With Nancy J. Farrier
Looking across the Columbia River from Oregon toward Dismal Nitch, Washington |
Imagine that you have been traveling for months. You are out
of fresh food. The clothes you have with you are falling off your back. You
have a deadline, and if you don’t make the rendezvous you won’t be able to
resupply—or to fulfill your mission.
These conditions are what Meriwether Lewis and William
Clark, along with their Corps of Discovery, experienced in November of 1805.
They were dispatched in 1803 by President Jefferson and had traveled hundreds
of miles through uncharted territory. By late 1805 they were on the lower
Columbia River, on the last leg of their destination to reach the Pacific Ocean,
trying their best to meet the last of the trading ships before the winter
weather became too severe. If they met the ship in time, they could send their
journals and collected items home to the President. They would also have the
chance to resupply using the letter of credit President Jefferson had given
them before they departed. They could charge enough food and clothing to last
them until they could return back east.
Looking across the Columbia River |
What they didn’t count on was the fierce winter storm that
moved in before they could meet the ship. Lashing rains and high winds made
continuing on too precarious. The only place close to them, a steep, forested
area that had a series of coves and nitches, provided meager protection. As the
weather worsened,
they took shelter just upriver from the modern day Dismal Nitch.
Dismal Nitch Rest Area |
That night they were battered by the weather. Soaked and
freezing, the next day they faced thunder, lightning and hail. Clark wrote of
their experience, "As our situation became Seriously dangerous, we took
the advantage of a low tide & moved our Camp around a point a Short
distance to a Small wet bottom at the mouth of a Small Creek (Megler Creek),
which we had observed when we first came to this cove…"
The storm continued to batter the small party. They became
discouraged with their circumstances and the possibility they would find no
relief. Finally, on November 10th, Clark woke to calm weather. He
describes their exodus in this way, "About 3 oClock the wind lulled and
the river became calm, I had the canoes loaded in great haste and Set Out, from
this dismal nitch where we have been confined for 6 days…"
Lewis and Clark, as we know, made it to the Pacific Ocean. Their
journey is documented and they were hailed as some of the greatest of the early
explorers. After they rendezvoused with the ship, only eleven of their men
continued on with them to reach the ocean. Their forced stay at Dismal Nitch
proved too disheartening for many of the party.
Bridge to Dismal Nitch |
Today, there is a 4.1 mile bridge spanning the Columbia
between Astoria, Oregon and the Dismal Nitch Rest Area on the Washington side
of the river. The scenery is beautiful. Many people enjoy bird watching, hiking
or observing the ships that run up and down the Columbia River. The Lewis and
Clark National Park encompasses parts of both sides of the Columbia River.
Bridge Looking to Oregon Side |
The day we came across the Dismal Nitch Rest Area, the
weather was a bit dismal. Cold rain lashed the landscape, but didn’t detract
from the beauty. However, we were in a car, protected from the elements. As I
studied the story of Dismal Nitch, I thought about those men who spent days in
miserable conditions. Their bravery and fortitude in the face of difficulty is
to be commended.
Have you ever been discouraged by a trip going awry? Did you
continue on? I recall a time when our five kids were pretty young and we went
on a vacation only to have one thing after another go wrong. At one point, my
husband and I stepped aside and considered giving up and going back home. We decided
to continue on. I don’t recollect all the discouragements of that trip, but I
do remember some of the delights. I’m very glad we didn’t give up.
Nancy J Farrier is an award winning author who lives in
Southern California in the Mojave Desert. She loves the Southwest with its
interesting historical past. Nancy and her husband have five children and one
grandson. When Nancy isn’t writing, she loves to read, do needlecraft, play
with her cats, and spend time with her family. Nancy is represented by Karen
Ball of The Steve Laube Literary Agency. You can read more about Nancy and her
books on her website: nancyjfarrier.com.
I really enjoy following and reading about these historic trails. I've seen a couple of the Lew and Clark sites but want to see so many more on my next trip to the NW. following the Spanish Trail now through CO, NV, & NM on our current road trip, sharon wileygreen1(at)yahoo(dot)com
ReplyDeleteSharon, this sounds like a wonderful trip. Thanks for sharing.
DeleteLove the name, Dismal Nitch. I've never been to Washington or Oregon. Enjoyed the post, Nancy. I'm so glad I wasn't on the trial with Lewis and Clark. I've been on one too many trips gone awry but at least I was in a car. :)
ReplyDeleteJill, I thought our trip had become a bit dismal until I read about the Lewis and Clark difficulties. Hard to imagine going through all that.
Delete