Thursday, June 23, 2011

J is for Journey

"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step"
~Lao-tzu

We live on the very northern coast of Oregon, at the mouth of the Columbia River.  At this spot in 1806, the Lewis and Clark Expedition ended their long journey and spent a long rainy winter in the fort they built to weather those 106 days of rain.  When the party had reached the mouth of the Columbia, William Clark wrote in his journal, "Ocian in view! O! The joy!"   I can only imagine the relief and joy they felt at the end of this part of their long journey, to have finally found what they had been in search of for so long. 

Take a peek at Fort Clatsop, a reproduction of the original fort, rebuilt on the spot where the expedition members wintered. Come along now, it's not raining today!




~May all of your journeys end with some kind of joy~

For more Alphabe-Thursday takes on the letter "J", head over to Jenny's Off on My Tangent.








14 comments:

Trish said...

Between this post and the last can certainly see why people want to live in Oregan. Can't wait to come again!

Dazee Dreamer said...

I love the pictures. And Oregon is soooo pretty

Rocky Mountain Woman said...

I'm just finishing my journey through Oregon! I love the Columbia River Valley....

You live in one of my very favorite places on the planet!!!!

Judie said...

Wonderful pictures! Oregon is such a lovely state. Good post!!!!

Jeni said...

Just the last photo alone -so awesome -makes it easy to see why the comment of O! The joy! would have been made! Beautiful, Paula. Got more from this Fort to share? I hope so!

Solitary Abyss said...

I like this post mom. J is for JOY at the end of their Journey

Terri said...

Someday, I am going to have to come out your way. Do you know, I've never been to Oregon or Washington state? I really need to do something about that.

When I do, would you like to go out for a cuppa?? My treat!

Unknown said...

I see you had a young explorer with you.
It is so neat to see the places they stayed & think about what they whent through to shape our country.

H said...

Oregan is a place I've only ever heard about in fiction 'The Oregan Trail' type stuff. It looks beautiful! I can see why so many people journeyed so long to reach their promised land!

Adrienne said...

Very cool. I don't know much about their travels ... something to add to my 'one day' list.

Thanks for sharing a bit of joy ;-)

Jenny said...

I'm excited! I've been there! Loved it! Oregon is one of my favorite places to visit in the summer. I haven't gotten there in wayyyy too long, though.

I wish you could see the big grin on my face reading this.

I'm sending the link to my husband as a subtle hint I NEED TO GO NORTH, NORTH, NORTH!

Thanks for linking.

A+

Run Lori Run said...

It felt like we had 106 days of rain this year. :) I just read a book on Lewis and Clark, their journey was really remarkable.

lissa said...

great Lao-Tzu quote. I believe that single can set off all journeys.

have a lovely day.

Adrienne said...

I've always loved visiting the fort. We visited often when we lived in your town. I think it's time that we go back to visit again! I met a man from Astoria when we took a day trip to Crater Lake last week while on vacation. He wanted to sell me his house up on Grand Avenue - I wanted to say yes! Oh, if money and other things were not an issue. I could be your neighbor!
~Adrienne~