The Gaddis Family reunion theme this year is Survivor (after the TV show), I don’t know what games or tests of skill we have planned but each family member is ask to bring a luxury item to aid them in the contest. It was fitting that the same weekend that I was trying to decide which item would serve me best for an unknown challenge would also be the anniversary of the beginning of the Lewis and Clark expedition, May 14th 1804.
With $2500 Lewis amassed almost two tons of equipment, supplies, and items for trading. Guns, ammunition, medical supplies, scientific instruments, telescope, emergency food, clothing, camping supplies, items the native Indian population might value, and a library containing, reference guides for botany, minerals, and navigation and a four volume dictionary.
They were equipping themselves for any challenge they could think of whether it was bargaining with the natives, finding their way in the wilderness, identifying poison oak, or writing a letter back asking for more money. Lewis and Clark had the tools. Prior to the expedition Lewis spent time studying the appropriate sciences so that he would also be prepared mentally. Lewis studied astronomy, biology, botany, mapping, medicine, and navigation.
The corps faced challenges: rowing upstream, crossing mountains, portaging supplies and canoes around massive waterfalls, grizzly bears, hunger, sickness, snakes, heat and cold. What was the biggest challenge they faced? People issues I bet.
Lewis and Clark encountered at least 55 different native cultural groups during their trek. These encounters resulted in threats, fights, and the killing of at least two Indians. But they also built friendships with, gained aid from, and married into, these Indian tribes. Even their own troop was not without issues, discontent and argumentative at times. It is not that way for us today, people issues dominate our daily troubles, and provide us with our greatest happiness.
When preparing for this trip it was Lewis who chose an old friend and fellow soldier to share the journey, a trusted companion to whom he would turn to for aid, a man who would share in his struggles. It was this pair that was able to conquer even the most difficult challenges.
William Clark has been quoted as saying “If it’s a long ride I enjoy just watching the people”
I think I would like to take a lesson from Lewis and Clark and choose for my luxury item a telescope and a good friend so we can watch and laugh from a distance. Trouble is I’d be watching the fun by myself, for my best friends will be in that Gaddis crowd.
David
Wonder if when they returned Lewis and Clark came back with more stuff than they took?
