Podcast 18 - Stop 14 - Missoula, MT

Days 31 and 32 bring our expedition to Missoula, Montana, a crucial resting point for the original Corps of Discovery. It was just outside of present-day Missoula that the explorers established Travelers' Rest, a camp they utilized both before their treacherous, near-starving trek across the Bitterroot Mountains in the fall of 1805, and again on their return journey in the summer of 1806. Remarkably, thanks to the discovery of their mercury-laden latrines, this is the only Lewis and Clark campsite that has been archaeologically verified.During this two-day stop, the tour blends this profound expedition history with the vibrant culture and natural beauty of the modern-day Missoula area. Highlights for this leg of the journey include:Travelers' Rest State Park: An included visit to explore the very grounds where the expedition camped, which also features a rich history of the Indigenous Salish people who utilized the site long before the explorers arrived.Holt Heritage Museum: An optional excursion allowing guests to dive deeper into regional Western heritage.Extensive Free-Time Explorations: Travelers have a massive array of optional activities to choose from while basecamped here. Guests can step back in time at the beautifully preserved Garnet Ghost Town or the Moon-Randolph Homestead, explore the Historical Museum at Fort Missoula and the Museum of Mountain Flying, or take in the local wildlife and ecology at the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation and the Montana Natural History Center.