It’s
an exciting part of history! Join Pioneer travel & Tour for another
once-in-a-lifetime experience as we relive the story and celebrate the
Bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Meriwether Lewis, Thomas
Jefferson’s private secretary, was knowledgeable in geography, navigation and
served in the Army in Ohio with Army Captain and friend William Clark. These two
men would be commissioned by President 
Jefferson to map and explore a portion of
the Louisiana Purchase including the Missouri River and other principal streams
to find a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Boat builders adapted a 55-foot
keelboat so it could be sailed, rowed, poled like a raft or towed from the
riverbank. In addition to the keelboat, two wooden rowboats called Pirogues were
taken to hold men and supplies. On May 21, 200 hundred years ago, “The Corps
of Discovery,” led by Lewis and Clark, started out on perhaps the greatest
expedition ever to set out across the North American Continent. On July 30 of
1804 Lewis and Clark set up camp on the western bank of the Missouri very near
present day Fort Calhoun, Nebraska, awaiting the arrival of members of the Oto
and Missouri Tribes, with whom they would hold council. On August 3, 1804 the
famous meeting took place on the site Lewis and Clark would later refer to as
“Council Bluff.” This meeting was extremely important, resulting in the
Native Americans’ decision that the two white men and their group could be
trusted, therefore sending advance word to tribes along their route, assuring
the success of the expedition. We’ll learn and experience the significance of
these famous explorers and their history-making trip.
It’s been an interesting,
educational day. Our twenty-first century camp awaits our arrival. The Best
Western Redick Plaza in Omaha, Nebraska is located in the
neighborhood of the historic Old Market. Following our Welcome Reception
you may choose to freshen
up, kick back, relax and dine in at The Redick Bar
& Grill, or take a short jaunt to explore Omaha’s historic Old Market. The
district’s brick streets, unique charm and great food would be an excellent
choice also. You may choose to enjoy a carriage ride in this historic setting!
Day 2 Sleep in a bit and enjoy a delicious “cooked to order” breakfast at your leisure before we continue our journey with the legendary explorers through the unmapped territory of the Louisiana Purchase. At the I-Max Theater we’ll view the life-like film, Lewis and Clark: Great Journey West. I’m sure you’ll agree with its rave reviews! Our boxed lunch cruise today will provide not only sustenance for the body but also the brain aboard the River City Star on the Missouri River. This luncheon cruise will attempt, through narration and storytelling, to enfold us in history about The Lewis and Clark Landing and interesting discoveries along this corridor.
A unique opportunity awaits us!
We’ll spend the afternoon at Fort Atkinson State Historical Park,
stepping back in time and experiencing life as it was at an early 19th
century frontier army post. During this special “living history day”
the fort will 
come to life with workers and volunteers playing the roles of fort
personnel, making history come alive for us! You’ll see the blacksmith and
gunsmith set up in their shops, as well as the carpenter and cooper in their
workshops. An Indian agent will probably be in his quarters in the Council
House.
This evening we’ll return to the Lewis and Clark Landing area for dinner on our own at Rick’s Boatyard Café where we can enjoy scenic views of the Missouri River while we eat. We’ll once again have time to relax in Omaha’s Historic Old Market district. Once it’s dark, we’ll take a tour boat ride around one of America’s largest Fountains, located in the middle of a beautiful lake near the Old Market and the Lewis and Clark Landing, to watch the spectacular Fountain Light Show with its 30 foot water jet, before returning to our hotel.
Day
3 After another “cooked to order” breakfast, we’ll have a brief
visit to the Western Historic Trails Center on the banks of the 
Missouri
River in Council Bluffs. The center has exhibits with information about trips
north, following the Lewis and Clark Trail, as well as about trips west
following the routes of early travelers on the Oregon, Mormon, and California
Trails. We’ll then drive to the Lewis and Clark Monument commemorating
the meeting between the explorers and the Indians at Council Bluff. While there,
we’ll also enjoy the beautiful scenic view of the Missouri River Valley below.
Traveling to the Lewis and Clark State Park near Onawa, Iowa, we’ll see
the replica of the Keelboat that the explorers used and enjoy some unique
scenery along a portion of the Loess Hills Scenic Byway.
After an on-own lunch we’ll head homeward, fully appreciative of how easy our route is compared to that of Lewis and Clark. We’ll stop en route for an on-own supper.
Boarding Points/Departure Times:
Mankato
5:45am/5:50am, Amboy 6:20am/6:30am,
Winnebago 6:40am/6:45am, Blue Earth 6:55am/7:05am,
Fairmont 7:25am/7:30am, Jackson 8:00am/8:10am
Cost: Quad
$189 Triple $199
Double $219 Single $28
Deadline: June 30, 2004
Lewis
& Clark Reservation Form
Saturday –
Monday, July 31, August 1&2, 2004
Cost:
Quad $189, Triple $199, Double $219, Single $289
Deadline: June 30, 2004 Walking
Ability: 3
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Please
make Reservations and Payment to your Local CE Office or Travel Club.
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(we) have read and accept the policies of Pioneer Travel & Tour, Inc.
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