota, they discovered a plant they named a prairie turnip. This plant had a starchy root and it could be eaten like a potato. This plant could also be pounded into a flour and made into bread. Lewis and Clark had never seen such a plant before and it was important for them to record this in their journals.
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Nebraska
Lewis, Clark, and the rest of the men reach Nebraska and they spot many animals that they had never seen before such as coyotes, antelope, mule deer, and others. They all try to drown an unusual animal in it’s hole so they can ship it back to Thomas Jefferson. Lewis named it a “barking squirrel” but another member of the group named it a prairie dog. -
South Dakota
Another plant the explorers found in South Dakota was silver sagebrush. That was another plant that Lewis and Clark had never seen. The woody bush had a pleasant smell and it was an important food for antelopes. Great Plains tribes use sage as medicine and for spiritual ceremonies. -
Sacagawea
Lewis and Clark stay among the Mandan and Hidatsa villages for the winter. They become really great friends of the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians. While staying there, they meet a French- Canadian interpreter and his young Indian wife, Sacagawea. Lewis and Clark hire them into the Corps Discovery group as interpreters. -
Rocky Mountains
When the Corps Discovery group reach the Rocky Mountains, they are in need of some horses to be able to cross the mountains. Lewis then discovers a village of Shoshones and tries to negotiate for horses. Clark and the rest of the expedition arrives as well, and it is discovered that the Shoshone chief, Cameahwait, is Sacagawea's brother. They buy 29 horses and they also hire a Shoshone guide named Old Toby. Lewis and Clark also name the site Camp Fortunate. -
Pacific Ocean
The Corps of Discovery finally reach their destination, the Pacific Ocean. They are all joyful and happy that they had finally reached what they were looking for after a year of traveling. The group made a camp in what is now Oregon and that is where Lewis and Clark had time to write in their journals, and also complete drawing the map of their expedition. They built a camp and name it Fort Clatsop to stay throughout Winter. -
Head On Home
The Corps Discovery leave the camp that they had made to stay through the winter so they can head on back home to St. Louis. Lewis and Clark had successfully found a way to the Pacific Ocean and their goal to discover new plants, animals, and land had been accomplished, so now it was time for the group to head on back home. -
Bitterroot Mountains
The Corps Discovery reaches the Bitterroot mountains, but they have to wait for the snow to melt before being able to cross them. During this time, the group stays with a Native American tribe named the Nez Perce. Lewis describes them as the most friendliest Indians they have met on their whole journey. -
Separate Ways
On this day, the expedition group breaks into smaller groups in order to explore more of the Louisiana Territory. Clark and his group head down the Yellowstone River, while Lewis takes the shortcut to the Great Falls, and then travels north along the Marias River. -
Back to Missouri
July 27, 1806- While making their way back to Missouri, Lewis' group find eight Blackfeet warriors. They camp together, but in the morning, the group catches the Blackfeet trying to steal their horses and guns. Lewis’ group fight back for their things and two Blackfeet Indians were killed. This was the only unfriendly encounter with indians. -
Reunited
The two separate groups rejoin with each other on the Missouri River in what is now North Dakota. They travel all together the rest of way back to St. Louis. -
St. Louis
The Corps Discovery arrives at St. Louis after being away for 2 years, 4 months, and 10 days. The whole expedition had been more than 8,000 miles. During the whole expedition, they had killed more than 1,000 deer, 375 elk, and 227 bison.
