November 1805
They paddled down the Clearwater and Snake Rivers to the Columbia River. In November 1805, they finally saw the Pacific. They built Fort Clatsop, and spent the cold, rainy, winter updating their journals, exchanging Clark as a doctor in return for food or directions with Native Americans, and preparing for the long journey home.
"Ocian in view! O! the Joy" This great Pacific Octean which we been So long anxious to See. and the roreing or noise made by the waves brakeing on the rockey Shores (as I Suppose) may be heard distictly.” -Meriwether Lewis and William Clark |