Traveling north we visit the new Interpretive Center in Sioux City, Iowa, and then Heritage Park in Elk Point, South Dakota. This is where the Corps of Discovery elected Sergeant Patrick Gass to replace the late Charles Floyd.

Near Vermillion, South Dakota we visit Spirit Mound, the little hill known by the Sioux as Paha Wakan. Long before white men came to what is now South Dakota, Spirit Mound was feared by tribes for miles around. The Sioux Indians believed that dangerous spirits came from the top of the mound and killed any human who came near. When Lewis and Clark explored this elevated place, they gazed out over the vast grasslands and saw the huge herds of bison that once roamed there. They also noted the abundance of insects near the top, which attracted great flocks of swallows, and the Captains speculated that it was the birds that gave the mound its air of mystery.

Just a short distance from what is now Yankton, South Dakota, near the mouth of the James River, 18-year old George Shannon, the youngest member of the Expedition, set out to find a lost horse and became lost himself. Not realizing that the Corps was still behind him, Shannon mistakenly traveled up-river hoping to locate them. The Expedition finally caught up with Shannon, finding him 60 miles upstream, hungry and exhausted.

At Riverside Park in Yankton, which was the first Capitol of the Dakota Territories, we see a replica of the capitol building. We then cross the Missouri River, via the Meridian Bridge, into Nebraska to Gavins Point Dam and Calumet Bluffs. Here the friendly Yankton Sioux met Lewis and Clark. Oral history informs us while Lewis and Clark convened with the Yankton Sioux Tribe on Calumet Bluff, a male child was born in one of the lodges. Learning of this birth Captain Lewis sent for the child and wrapped him in an American flag. Lewis proceeded with a speech in which he prophesied that the boy would live to become eminent among his people and a great friend of the white men. His prophecy came true, for the boy grew up to be the famous Struck By The Ree, Chief of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. The Gavins Point Dam Visitor's center provides spectacular views of the Lewis and Clark Lake to the west and the Missouri River to the east. While in Yankton, our hometown, we treat you to a special dinner at one of our great restaurants. We hope you enjoy your stay in Yankton! B, D

Day 3 - June 20: Yankton - Ft. Pierre, South Dakota
Leaving the Yankton area we travel along the Missouri River with views almost the same as the Corps would have seen. Where the village of Greenwood once existed, we see the Yankton Sioux Treaty Monument. Continuing into Marty, South Dakota we visit St. Paul's Church, where each of its stained glass windows depicts a Native American within the religious scene. We then travel over Fort Randall Dam to visit the historic Fort Randall Army Post, which was active from 1856-1892. On the grounds are the remains of a chapel built by the soldiers. A scale model of Fort Randall can be seen at the overlook with photos and memorabilia. We continue traveling along the Missouri River to Chamberlain where we enjoy lunch at Al's Oasis, a traditional South Dakota stop.

Leaving Chamberlain, we enter Fort Thompson Indian Reservation and soon cross over Big Bend Dam. Our next point of interest is La Framboise Island at Fort Pierre, also called Bad Humored Island. Here the Corps of Discovery had its first really hazardous and potentially violent encounter with the Teton Indians on September 24, 1804. The arrogance of the Teton Sioux, complicated by a poor interpreter, prompted both sides to draw arms. Serious consequences were averted thanks to the diplomacy of Chief Black Buffalo.

Our next stop is the Verendrye Monument. In 1743 the French-Canadian explorers, Chevalier and Louis La Verendrye, buried an inscribed lead tablet on a bluff overlooking present-day Fort Pierre, attempting to set claim on the area for France.

Tonight's stay is at a hotel located on the banks of the Missouri in Ft. Pierre, South Dakota. Dinner is on our own tonight. Later this evening we visit the World War II Memorial and the Fighting Stallions Memorial located on the Capitol grounds in Pierre. B, L

Day 4 - June 21: Ft. Pierre, South Dakota - Bismarck, North Dakota
Leaving Ft. Pierre, our route takes us north over the Oahe Dam to the site of Sitting Bull's Grave and the Monument to Sacajawea. It was near present day Mobridge, South Dakota, where the expedition spent several days among the Arikaras, whom they encountered in three separate villages. Our lunch stop will be in Ft. Yates, North Dakota.

Continuing on, we visit Fort Abraham Lincoln with the Custer Exhibit and the adjacent, restored On-A-Slant Indian Village, featuring the fully reconstructed earth lodges, where the Mandan and Hidatsa Indians dwelled. The Custer Exhibit tells the story of General George Armstrong Custer and the 7th Cavalry, before they marched out for the infamous rendezvous with the Sioux and Cheyenne tribes on May 17, 1876. Our stay tonight is in Bismarck, North Dakota. A special treat this evening is our Riverboat dinner cruise on the Missouri River. B, Dinner cruise

Day 5 - June 22: Bismarck - Medora, North Dakota
Our first visit this morning is the Interpretive Center at Washburn followed by a visit to the reconstructed Fort Mandan Winter Camp. The Corps of Discovery camped here from October 1804 to early April 1805. This is where Lewis and Clark employed Charboneau as an interpreter, who was accompanied by his wife, Sacajawea. Her presence helped to persuade many Indian tribes of the peaceful intentions of the expedition. By early April, Lewis and Clark were ready to continue their voyage upriver. From here the expedition traveled in their two pirogues and six new dugout canoes, hewn from cottonwood logs. The keelboat was too large for further navigation of the Missouri River and was sent back to St. Louis with a large quantity of field notes, plant specimens, Indian artifacts, a prairie hen, four magpies, and even a caged prairie dog.

We travel west across the state until we reach Medora. Tonight we enjoy the Medora Musical performed in the outdoor Burning Hills Amphitheatre in the midst of the North Dakota Badlands. The Medora Musical, dedicated to the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt, is a professionally-produced extravaganza featuring a talented cast of singers and dancers from across the US, a live band, nationally known variety acts, live horses on stage, and fireworks. Prior to the musical a Pitchfork Fondue Dinner is served. Savor this unique western meal while you are serenaded with western melodies and a magnificent North Dakota sunset as the backdrop. B, D

Day 6 - June 23: Medora, North Dakota - Ft. Benton, Montana
After a hearty Chuckwagon Buffet Breakfast we leave Medora and enjoy a scenic drive through the Badlands of North Dakota and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. Entering Montana we drive via Glendive, Circle, Jordan, and Lewiston to our final destination today, Ft. Benton, an important Missouri River port in the 1800s. Before dinner we make a short trip to the spot, where, on June 2, 1802, the expedition came to a fork in the river, and after several days of scouting, the Captains were convinced they should take the river leading south. They named the other fork the Marias River. This place is now named Decision Point. In Ft. Benton we see the statues of Lewis, Clark, and Sacajawea with her baby son on the historic levee. Dinner tonight is at the hotel. B, D

Day 7 - June 24: Ft. Benton - Great Falls - Dillon, Montana
Great Falls proved to be the worst obstacle encountered thus far on the expedition's journey. It took them thirty-one days of backbreaking effort in the fierce heat of July to traverse around the five different falls. At the Interpretive Center in Great Falls we enjoy a 30 minute film and have time to view the superb exhibits. Leaving Great Falls we travel south to the Gates of the Rocky Mountains, where the Missouri River rushes between two cliffs. Boarding a comfortable boat, we enjoy a lunch cruise through magnificent scenery that has not changed since the days of Lewis and Clark. We continue our journey to Three Forks, where the Galliton, Madison and Jefferson rivers join, to form the Missouri River. Later we visit Beaver Head Rock, a landmark that Sacajawea recognized from her childhood.

Dillon is our destination tonight, where we've included dinner at The Black Tail Station restaurant, noted for their excellent food. Enjoy! (Time permitting; those who wish may visit Camp Fortunate.) B, L, D

Day 8 - June 25: Dillon, Montana - Yellowstone National Park - Livingston, Montana
Our hotel provides a hot breakfast this morning. We leave Dillon for Yellowstone National Park, which became the world's first national park on March 1, 1872. The park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River and is known for its wildlife and geothermal features. White explorers first entered the region during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in 1805. While passing through present day Montana, members of the expedition were informed of the Yellowstone region to the south, but they did not explore it. Our first visit is to the famous geyser, Old Faithful. This cone-type geyser spews water and steam 90 to 184 feet in the air about every 90 minutes. Traveling around Lake Yellowstone and the majestic Yellowstone Falls and River, we arrive at Mammoth Hot Springs. Mammoth Hot springs are constantly changing. As formations grow, water is forced to flow in different directions. The constant changes in water and mineral deposits create a living sculpture. Proceeding on, we exit the National Park and make our way to Livingston, MT. B

Day 9 - June 26: Livingston, MT - Billings, Montana - Gillette, Wyoming
Leaving Livingston we journey to Billings, Montana and today's first site, Pompey's Pillar. The rock formation is located northeast of Billings. William Clark visited the place in 1806 and inscribed his name on Pompey's Pillar. He wrote in his journal that he climbed the sandstone pillar and "had a most extensive view in every direction on the Northerly Side of the river". Clark named the place "Pompy's Tower" in honor of Sacajawea's little son, nicknamed "Pompy". The name of the formation was changed in 1814 to the current title. The only physical evidence that the expedition actually explored this area is Clark's inscription.

We enter the area of the Battle of the Little Bighorn site, also known as Custer's Last Stand. This battle was the most famous action of the Indian Wars and was a remarkable victory for the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne. General George Armstrong Custer's cavalry detachment was defeated and Custer himself was killed. We travel via Sheridan into Gillette where we stay overnight. B

Day 10 - June 27: Gillette, Wyoming - Deadwood, South Dakota
This morning we depart Gillette, Wyoming and enter South Dakota near Spearfish. Located in the northern portion of the Black Hills National Forest is beautiful Spearfish Canyon. The 20-mile long canyon is densely covered with Ponderosa Pine, spruce, aspen, and birch trees, and is worth the drive at any time of the year. We overnight in Deadwood, a one-of-a-kind Wild West town. During the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood quickly reached a population of 5,000 and became a lawless town. In 1967 the entire city was declared a National Historic Landmark, and in recent years the town's architecture was carefully restored. B

Day 11 - June 28: Deadwood - The Black Hills of South Dakota - Keystone
Today we enjoy the scenic Black Hills of South Dakota. We visit the monumental sculptures, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Crazy Horse Memorial. At first, the project of carving Mount Rushmore was undertaken to increase tourism to the Black Hills and, after long negotiations involving a Congressional delegation and President Calvin Coolidge, the project received Congressional approval. Gutzon Borglund, along with 400 workers, sculpted the colossal monument from October 1927 to October 1941. Today, Mount Rushmore is still controversial among Native Americans. The Crazy Horse Memorial is being constructed to commemorate a famous Native American leader and in response to Mount Rushmore.

Custer State Park spreads over 71,000 acres with spectacular terrain and an abundance of wildlife. The State Park and Wildlife Reserve is home to a free roaming 1,500 head bison herd. Elk, mule deer, white tailed deer, mountain goats, bighorn sheep, pronghorn sheep, and mountain lions also inhabit the park. Enjoy great scenery and wildlife sightings on this scenic drive! B

Day 12 - June 29: Keystone - The Badlands of South Dakota - Sioux Falls
Leaving Keystone this morning we journey through Badlands National Park. The Badlands in southwest South Dakota cover an area of 242,756 acres of magnificently colored sharply eroded buttes, pinnacles and spires that resemble the terrain of a moonscape. The park also contains the largest protected mixed grass prairie in the United States. Dinosaurs roamed here during the Jurassic period of the Mesozoic Era, about 150 million years ago. The park also contains the world's richest Oligocene epoch fossil beds from 35 to 23 million years ago. In comparison, human history in the park dates back 11,000 years. The paleo-Indians used the area as their hunting grounds long before the Lakota and the Arikara people.

We continue our journey across the plains of South Dakota, arriving in Mitchell with its world famous Corn Palace. The original Corn Palace, known as the Corn Belt Exposition, was built in 1892 to showcase the rich soil of South Dakota, encouraging settlers to homestead in this area. The wooden, castle like structure on Mitchell's Main Street was erected in 1904-05 and in 1937 Moorish domes and minarets were added, giving the Palace its distinct appearance. Every year the corn murals are replaced and redesigned, costing approximately $130,000 annually to decorate. This evening we arrive in Sioux Falls, where we stay overnight. B

Day 13 - June 30: Sioux Falls, South Dakota - Depart for your home gateway
After an included breakfast, the hotel's shuttle service takes you to the airport. Have a safe journey home! B

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