GATES OF THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS

This is going to be my last post about my trip. This was probably the most exciting part.  We took an excursion on a tour boat named Sacajawea.
  The trip was about 2 hours along the Missouri River and through the Gates of the Rocky Mountains.

"Gates of the Rocky Mountains" was named by Lewis and Clark.

Captain Lewis Clark wrote in his journal on July 19, 1805----"this evening we entered much the most remarkable clifts that we have yet seen.  These clifts rise from the water's edge on either side perpendicularly to the height of 1200 ft.----the river appears to have forced its way through this immense body of solid rock for the distance of 5 3/4 miles----I called it the "Gates of the Rocky Mountains"

Here are some pictures of this amazing site. 

The Sacajawea is on the left



The cliffs are Shale and almost impossible to climb.



Gates closed

Gates beginning to open

Gates opening

Years ago I read some of the journals by Lewis and Clark.  Taking this trip peaked my interest again.  I put some books on my Kindle about the Lewis and Clark expedition and also about Sacajawea.  Three of the books were free because they are classics.  I have so much reading to do, I don't know if I will ever catch up.  I also put on a true story called "The Boys in the Boat" sometime back. The story is of the University of Washington 1936 eight-oar crew and their epic quest for an Olympic Gold medal.  The story lies with one rower, Joe Rantz, a teenager from Sequim, WA who was abandoned by his parents when he was 15.  I had to finish the Book Club book of the month and now I am going to read "The Boys in the Boat" before I start the Lewis and Clark journals.