The Pacific Ocean

Spring 1806

Dear Mr. Jefferson,

The journey was the Corps at its best. The journey was America at its best.

I felt the sun beating againsted my skin, the hot sand under my feet. I stood and watched waves crash down on the shore. I was speechless at that moment. Thoughts were racing in my mind about how far we've traveled, all they obstacles we've faced, I just couldn't believed what we had accomplished! This journey was a once and a lifetime opportunity and I think I can speak for everyone when I say, we couldn't have been happier about being on it.

We are the Corps. Considering how hard we've all worked just being here felt like a miracle. I felt renewed and stronger than before, I could tell everyone was feeling the same. The Captions were very generous and let us vote on where we wanted to go next, everyone was able to vote. I hope everyone is ready because were coming home.

Signed,

Christina

P.S. For my weekly labors, discoveries... for all my endeavors have brought to this journey, I believe I should be paid the grade of an A.

John's Birthday

March 29th, 1806

Dear Journal,

Yippe! Today was John's birthday! It was for sure much better than his last one.

Today we left Deer Island early, we traveled 14 miles to Sauvie Island ("Wapato Island" to them) north of today's Portland, OR. Here we found the ground covered with wild chives. In three more miles, we stopped to visit a Cathlapotle village. We were welcomed and fed, and then purchased wapato and 12 dogs. After the visit, we traveled on to camp near today's Ridgefield, WA.

Gosh, everyday has felt so long and never ending! Maybe that is just my perspective! Anyways John I hope you had a great day [:

Michael's Birthday

March 24th, 1806

Dear Journal,

It was so funny! This morning when we all woke up Michael was all happy and we didn't know why, but then we realized we forgot about his birthday! He was quit mad at us for awhile, but he got over it quickly. Happy birthday Michael!

Today at dawn, Ordway led 15 people ahead 1.5 miles to get elk meat that Drouillard and the Rield brothers had killed. We all chowed down on fresh meat before setting off at 9:30 A.M. At the Cathlamet village (present Knappa, OR), they buy wapato roots, and a dog to nourish the ailing Willard and Bratton. Going upstream on the Columbia, we traveled a total of 15 miles! That's a pretty successful day!

Today also seemed like a long day! We were extra nice to Michael cause we felt bad about forgetting his birthday. I hope that he had a great day though! Happy birthday Michael [:

Joe's Birthday

February 28th, 1806

Dear Journal,

Guess what today was? Well I'm gonna tell you, it was Joe's birthday! Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, happy birthday dear Joe, happy birthday to you.

Today the jerked elk supply is down to three days' worth, and that is spoiled, so two parties of hunters are set out in different directions: toward Point Adams, and across the Netul River. Drouillard and two others are sent up to the Columbia river to catch (or purchase, if need be) candle fish.

It is really annoying that the elk supply is low right now, that is a pretty bad disadvantage! Hope that the hunters return back soon and safely. Joe, I also hope that you had a wonderful birthday and enjoyed it too [:

Sarah's Birthday

January 21st, 1806

Dear Journal,

There isn't that much that I can write about today for I am to cold to write! It is absolutely freezing outside and I don't like it one bit! On the bright side, today happened to be Sarah's birthday!

This morning the snow was nearly 5 feet deep and 18 inch icicles were hanging from the fort's eaves. Werner and Howard haven't returned with the salt yet, and Lewis mentioned that they are not the best woodsmen, but the area's perpetual cloud cover and thick forest make finding the way difficult even for good woodsmen.

You see what I mean when I say it was super duper cold today! I hope that it will get better by tomorrow! I have to go and try to keep myself warm. Sarah I hope that you enjoyed your birthday regardless of the freezing weather [:

Harrison's Birthday

January 11th, 1806

Dear Journal,

Today seemed like it went by very slowly for some reason. That was good for Harrison though because he got to enjoy his birthday!

Today the Cathlamets leave to go to the Clatsops and trade wapato for blubber that the Clatsops bought from the Tillamooks with beads obtained from whites. This, Lewis pointed out, was how traded goods from the coast get distributed well up the Columbia River. Someone who came in last night didn't tie up the Indian canoe, their lightest, and it's gone down the Netul with the tide. Some men got sent out to search for it.

Nothing really that interesting happened today except for that we have lost a canoe and we really hope that the people who got sent out find it! I'm afraid I have to go, for everyone's calling me to come to dinner! We have to go and sing to Harrison, hope he had a great birthday [:

Camelicious's Birthday

January 2nd, 1806

Dear Journal,

Guess what! I don't think I have mentioned it yet but we happen to be in a new year, 1806! Our trip has gone by so quickly and it is slowly coming to an end which disappoints me. Anyways, today was also a very special day for a very special boy named Cam.... it wash is birthday!

Today the three hunters who've been out for a full week now haven't returned, nor have Willard and Weiser, who went to help set up Salt Camp (at the site of today's Seaside, OR). Drouillard makes a survey of his traps, and brings in an otter! 

Sounds like a interesting day! We all kinda just rested today and Cam was so lucky it was his birthday since he didn't have to do anything! That lucky boy! Happy birthday Cam once again, hope you had a great one for this may be your last birthday on our adventure :]