Buffalo!

Our first stop today was the Lewis & Clark State Park near Onawa IA.

John has to admit the air gun was his second most favorite L&C object. This is the first. He and Doc got to go aboard this exact replica of the keel boat, and this one is in the water ready to go.

Doc was ready to take his first bow lookout watch.

On the way to the Sergent Floyd monument we spotted our first buffalo on the Winnebago Indian reservation. This tribe was removed from Wisconsin to barren land in the Dakotas. They moved  themselves down the Missouri River and bought land from the Omaha Indians for their final residence.

Sergeant Charles Floyd, one of only three sergeants in the Corps, was the only member to die on the expedition. He became very ill in the vicinity of present day Council Bluffs. Clark wrote; "We attempt to relieve him without success as yet."  Modern doctors believe Floyd had an infected appendix, which no doctor of the time could have cured. On the morning of August 20, 1804, the party prepared a warm bed for him, but Floyd said to Clark "I'm going away I want you to write a letter." and then expired.

 They took his body to the top of a high hill, with a grand view and buried him with full military honors. His grave marker washed into the river at one time, and several markers have been used, but the present 100 foot high obelisk is a fitting monument to the only man the Corps lost in the entire voyage.

 Lewis and Clark made a foray inland to see Spirit Mound which the indians claimed was inhabited with by little spirit beings. they were said to be in human form about 18" high and they kill anyone attempteing to climb the hill with their arrows. The Captains saw no such creatures, but were presented with a magnificant view plains around them.

We are presently in Yankton South Dakota, and expect to overnight tomorrow in Chamberlain SD. Gail is very excited about this stop because we will visit the St Josephs Indian School, which she has supported for many years.