Lewis and Clark

Just finished reading Stephen Ambrose's Undaunted Courage. It is an excellent book on the Lewis and Clark expedition into the American West. It was Thomas Jefferson's dream and reality that Lewis got to man an official governmental sojourn into the unexplored territory that would later become American, and at the time the new Louisiana Purchase. The bravery and smarts these men had to possess to survive, let alone successfully launch a scientific (botany, geology, zoology)expedition is astounding. I enjoyed the beautiful friendship that Meriwhether Lewis shared with William. It was the kind of friendship that always respects and trusts. Those two sometimes would not have to speak to know exactly what eachother was thinking, which was very necessary when they would split up on the expedition out of necessity to later reunite. Back then, everyone was excited and wanted to know what was found. They were treated like Kings upon return. However, some Federalists criticized the expedition and it later even resulted in some of the government drafts that were necessary after Lewis was appointed Governor of Louisiana being rejected (putting Lewis in what we would now know as bankrupty but not available then) which resulted in much heartache and a sad end to the expedition's story when Lewis shot himself twice in a suicide. The expedition has to be one of the greatest stories of mankind ever. Hard to imagine life in a time when the world was unexplored. Americans owe much to Lewis and Clark. These brave men gave everything in the name of country. We should honor them with a holiday. Americans need more risk taking spirit. We need to do everything we can to make the world a better place, this requires great courage. Hats off to Lewis and Clark.