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Montana's diminished rivers and scant streams of the dry summer of 2000 were a world apart from when Lewis & Clark were in the area 200 years ago.
The Great Falls was an obstacle course for the men of the Corps of Discovery. They had envisioned one waterfall they could quickly portage on the way to the Pacific. Instead, they were faced with a series of five falls and a portage route that covered nearly 18 rugged miles on and around the Missouri River.It took a good month to get everything ready and moved.
In memory of that great trip of discovery and in anticipation of the celebrations to come on the 200th year anniversary, the Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail Interpretive Center has been built high on a bluff overlooking the Missouri River as it passes through Great Falls.
The men of the Corps of Discovery had quite an interesting assignment: They were to map as they went along making notes of all the animals and plants they encountered. Thomas Jefferson wanted to know about all the new discoveries as well as any dealings with the native peoples. He was convinced that there should be a northwest passage -- an easy way to get to the Pacific by boat. The vast un-mapped area of the Louisiana Territory doubled the size of the United States.
The central and signature display at the interpretative center is the great portage over the falls. Spanning two floors of the building, the interpretation shows how it was to pull, push, haul, and drag the long canoes piled high with equipment and supplies, over the mountains.
One of the posiive themes of the center is the interaction between the explorers and Indians. The new gold Sacajawea dollar celebrates the contributions of the Indian girl who undoubtedly saved the lives of the explorers on several occasions. With her help and the use of four or five languages including several Indian dialects, French and English, the captains of the expedition were able to barter for horses and goods and get directions through a mapless territory.
The center has both indoor and outdoor exhibits. The walk down from the river side of the center to river's edge is easy and worthwhile. This is where a sudden jolt to a canoe almost cost Sacajawea's baby his life. Today's moms can be seen along the hiking and biking trails adjacent to the museum. They too are carrying their cherished babies in backpacks much like the Indian mamas did.
The interpretive trail along the river helps visitors visualize what was happening when the two captains were traversing the area so long ago. On the west bank is where Lewis encountered a none too polite grizzly bear. A mural in town well depicts his predicament.
One of the journals written during the trip describes the river around Great Falls as "one continued sene of rappids and cascades which I readily perceive could not be encountered with our canoes." No kidding!
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