My camp was very comfortable but I was still buzzing with all the sugar and chocolate from my half-gallon of Rocky Road ice cream. It took me a while to fall asleep. There was a loud noise not far from my tent shortly before nightfall. I knew beyond a reasonable doubt it was the sound of a wild turkey landing, and regardless, I’ve heard enough mysterious animal noises to know it wasn’t going to be a problem.
The Canadian geese from the nearby river were talking up a storm off and on during the night. It was amazing how loud and talkative they could be.
The next day I walked in the morning quiet listening to the birds. Cardinals are nearly ubiquitous here it seems. I didn’t see another human being until 10 AM.
There have been some magnificent oak trees growing along the Katy Trail and also recently I’ve been seeing some sycamore trees. They don’t grow in Minnesota or any other place that I’ve lived. For the first time on this walk I saw some sugar maples. It reminded me of maple sugaring season back in Minnesota, going on right now, at least in a normal year.
The first bald eagle made an appearance. There are lots of turkey vultures. It’s interesting how much they look like a turkey when they’re on the ground.
I’m paying close attention to how my legs and feet are feeling to prevent overuse injuries early in the hike. Being super stiff every time I get up after a long break is easy to notice but it’s also harmless. Not a blister yet. Today I had a pain in my left shin but it seems to have dissipated. Shinsplints can be a problem under this kind of walking conditions. My feet definitely felt better at the end of the day than they have the last few days.
There was a store maybe 300 yards off the trail. I walked over there and they had a deli. One offer was a 12 inch pizza and you had your choice of at least a dozen toppings. They made it clear you’re welcome to have them all if you want. Needless to say I got all of them. Other than an all-you-can-eat buffet that pizza was a dream come true for a long distance hiker or paddler. I heard a lady standing next to me saying that the ultimate food was fried bologna and Miracle Whip, and I’m sure that would taste great at times, but today I was happy with the pizza. And to go: granola bars, chow mein noodles, pretzels, and a pound of strawberries.
Clark
May the 26th Sattarday 1804. Set out at 7 oClock after a heavy Shour of rain (George Drewyer & John Shields, Sent by Land with the two horses with directions to proceed on one day & hunt the next)
Lewis and Clark Detatchment Orders
Lewis, May 26, 1804
[Lewis and Clark Detatchment Orders] …The Sergt. at the helm, shall steer the boat, and see that the baggage on the quarterdeck is properly arranged and stowed away in the most advantageous manner; to see that no cooking utensels or loos lumber of any kind is left on the deck to obstruct the passage between the burths—he will also attend to the compas when necessary. The Sergt at the center will command the guard, manage the sails, see that the men at the oars do their duty; that they come on board at a proper season in the morning, and that the boat gets under way in due time; he will keep a good lookout for the mouths of all rivers, creeks, Islands and other remarkable places and shall immediately report the same to the commanding officers; he will attend to the issues of sperituous liquors; he shall regulate the halting of the batteaux…he will (acompanied by two his guard) reconnoiter the forrest arround the place of landing to the distance of at least one hundred paces. when we come too for the purpose of encamping at night, the Sergt. of the guard shall post two centinels immediately on our landing; one of whom shal be posted near the boat, and the other at a convenient distance in rear of the encampment; at night the Sergt. must be always present with his guard, and he is positively forbidden to suffer any man of his guard to absent himself on any pretext whatever; he will at each relief through the night, accompanyed by the two men last off their posts, reconnoiter in every direction around the camp to the distance of at least one hundred and fifty paces, and also examine the situation of the boat and perogues, and see that they ly safe and free from the bank It shall be the duty of the sergt. at the bow, to keep a good look out for all danger which may approach, either of the enimy, or obstructions which may present themselves to passage of the boat…he will also report to the commanding officers through the Sergt. at the center all perogues boats canoes or other craft which he may discover in the river, and all hunting camps or parties of Indians in view of which we may pass. he will at all times be provided with a seting pole and assist the bowsman in poling and managing the bow of the boat...
Meriwether Lewis Capt.
Wm. Clark Cpt.
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