Quivers and meat. To an extent, at least, that is what the two animals shown here meant to Lewis and Clark. But they also meant scientific discovery.
Today we found both the River Otter and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep as we ascended the rugged Snake River. An all-day riverboat ride took us farther along this tributary of the Columbia than the two famous explorers ever ventured. They arrived at the Columbia by way of the Clearwater River and lower Snake River. We had the privilege of exploring the calm lower reaches of the Snake and then crashing our way over the rapids for 56 miles, well into spectacular Hells Canyon. Our high-powered jet boat featured technology that was beyond comprehension even 50 years ago, let alone in 1805 when Lewis and Clark neared the end of their Journey of Discovery.
The long, slender hides of the River Otter (Lutra canadensis) made ideal quivers for the Shoshoni and Nez Perce peoples, whom Lewis and Clark encountered along the route. But the explorers carried an ample supply of firearms, so were less dependent than the native North Americans on bows, arrows and quivers. Any soft, warm fur was welcomed, though, especially during the bitterly cold winters.
Near the Teton River the expedition had encountered three French traders who had returned from west of that area. They told of white bears, white-booted turkeys and an animal with large circular horns. Lewis and Clark found all three of these, later to be named the Grizzly Bear, the Sage Grouse and the Bighorn Sheep. The bighorn (Ovis canadensis) proved to be abundant along the route and was a good food source for the hard working group. Lewis was successful in collecting a mature ram, a ewe and a young ram, the bones, hides and horns of which were included in a shipment of 200 items send back to Washington, DC from Fort Mandan. Like so many other plants and animals collected by the expedition, and documented with detailed notes and drawings, the bighorn proved to be a species new to science.
We found the heat of this valley astonishing today, especially for late September. Cool in the morning, we soon warmed with the towering sun. Our eyes dried quickly as the wind rushed through the open windows of our speedy boat. A picnic lunch beside the river and a late afternoon tour of the Nez Perce cultural center near Lewiston added to an exciting, full and eventful day. We look forward to further discoveries tomorrow, as we return downstream and back into the grand Columbia.
Today we found both the River Otter and the Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep as we ascended the rugged Snake River. An all-day riverboat ride took us farther along this tributary of the Columbia than the two famous explorers ever ventured. They arrived at the Columbia by way of the Clearwater River and lower Snake River. We had the privilege of exploring the calm lower reaches of the Snake and then crashing our way over the rapids for 56 miles, well into spectacular Hells Canyon. Our high-powered jet boat featured technology that was beyond comprehension even 50 years ago, let alone in 1805 when Lewis and Clark neared the end of their Journey of Discovery.
The long, slender hides of the River Otter (Lutra canadensis) made ideal quivers for the Shoshoni and Nez Perce peoples, whom Lewis and Clark encountered along the route. But the explorers carried an ample supply of firearms, so were less dependent than the native North Americans on bows, arrows and quivers. Any soft, warm fur was welcomed, though, especially during the bitterly cold winters.
Near the Teton River the expedition had encountered three French traders who had returned from west of that area. They told of white bears, white-booted turkeys and an animal with large circular horns. Lewis and Clark found all three of these, later to be named the Grizzly Bear, the Sage Grouse and the Bighorn Sheep. The bighorn (Ovis canadensis) proved to be abundant along the route and was a good food source for the hard working group. Lewis was successful in collecting a mature ram, a ewe and a young ram, the bones, hides and horns of which were included in a shipment of 200 items send back to Washington, DC from Fort Mandan. Like so many other plants and animals collected by the expedition, and documented with detailed notes and drawings, the bighorn proved to be a species new to science.
We found the heat of this valley astonishing today, especially for late September. Cool in the morning, we soon warmed with the towering sun. Our eyes dried quickly as the wind rushed through the open windows of our speedy boat. A picnic lunch beside the river and a late afternoon tour of the Nez Perce cultural center near Lewiston added to an exciting, full and eventful day. We look forward to further discoveries tomorrow, as we return downstream and back into the grand Columbia.
