6-17-2023 Bismarck, ND

In 1872, a little settlement called Missouri Crossing was established on the Missouri River to honor Lewis and Clark who crossed the river here in 1804.  Later, the little town got a name change to Edwinton, named after Edwin Johnson who was a prominent railroad engineer and a big proponent of a transcontinental railroad.  The settlers were struggling to establish successful railroad shipping lanes because funding was an issue.  Less than a year later, they changed the name to Bismarck.  Why?  Well, it was to honor current “Iron Chancellor” Prince Baron Otto Eduard Leopold Von Bismarck-Shoenhausen who established the German Empire and became its first chancellor.  (He is famously quoted as saying, “Just call me Otto.”)  The townsfolk sent the news and maps of Bismarck to Europe to impress the foreigners in the hope that it would attract German immigrants as well as Otto’s donation to the railroad endeavor.  Otto was flattered and sent a really nice note back saying, “Danke schoen,” but no deutschmarks were enclosed.  Nevertheless, the town retained the name Bismarck and slowly but surely the railroads were fully developed and transportation and shipping became their stock in trade. 

 

Discovery of gold in the Black Hills accelerated growth and thousands of miners and prospectors flocked to the area.  And that’s another story.  The Dakotas were established as Indian Territory by the US government.  That is, until gold was found.  Then, all bets were off and the government reneged on the deal and took the land back.  The Indians were pissed about that and to some degree, they still are.  (It didn’t help matters when, in 1927, Gutzon Borglum carved the likeness of four white guys into their sacred mountains.  But I digress.) 

 

This is a craft in which the Indians traveled, 
made of buffalo hide and willow.

Pirogue catamaran as those used
by Meriwether and William.

The Missouri River was a major shipping and trading lane for furs, supplies and travelers.  The Indians traveled the river in round craft made of buffalo hides and willows, European immigrants traveled by canoe and pirogues (craft carved and hollowed from a single tree trunk).  Lewis and Clark used pirogues and keelboats.  The first steamboat arrived in 1831.  With the discovery of gold, the railroads really took off.  Otto’s checkbook was no longer necessary, anyhow.  In 1883, Bismarck was named the capital of the Dakota Territory and then the capital of the US state of North Dakota in 1889.

 

Riverboat Lewis and Clark

In 1945, the Oahe Dam was built to the south on the Missouri and in 1947, the Garrison Dam was built to the north.  These dams changed the face of the river completely from an artery of commerce to lakes for recreation and leisure.  That’s where we come in.  It finally stopped raining on our third day in Bismarck and Rob found a riverboat ride for us.  It took us up and down the river as far as it could travel before sandbars made it too shallow to continue.  Captain Damon was very busy navigating the riverboat with a 5 foot draft through water 6 feet deep.  Even still, his depth of experience and skill allowed him a few minutes to horse around with us.  It was a glorious day on the river in some greatly appreciated sunshine, at last.

Rob having fun on the riverboat.

Sunshine at last!

Captain Damon and Lindy, the boat driver

Captain Damon

 The Huckleberry House sits on the hill overlooking the riverboat dock and what to our wondering eyes should appear on the menu?  Walleye!  Our fourth delightful walleye dinner, this one on the outdoor deck in the sunshine.  God thinks I’ve been a good girl, apparently.

Huckleberry House

 

Now, we continue east to Detroit Lakes, MN where we hope to get in some paddleboarding and maybe a few more local brews on the outdoor deck of a saloon somewhere. 

 

Hydrofoil paddleboard.  
Do I need one of these or what?!