Dear Mr. Jefferson,

The journey was the Corps at its best. The journey was America at its best. It not only gave us the opportunity to explore land we would never have fathomed we would see, it showed the true strife that young America has to make it to the end. But, this journey was not only for America, it was for ourselves.

As we first set sail up the Missouri river, I had absolutely no idea what we were in for, and I certainly found out soon. I promise you, if you think sailing down a river is difficult, you can hardly imagine the grueling, painstaking efforts it took to sail upstream. We would be like to make 20 miles in a day, and it more often less. But, we slowly and steadily continued up, up, and up the river, until we  reached Fort Mandan, where our luck took a turn. Not only was Sacagawea an incredible woman, she was a role model to all girls after her to we can do everything and more. She didn't just follow the Corps of Discovery, she didn't just guide them, she wasn't just a sixteen year old girl, she was with child. And, by all miracles, she made it, too. We made it over the great mountains, through three winters, through incredible hostile indians, through raging rapids, through sickness, and even through death because every single member of the Corps gave 150% all the time. And this is why, and only why, we made it to the ocean and back.

But, as I said, this was also an immense accomplishment for the new American country. And, we couldn't have done it without you, Mr. Jefferson. If it hadn't been for you, I certainly would never seen the Pacific ocean. I know that nothing is for certain, but I have a growing faith in our country that we will expand beyond our wildest dreams, and become a great country. Not to mention, isn't America all about being one: E Pluribus Unum? And we certainly showed that on our great journey.

To conclude, for my weekly labors, discoveries... for all my endeavors have brought this journey. I believe I should be payed the grade of an A.

Signed, Lottie Smith aka Marandah Field-Elliot

A New Form of Communication

I will be tweeting at this address from some on the journal entries: http://twitter.com/lottiesmith1805

The Teton Sioux

Fall 1804,

We had been dreading the day we came in contact with the Teton Sioux. Their reputation was all but kind, and we knew we would have to encounter them. Although everything turned out smoothly in the end, we were on edge during the entire visit. 

I was especially interested in their fashion. I thought that the hand painted over his heart was very unusual, and I wonder what it could mean. Also, his headress what incredible extensive. That is all I could interpret; please tell me what you think his outfit could mean.

Hazelnut-Cornmeal Pancakes

We ate these delicious pancakes 

for breakfast every time we could get ahold of the ingredients. Once again, I hope to make them when I can.

1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts
1 1/2 cups stone-ground cornmeal (see Note)

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons vegetable oil or other fat
Vegetable oil, for frying
Berry syrup, butter, honey, or sugar, for serving

Place the hazelnuts on a baking sheet and place it about 4 inches from preheated oven broiler. Turn off the heat. Leave the nuts in the oven for 2 min

utes, or until they’ve turned golden brown. Remove at once. Set aside.

Combine the cornmeal, baking soda, and salt. Stir in 1 cup of water and 2 tablespoons of oil all at once just until batter is moistened. Let stand at room temperature for about 10 minutes. Stir in the nuts.

Heat a heavy griddle over medium-high heat. Brush with 1 teaspoon oil. Reduce the heat to medium. Pour the batter by the tablespoon onto the hot griddle, cooking 4 to 6 pancakes at a time. Cook until bubbly and drying around the edges, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Turn and cook another 1 to 1 1/2 minutes, or until golden brown. Remove to a warm platter and repeat with remaining batter. Serve immediately with berry syrup, butter, honey, or sugar as desired.

Makes 2 to 2 1/2 dozen 3- to 4-inch pancakes.

Note: For a more tender pancake, replace 1/2 cup of the cornmeal with 1/2 cup whole wheat flour, add 1 egg, and reduce the oil to 1 tablespoon.

Diagnostic Meeting-- Floyd

Late Fall 1804

Today, one of our fellow mates Floyd fell ill, and we need to know 

why so we can treat him with medication. Here are his symptoms and the conversation we had:

vomiting

severe pain

Me: It could be infected meat. It would cause vomiting and lack of h

ydration could lead to onset pain.

Clark: If the meat had been bad, the others

 would have been sick as well. What about small pox? It explains why he would worsen.

Lewis: No, we were constantly around him; we would be sick too. He had to have been stung by a sickly mosquito.

Me: Its possible, but, once again, I believe mosquitos can share illness amongst each other. One of the infected bugs would have stung us. I’ve got it! He must have eaten poisonous berries! He could have grabbed a few while on a hunting trip! 

Clark: Oh dear, we have no medication for poisonous berries. I am afraid there is nothing we can do.

Floyd died an honorable death that evening. We will mourn him every day of our journey. I hope that death does not touch us again on our quest for the west.

Honey-Walnut Bread-- Follow Up

me enjoying the delicious bread in a funny outfit

slicing the bread

the finished product

putting it in the oven

in the process

cleaning up

kneading the bread

Last weekend, I made the honey walnut bread that a woman had baked for Lewis and Clark. It was very labor-intensive! Also, there were parts in which we had to wait for 1-2 hours while it rose. Here are some pictures of the process:

Honey-Black Walnut Bread

March of 1805 ,

While traveling with Lewis and Clark, Lewis purchased flour and hired a woman to bake 90 pounds of bread. It was full of honey and delicious. I hope to make it again this weekend, and will document pictures, but for now, the recipe is as follows:

2 cups boiling water
1/2 cup cracked wheat
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups whole wheat flour
4 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup warm water (120°F)
1/4 cup honey
3 tablespoons melted butter
1/2 cup chopped black or English walnuts

Pour boiling water over the cracked wheat in a small bowl. Let stand for 20 minutes.

Combine 2 cups of the all-purpose flour, the whole wheat flour, yeast, and salt in a large mixer bowl. Stir in the softened cracked wheat with the soaking water, 1/2 cup warm water, honey, and melted butter. Mix on low speed for 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium and mix for 2 to 3 minutes. Using the mixer or stirring by hand, add 1 cup all-purpose flour and walnuts, mixing until smooth.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured board. Add as much remaining all-purpose flour, 1/4 to 1/2 cup, as needed to leave the dough not sticky. Knead for about 5 minutes, or until the dough is smooth to the touch.

Cover with a clean towel and set in a warm place (75° to 80°F) and let the dough rise 50 to 60 minutes, or until doubled in size. Turn the dough out and shape into 2 loaves.

Place in well-greased 8 x 4- or 9 x 5-inch bread pans. Let rise another 45 to 50 minutes, or until doubled. Bake in a 375°F oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until the loaves are lightly browned and sound hollow when thumped.

Makes 2 loaves.