Despite the Corps of Discovery expedition members’ meticulous journals, historians often gloss over portions of their journey resulting in puzzles including their specific locations November 10-15, 1805 along the north side of the Columbia . Rex Ziak has been working this puzzle since 1991. In 1997 he was appointed by Washington governor Gary Locke to the scholarly Lewis and Clark Trail Advisory Committee representing Pacific County. After years of patient study of the journals, specific terrain, weather patterns, watersheds and tides, he published his conclusions which led to his 2002 book, In Full View. Ziak was awarded the Washington State David Douglas Award for his research that “revolutionized the way people see the end of the Lewis and Clark trail in Washington for all time.” The resulting focus on this history led to a restructuring of the local National Park system to embrace historic sites on both sides of the Columbia.

In March 1806, Lewis and Clark’s party bid ‘good-bye’ to Fort Clatsop and began their return journey to St. Louis. On this 210th anniversary of the expedition’s departure, Ziak will tell the story of its arrival into the Columbia estuary and show the precise location of three unmarked Lewis and Clark sites including “Dismal Nitch.”  Ziak has lectured around the world, received many prestigious awards, and authored three history books. These books are available at the Lewis & Clark National Park Association bookstore in the Fort Clatsop visitor center.  There will be a book-signing at this bookstore following his presentation.

This monthly Sunday forum is sponsored by the Lewis & Clark National Park Association and the park.  The programs are held in the Netul River Room of Fort Clatsop’s visitor center and are free of charge.