The Weekday Ramble is a daily dose of sports, music, culture, and more from Rambling On founder Erik Ritland. For more information check us out on Reddit, Twitter, Facebook, or at our website.
Tuesday August 18, 2015
We get historical today with some #FunFacts about those rascally explorers Lewis and Clark.
Pre-game
Though this isn't directly about Lewis and Clark it affected their journey significantly. In fact, without it there may have been no journey at all. Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States $.03 an acre. Why did he sell? “I have given England a rival, who sooner or later, will humble her pride.” Evidently Napoleon was a prophet or something.
The ends
Although the journey of Lewis and Clark was meant to find a waterway from the Mississippi to the Pacific, they had to settle for documenting over 100 new animals and 170 new plants. They also created 140 maps of the areas that they made their way through. Something of a consolation I suppose.
Did I stutter?
Sacajawea famously helped Lewis and Clark navigate the tough lands west of the Mississippi. Members of their crew had trouble pronouncing her name, though, so they called her “Janey.” Close enough I guess.
Nutritious and delicious
As the group made their way through the Bitterroot Mountains of Montana dire circumstances forced them to eat dog meat. Lewis learned to like it. Clark did not.
Good time man
Of all the men on the Lewis and Clark expedition Pierre Cruzatte is my favorite. Little is known of the one-eyed fiddler except two significant facts: he had one eye and could play the fiddle.
Sources
http://www.siue.edu/MLTE/Thematic%20Units/Lewis%20and%20Clark/lewis_and_clark_fun_facts.htm
http://www.historynet.com/lewis-and-clark-expedition
https://rebeccaromney.wordpress.com/2013/05/26/15-bizarre-facts-about-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition/
http://www.fs.usda.gov/bitterroot/
http://www.lewisandclark.com/facts/factsmilmmbr.html
Erik Ritland is a writer and musician from St. Paul, Minnesota. His blog and podcast Rambling On features commentary on music, sports, culture, and more. He was also Lead Staff Writer for Minnesota culture blog Curious North. Support Erik's music via his Patreon account, reach him via email, or find him on Facebook and Twitter.
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