54th National Square Dance Convention®
In 2005, All Trails Lead To Oregon!
|
June 22-25, 2005 Site map 
Chairmen General Chair Asst Gen Chair Business Education Program Publicity Registration Services Special Events Computer Coord Other links Denver 2004 San Antonio 2006 Charlotte 2007 Wichita 2008 Versions WebKit 0.8 Webware 0.8 Python 2.3.3 PostgreSQL 7.1.0 |
Lewis & Clark RV Caravan
Notes From The Trail
On June 4, a caravan of recreational vehicles left East St Louis, Missouri, on a 21 day, 2,600 mile adventure following the Lewis & Clark Trail, ending up finally at the outlet of the Columbia River into the Pacific Ocean at Astoria, Oregon. It is a testament to the ease of modern travel that we will cover in three weeks a trip that took the Corps of Discovery nearly 18 months.
Several of the caravan members have agreed to send reports back so we may follow their progress and enjoy the wonders of western America with them. On this page, we will share those reports with you. Click any of the small pictures to see a larger version.
Here are Merlin & Dolly Yarnell, the leaders of the intrepid band of
explorers making this trek:
You can read more about the caravan itself here.
Monday, May 30
Rigs started to pull into the Casino Queen RV Park. By June 2, we had 49
rigs signed in. Prior to rally day, they spent their time sightseeing.
Thursday, June 2
This was our kick-off dance and dinner. It was well attended with 10
plus squares. Everyone had a great time.
Friday, June 3
We had our rally meeting and we went over the trip log. After that we
had a social time so everyone could get acquainted.
Saturday, June 4
We departed East St. Louis, IL for our next stop in Oak Grove, MO. Each
rig chose their own time to stop and sight-see, arriving in Oak Grove in
time for the dinner and dance. The dinner was attended by 87 from the
caravan. It was a super dance with 191 dancers in attendance.
Sunday, June 5
This was a day for relaxing or sight-seeing. We had a social time at
8:00 PM with games, conversation, and just getting to know each other.
Monday, June 6
51 rigs departed the Oak Grove KOA and headed north to Missouri Valley,
the next stop. Some stopped at the Pony Express National Memorial in
St. Joseph, and other museums along the way. Others took the scenic
river route. The Circle 8 square dance club provided a dinner at 6:00 PM
in the park. At 7:30 PM, we headed to a square dance at the Rand Hall.
There were 171 dancers. It was a great dance.
Tuesday, June 7
53 rigs left Missouri Valley for a day of sight-seeing to arrive by evening
in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. The group carpooled to the great Sioux
Falls Park and enjoyed the laser light show of the falls.
Wednesday, June 8
54 rigs departed Sioux Falls, SD, for another day of sight seeing. Some have
left the caravan to head to Mt. Rushmore and will rejoin in Billings.
Others stopped at Mitchell, SD, to visit the corn palace, while others
chose to take the scenic route along the Missouri River from Chamberlain to
Pierre, SD. After arriving in Onida, SD, our evening activities included a
hobo stew dinner and dancing.
Thursday, June 9
Before departing the fairgrounds, the fair board feed us biscuits and gravy.
We all arrived in Bismarck, ND, in time for a dinner and dance sponsered
by the Belles' N' Beaux square dance club.
It was an awesome dinner and dance with 124 dancers attending.
Friday, June 10
The wagonmaster with some help did a
pancake breakfast before we sent our group out for a day on their own. We
met again at 7:00pm for a brief meeting and carpool to our Lewis & Clark
Riverboat sunset cruise.
Saturday, June 11
The caravan departed Bismarck on a 276
mile trek to Miles City. Several of the group stopped overnight in Madora
to attend the pitchfork fondue and
musical. They then rejoined the caravan in Billings. That evening the
Prairie Stars and their caller Lynn Strobel held an excellent dance with 10
plus squares.
Sunday, June 12
On the road again for another day of sight seeing. Several headed for
Harden and the Little Bighorn
Battlefield. Others stopped at Pompey's Pillar. All arrived in Billings
in time for the dinner and dance sponsored by the Yellowstone Square
Dance Council. It was a great dance with 13 plus squares.
Monday, June 13
We left Billings and headed to Butte.
Some headed for Yellowstone and others for Great Falls. This was a casual day
with no activities planned.
Tuesday, June 14
This day was a day of rest. We could do anything we wished until evening
when the Silver Beaus & Bells sponsored a dinner and dance. 125 dancers
enjoyed the squares and rounds. For a small club of only 5 couples, they put
on a wonderful pastie dinner and dance.
Wednesday, June 15
We headed for Lolo. Some took the scenic route to the Big Hole Battlefield,
while others chose to travel the interstate. We all arrived at the Lolo Square
Dance Center for an evening of dancing. What
a dance we had with 17 plus squares.
The campground and dance hall were excellent.
Thursday, June 16
Off again this time to Lewiston. The
drive from Lolo to Lewiston was very scenic with lots of historical markers.
After ariving we attended a dance with the Twin City Twirlers at
their square dance hall in Clarkston, WA. There were 136 dancers.
Friday, June 17
Several of the group took the jet boats up Hells Canyon on the Snake River. We
saw big horn sheep, deer, geese, and osprey. It was a great trip with breakfast
and lunch provided. In the evening we held a
casual dance at the campground so everyone could dance in Idaho.
Saturday, June 18
We're headed for The Dalles, OR. only
250 miles today. We started at the Snake River and ended on the Columbia River.
We drove mostly through farm land. That evening the Swap & Swing club held a
great dinner and dance with 126 dancers in attendance.
Sunday, June 19
Off to our 3 day encampment at Astoria, OR.. While there we visited
Ft. Clatsop, Ft. Stevens, Ft. Canby,
Astoria column and the Maritime Museum. Some rode the waterfront trolley, while
others found the winery.
Monday, June 20
Our breakfast was provided by the
Hayshakers. Everyone was schedualed for a tour of Ft. Clatsop after which they
could ride the bus to Cannon Beach, Seaside, Astoria or Long Beach. In the
evening, we enjoyed a potluck dinner and casual dance.
Tuesday, June 21
Another day of sight seeing or relaxing. In the evening we had dinner provided
by the Hayshakers and a great dance with 14 squares. The caravaners presented
Merlin & Dolly, the wagonmasters, with a lovely hand
quilted pillow signed by all and a Lewis & Clark trail throw for their RV.
Wednesday, June 22
After a continental breakfast we all headed our own way. Some to the convention
campground, others to RV Parks in the Portland area. Those of us going in on
Hwy 26 stopped at Camp 18 for a cinnamon roll.
< -- More to come! -- >