REMEMBERING SACAJAWEA

[HostDave]

We remember her from our history books as children but she has slipped from our day-to-day thoughts as adults. However, her life is an intriguing story and, indirectly, made it possible for our newest addition, the 223-guest American Empress, to begin cruises on the Columbia and Snake rivers in the Pacific Northwest in April of this year. Without their trusted Native American guide Sacajawea, Lewis & Clark might have been lost and perished in the great wilderness that is now the thriving states of Washington, Oregon and Idaho. If memories of the history you learned in grade school are a bit fuzzy, here’s a quick primer: Sacajawea was a Shoshone woman who served as both a guide and an interpreter for the Lewis & Clark Expedition to map and explore the Pacific Northwest and to find, if possible, a water route to the Pacific Ocean. Sacajawea became part of the adventure, joining the group in North Dakota and going as far as Oregon’s coast and back during the period from 1804 to 1806. In fact one of the American Empress’ ports of call on her 9-day voyages on the rivers that Lewis & Clark mapped and chronicled is Sacajawea State Park, WA.

Most of what is known about Sacajawea begins when she joined the expedition, although it appears she was likely born in what is now Idaho. Legend tells us that she was probably part of a number of young girls who were kidnapped in 1800 by a rival tribe and taken to an area that later became North Dakota. Marriages occurred early in life two centuries ago, and by the age of 13 Sacajawea was married to a fur trapper from Quebec. It was not an ideal marriage. She was one of two wives for the Quebecois and love and courtship didn’t enter into the arrangements. Sacajawea and her peer were either purchased or, possibly, the prize for winning a card game.

During the winter of 1805, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark’s grand Corps of Discovery had made it as far as the area near North Dakota and it had become apparent that as they headed into the deep wilderness to the west, a guide and interpreter who knew the land would be essential. They ended up hiring Sacajawea’s fur trapper husband in late 1804 and, naturally, she came along as part of the bargain, though it appears the other wife was left at home. By spring of 1805, the group headed toward the headwaters of the Missouri River and the great trek into the unknown.

Sacajawea immediately proved her worth, recovering essential notes, records and journals from the expedition after a small boat tipped over on a wilderness river. Lewis & Clark were so grateful and impressed that they dubbed the river the Sacajawea River. They trudged westward and by late summer, the Corps of Discovery was in need of more horses but no one except Sacajawea spoke the native language because, it turned out, the expedition had reached the territory of the Shoshone tribe and the chief was Sacajawea’s brother.

After the reunion, Sacajawea was able to obtain not just horses but additional guides that would help Lewis & Clark make a safe passage through the Rocky Mountains, not an easy feat in the early 1800s. Many a pioneer and fur trapper had lost his life attempting to traverse the notoriously dangerous peaks. One rock slide or flash flood in unfamiliar surroundings could spell the end. Despite the professional direction, it was still a difficult endeavor and the explorers were somewhat the worse for wear when they finally emerged on the Pacific side of the mountains. Sacajawea’s knowledge of native plants helped them not only survive, but also replenish their reserves for the continuing trek toward the ocean. When Lewis & Clark found a fur-clad robe that they thought would make an appropriate gift for President Thomas Jefferson, Sacajawea provided the beads to make the purchase.

Lewis & Clark made Sacajawea a full member of the expedition, even giving her a vote in the democratic process used to determine where to spend the winter of 1806. On the way back east, the young guide helped navigate through the Rocky Mountains once again. Unfortunately, Sacajawea did not live a long life after the conclusion of the great adventure; most sources say she died in 1812 at the age of just 24.

Sacajawea’s legacy lives on in myriad ways, one of which is Sacajawea State Park, WA located at the confluence of the Columbia and Snake rivers. The 284-acre park features the Sacajawea Interpretive Center which provides a narrative of the Lewis & Clark expedition through the experiences of Sacajawea and includes her story before, during and after her journey with the intrepid explorers.

More than two centuries later, the trials and tribulations of the Corps of Discovery seem almost like fiction. Gliding along the rivers on the American Empress, the contrast is stark. Sipping a glass of local wine, watching the sun glow of the banks of the Columbia River and sitting down to a dinner of fresh salmon served on fine china amidst the Russian Imperial décor of the American Empress’ dining room is a world removed from the horses and canoes that carried Sacajawea and the wild roots they ate for sustenance during that hard winter of 1805.

The American Empress begins her voyages of discovery on April 5, 2014 with a 9-day voyage from Portland, OR to Clarkston, WA. Ports of call include Astoria, OR; Stevenson, WA; The Dalles, OR and Sacajawea State Park, WA. Throughout 2014, the American Empress will offer these eastbound voyages from Portland alternating with 9-day westbound voyages from Clarkston, WA to Portland, OR.

For a limited time, guests who book early and pay-in-full at time of booking can save up to $400 per stateroom* on any June through October American Empress sailing. Just select the voyage of your choice and book your stateroom before March 31, 2014 to take advantage of this generous offer. Or, if you book early and pay in full at time of booking, you could instead choose to receive a two-category upgrade** on not just any American Empress sailing in 2014 but any departure of the American Queen on the Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee and Cumberland rivers as well.

* Book by March 31, 2014, pay-in-full and save $400 per stateroom ($200 per person) on any 2014 June-October American Empress voyage. Full payment is required at time of booking to redeem this offer. Offer expires on March 31, 2014. This offer cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts; not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations. Savings are only on the price of the cruise, not valid on taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Promotional fares and amenities are capacity controlled, may vary by sailing and category of accommodations and may be withdrawn without notice. Fares quoted are in U.S. dollars, are per person and do not include air or land transportation. Port Charges of $69 to $159 per person are additional and not included in the fare. Additional terms and conditions may apply – call for details (1-888-749-5280)

**Offer expires March 31, 2014 and is valid on new, paid-in-full bookings only. Full payment at time of booking is required to redeem this offer. Estimated savings of up to $3200 ($1600 per person) is based on double occupancy for a standard American Queen 9 day voyage. Offer is not valid on Group bookings or existing reservations and cannot be combined with other offers, promotions or discounts. The free 2 cabin category upgrade means that guests will be placed in cabin(s) that are 2 sequential categories above initial cabin(s) requested at time of reservation. This offer is not valid on cabin upgrades into American Queen categories LS, AAA, SO and SI; and American Empress categories LS and A. This offer is based on cabin availability and only while inventory lasts. Cruise fare does not include taxes, port charges, insurance, gratuities, or airfare. Additional terms and conditions may apply - call for details (1-888-749-5280).