Lewiston Sites

Yesterday was spent around Lewiston visiting some of the Lewis and Clark commemoration sites.  First stop was going to Hells Gate State Park four miles south on the Snake River.  This is an interpretive center that explained the Idaho portion of the duo's trip across America.  It is also dedicated to the Nez Perce Indians that lived in the area and befriended Lewis and Clark and aided them in continuing their journey to the Pacific Ocean.  Did not learn anything new, however, if someone visiting this Center did not know much about Lewis and Clark, this place would be very enlightening.

From internet - wave being built

Next, in downtown Lewiston, many sculptures and artwork and murals adorn the town.  Paintings depicting Lewis and Clark's journey, Indians, horses, etc. - pretty cool.  Dave caught a glimpse the other day of a weird canoe sculpture that sits in the levee pond of the Snake River but parking was not available.  I drove us around and around looking for a spot to stop - but oh well.  Found out that this sculpture is one year old, the artist has done many around the country of 'wave' things. This wave is 30 feet tall, comes out of the water.  There is also a bouquet of canoes around a fountain within this pond not far from this sculpture.  Neat.

Display of artifacts in Center

Gave up trying to stop to get closer to the wave canoe so drove east to Spaulding, Idaho, where the Nez Perce National Historic Park is located.  This is run by the National Park Service but it is on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation.  The ranger we spoke to when we first arrived was a beautiful young Nez Perce woman who told us her grandmother used to live in Spaulding and that her grandmother attended the church which was located on the Center's ground.  Spaulding is known for the first church, school, and settlement of Idaho.  An Episcopalian Minister (Spaulding) converted many Indians.  Strife eventually ended the settlement. The Center was very well done - was quite impressed with the collection of artifacts in their exhibit area.  Even was astounded to the Ohio connection - seems Rev. Spaulding sent some Indian artifacts to a Dr. Allen in Kinsman, Ohio who then donated them to Oberlin College, and then they sent them on to the Ohio Historical Society in Columbus.  It took over 130 years for these artifacts to be returned back to the Nez Perce and the Center. Chief Joseph's peace pipe that was given as a gift to a General and also his rifle and some clothing were on display in the Center.

Looking down on Idaho and Washington

Last, drove up on Spiral Road, a very deep grade of US route 95 north out of Lewiston that takes you to the top of the mountain and on a clear day you can see Oregon, Washington, and Idaho from this vantage point.  Needless to say - we were 'up there'! Glad we are not traveling 95 up this mountain on our next trip - very very steep!!!!

This has been fun being at the marina RV campground.  We have front row seats to the coming and goings on.  Very peaceful here - watching the boaters move around the river and seeing the barges move along.  This morning we are treated to seeing a smaller barge tied up on the other side of the Snake - across the river from us.