What a far cry from October 14, 1805, the day Lewis and Clark passed the Palouse and described this magnificent outcropping that we call Monumental Rock. The expedition has been on the Lemhi and Clearwater, wants to get beyond the Snake as soon as possible and head down the mighty Columbia before winter really sets in.
Let's read a piece of William Clark's entry for the day:
"A very cold morning. We passed a remarkable rock, very large and resembling the hull of a ship. Passed rapids at 6 and 9 miles. At 12 miles we came to at the head of a rapid which the Indians told me was very bad. We viewed the rapid, found it bad in descending. Three stern canoes stuck fast for some time. One struck a rock in the worst part. Fortunately all landed safe below the rapid, which was nearly 3 miles in length. Here we dined, and for the first time for three weeks past, I had a good dinner of blue-winged teal.
"After dinner we set out. Proceeded two miles. Our stern canoe ran on a smooth rock and turned broadside. The canoe filled and sank. A number of articles floated out, men's bedding, clothes and skins, the "lodge" of the two officers. In about an hour, we got the men and canoe to shore. We had every article exposed to the sun to dry on an island. Our loss in provisions is very considerable. All of our roots were in the canoe that sank. Our loose powder was all wet. This I think may be saved. In this island we found some split timber, the parts of a house which the Indians had very securely covered with stone. We have made it a point at all times not to take anything belonging to the Indians, even their wood. But at this time we are compelled to violate this rule and take a part of the split timber we find here buried for firewood, as no other is to be found in any direction."
Quite a switch for all of us today. Great food, wonderful conversations, marvelous sights. New friends. Lewis and Clark and crew would like our May 14, 2000 activities.
