Kansas City

One of the first observations by members of the Corps of Discovery in the area where the Kansas River flows into the Missouri River is the large number of parakeets (or Parrot Queets in the journal). At one time the Carolina Parakeets, which were the only parrot species native to North America were abundant; however, by the mid-20th Century, they were extinct. When camped just above the mouth of the Kansas River, Clark entered in his journal on June 26, 1804 the following, "I observed a great number of Parrot queets" this evening." The birds probably made themselves well known both by their flamboyant colors and their singing. The journaling members of the Corps of Discovery are well known for quite creative spelling and grammar.

The Corps decided to remain camped just north of the mouth of the Kansas River, which had been named after the Kansa or Kaw Indian nation, to make repairs to the boats, to make measurements of the rivers and other scientific observations, and to recruit additional members of the Corps. Of the River and the Indian nation, Clark wrote,

"...This River recves its name from a nation which dwells at this time on its banks & 2 villages one about 20 Leagues & the other 40 Leagues up, those Indians are not verry noumerous at this time, reduced by war with their neighbours, &c. they formerly liveid on the South banks of the Missouries 24 Leagues above this river in a open & butifull plain and were verry noumerous at the time the french first Settled the Illinois, I am told they are a fierce & warlike people, being badly Supplied with fire arms, become easily conquered by the Aiauway & Saukees who are better furnished with those materials of war, This nation is now out in the plains hunting the Buffalow..."

The Confluence of the Kansas River and Missouri River

Clark also noted that the location was, "a butifull place for a fort, good landing place." 

At the time of the expedition, this part of the continent was included in the Louisiana Purchase. As states were formed, it was often the rivers that became boundaries between the states. Today, the place the expedition landed is Kansas City, and the place they set up camp was in current day Kansas. We visited sites in both Kansas City, Kansas, and Kansas City, Missouri.


Kaw Point in Kansas City, Kansas, is a point of land that juts out where the two rivers meet, and a sculpture depicting Lewis and Clark sits at the end of the point. The park area also includes a monument to the Indian nations that were local to the area, an amphitheater facing the rivers, and trails along the river bank. Altogether, it is a peaceful place and a fitting monument.

 Here's a friend Gene made at Kaw Point.

Kaw Point from Case Park

Kansas City, Missouri, also established a monument to commemorate the Lewis and Clark expedition in Case Park, which is situated high up on a bluff. The park, being so high, affords a magnificent view of the convergence. In the photo to the right, the Kansas River is on the left, and the Missouri is on the right. Kaw Point is in the center.






Case Park is a shady spot overlooking the river. Although the day we visited the temperature was in the low 90's, the shade and steady breeze helped us stay cool. The shape of the park is circular with benches all around facing the fantastic view. Right in the center is a beautiful and elaborate sculpture depicting Lewis, Clark, Sacagawea, York, and Seaman. York was Clark's slave, and Seaman was Lewis' Newfoundland dog. The detail in the sculpture is wonderful. I found myself captivated. No telling how many times I circled the sculpture.









I could easily imagine a school group having a list to hunt for various details in the sculpture. However, today schoolchildren may think Clark is checking his cell phone rather than his compass.

Arrow Rock, Missouri

The town of Arrow Rock is a quaint place that seems to have been frozen in time. As we left the visitor's center into the town walking on the wavy brick sidewalks and exploring historic homes and shops, we began to feel like we were being transported to another time. I'm sure my blood pressure dropped a few points. I know any tension I was feeling began to melt away. We quickly decided to have lunch at the historic J. Huston Tavern and Restaurant while we looked through the information about the town and decided which activities we would be able to participate in. The Tavern has served customers for over 180 years and is the oldest continuously operating restaurant west of the Mississippi River. To me, the car parked in front of the restaurant looked out of place. I thought it would be more appropriate for a horse and buggy to be out front.

Arrow Rock's name dates back to a French 1732 map, which identified the spot as "pierre a fleche," or "rock of arrows." The high riverside bluff was composed primarily of limestone and also contained much flint. For thousands of years, the site was a source for the raw materials needed to create flint tools and weapons.

The path of the river has changed since Lewis and Clark encountered it and the time when Arrow Rock was a bustling town thriving through commerce spurred by it's location by the river. The shifting of the river's course as well as the advance of the use of railroad transportion put a halt to the town's growth. Today, the town is is a national historic landmark as it played a key role in the westward expansion.

Lewis and Clark passed by the area that later became the town of Arrow Rock on June 9, 1804. The journals of the expedition contain the following description of Arrow Rock:

"On the 9th, we set out early, and reached a cliff of rocks, called the Arrow Rock, near to which is a prairie called the Prairies of Arrows, and Arrow creek, a small stream about eight yards wide, whose source is in the adjoining prairies on the south. At this cliff the Missouri is confined within a bed of two hundred yards; and about four miles to the south-east is a large lick and salt spring of great strength. About three miles further is Blackbird creek on the north side, opposite to which, is an island and a prairie inclosing a small lake. Five miles beyond this we encamped on the south side, after making, in the course of the day, thirteen miles."

Hiking opportunities within the park are available with two trails. The River Landing trail is a short, easy trail leading to the Lewis and Clark Trail of Discovery. The Pierre a’ Fleche (Rock of Arrows) Trail is a longer, moderate trail encompassing the southern portion of the park. Either trail will provide opportunities to see a diversity of flora and fauna. We hiked the River Landing trail and a portion of the Lewis and Clark Trail of Discovery. A driving tour is also an option for individuals with disabilities.

We would definitely return. I would love to be able to attend a production at the Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre.

St. Louis and St. Charles, Missouri

Gene and I are so excited to be starting our long-awaited adventure to learn more about the Lewis & Clark Expedition by following the Lewis & Clark trail from Missouri to the Pacific coast in Oregon. We are starting out our trip in St. Louis and have already visited some of the sites related to the initiation of the expedition.

The exploration of the western portion of North America was the vision of Thomas Jefferson. For decades, Jefferson had tried unsuccessfully to staff a party to explore the northwest and attempt to discover a northwest passage to improve trade with the west coast and other nations. Other nations, primarily France and Spain, had interests in the land and resources west of the Mississippi River; which was already inhabited by numerous tribes native to the land. In 1803, sold 828,000 square miles to the U.S. The transaction was dubbed the Louisiana Purchase. The purchase of the land cleared the way for Lewis & Clark to travel west unhindered by other foreign powers. Thomas Jefferson's charge to Meriwether Lewis was to "explore the Missouri river, and such principal streams of it, as, by its course and communication with the waters of the Pacific ocean, whether the Columbia, Oregan [sic], Colorado, or any other river, may offer the most direct and practicable water-communication across the continent, for the purposes (of commerce."

It is fitting that we begin our travels here in Missouri where the co-leaders and the other brave men of the expedition launched their boats on May 14 of 1804. In tribute to Thomas Jefferson, we began our own travels by visiting the city of St. Louis and especially the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial. The Gateway Arch is a fitting memorial to Jefferson's personal interest and role in expanding the borders of the country and St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion. Countless individuals traveled through St. Louis on their way west. The Arch itself is an engineering marvel, and I am certain Thomas Jefferson would approve given his interest in science and engineering.

Next we visited the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center in Hartford, Illinois just the other side of the Mississippi River very near where Clark and the other men set up camp in December of 1803. The men camped there for approximately five months during which time Clark trained the men, established disciplinary order, and made preparations for the departure. The center includes a replica of Fort River Dubois where the party camped and trained.

 At the nearby Lewis & Clark Confluence Tower, we had a wonderful view of the Missouri River entering the Mississippi River. We could easily imagine the men making their preparations for the expedition and setting out.

In the picture to the right, the darker water on the far side of the Mississippi River is the Missouri River pouring into the Mississippi. That is the point at which The expedition embarked to explore the west, and especially to find the origin of the Missouri River and a waterway to the Pacific Ocean.

 Here we are with the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri rivers in the background. What a gorgeous day to be following in the footsteps of great explorers.




Finally, we visited the Lewis & Clark Boathouse and Nature Center located on the bank of the Missouri River. Unfortunately the boats were out on tour, be we found the museum fascinating. The exhibits described the entire expedition with excellent displays. After visiting the museum, we had plenty of time to visit historic St. Charles and enjoy the ice cream at Kilwin's.

Tomorrow we head west. Updates will follow.