My Montana Summer

Clay Jenkinson reports on his month-long adventure crisscrossing Montana in the long-since-passed footsteps of Lewis and Clark and their Corps of Discovery.
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Though Thomas Jefferson never saw the Missouri River, it (and Mrs. Maria Cosway) held a special fascination for him. (ChatGDP Image by Clay Jenkinson)

Hunting Rivers’ Sources on the Upper Missouri

Thomas Jefferson, Meriwether Lewis, and Clay Jenkinson all share a fascination with the origins of rivers.
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The Quest for the Authentic on the Lewis and Clark Trail

As Clay Jenkinson leads his annual canoe trip through a remote section of the Missouri River, a sudden thunderstorm makes for dramatic challenges
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Meriwether Lewis’ Deadly Encounter

Clay reports on his visit to the remote Montana site where Lewis and Clark had their only fatal encounter with Native Americans on their historic 1804-1806 expedition.
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Aerial view of Clay, Nolan and Brian's

On the Missouri River With Two Rapscallions

When I began to plan for my 2025 retracing of the Lewis and Clark expedition, hauling an Airstream from Jefferson’s Virginia across the country to Astoria, Oregon, I realized I was planning a paradox.
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Clay wrestling with his leaky RV shower. (Image courtesy of Clay and ChatGPT)

My Saga of the Leaky Shower in the Montana Back Country

Thanks to YouTube, persistence, and bloody knuckles, a hot shower gets pretty close to paradise.
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Clay at the Missouri River just east of Great Falls, MT. In the background is Belt Creek, where the Lewis and Clark Expedition began their 18.5-mile, one-month portage around the five falls of the Missouri River in June/July of 1805.

At Great Falls, Montana

I’m spending the 4th of July at the Great Falls of the Missouri River in north-central Montana, where Lewis and Clark visited on the same day in 1805.
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Ryan Dam, one of five hydroelectric dams on the Missouri River in Great Falls, Montana. (Photo Visit Great Falls)

Clay’s “Must See” Stops in Great Falls, Montana

Our Lewis and Clark explorer, Clay Jenkinson, says that Great Falls’ reputation for being one of the less attractive places to visit in Montana is highly unfair. He shares his “must see” stops.
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Undaunted Courage cover

Best Books On the Lewis and Clark Expedition

Clay’s recommendations on the best books on the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
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What Does It Mean to Listen to America?

The art of listening and genuine communication to a thriving democracy.
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