Discovery Expedition of St Charles
Bicentennial Narratives and Photologs
(2003-2006)

Read DESC Journals

The Discovery Expedition of St. Charles, Missouri, is a group of over 250 dedicated amateurs who have followed the path of the Lewis and Clark Expedition across the continent during the bicentennial years of 2003-2006. They have re-enacted every part of their journey, going out and coming back, keeping true to the dates of the original expedition as much as possible, while entertaining and educating hundreds of communities along the way. It has been a massive undertaking, requiring coordination and cooperation between both the volunteers who traveled the trail and the communities who hosted them. It was also a once in a lifetime adventure. Many members kept journals and took photos, which are presented on the DESC website, www.lewisandclark.net.

Members (who live in many different communities around America) traveled to join the Discovery Expedition along the route, as their schedules and finances permitted. Many are retired; some took vacation time from work. Their wives and other family members came along. They wore authentic gear, slept in army tents, followed military drills, and raised the US flag of 1803-06 across America. Participants included Peyton (“Bud”) Clark, great-great-great grandson of William Clark and other descendants of the Lewis and Clark Expedition. (Photos courtesy of Betty Kluesner, Discovery Expedition of St Charles)