"If you love history and like being in the places of history then you'll love doing this tour," states Al LePage, NCTA executive director. "You see, this is the river that Lewis paddled when he was out scouting for a place to build the fort. Next, it’s the river the whole expedition paddled up to build the fort. It's also the river the men paddled to sometimes go out hunting during their stay there. It's part of the route used by Clark when he headed off with all the way to Cannon Beach in quest of the whale washed ashore near Ecola Creek. Of course, it's also very probable that the Indians who visited the fort paddled their fine canoes along this river also. Finally, it’s the river the expedition paddled down when they left the fort to head back to St Louis. How's that for history?"

These tours will focus on the Lewis & Clark River near Fort Clatsop along both natural areas and places where human impacts have made their mark on the landscape. Brief interpretive presentations developed by the staff of Fort Clatsop National Memorial for this event will focus on the expedition, local plants and animals and Chinook tribal culture. There are opportunities to see wildlife, especially waterfowl and birds, and different kinds of aquatic plant life along its shores. The river here travels along marshy areas and the water is quite calm since it is relatively protected from the winds that can blow across Young's Bay.

"Even though the ripples from the oars of Lewis & Clark are literally history," notes Al LePage, "the river next to Fort Clatsop still flows into Young's Bay. Just think, if you cross over from one side of the river to the other just below Fort Clatsop your water trail at some point has to cross a pathway paddled by Lewis or Clark whenever they arrived or departed from Fort Clatsop. In other words, at some point you'd be exactly in the same spot they were! Now, how can you pass up an opportunity like that?"

Skamokawa Center, located in Skamokawa, Washington generally provides tours along the Columbia River Estuary from their home location, and also offers kayak, canoe and bicycle rentals, paddling clinics and custom-designed programs for schools, colleges, businesses and other groups. Facilities include a 2000 square foot low freeboard dock built for kayaking and canoeing, Skamokawa Inn (a bed & breakfast), Skamokawa Meeting House (a small conference and social center), Shoreline Suites (accommodations for families or groups), a general store and a café -- all in a beautiful setting along the Columbia River.

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The National Coast Trail Association (NCTA) initiated and coordinated the events comprising "Rediscover Lewis and Clark at the Pacific!" and is responsible for publicity and media outreach. The NCTA is a non-profit organization working to "Keep The Coast For Everyone" through recreational trails, public access, and the preservation of historic and natural environments. Its vision is to establish a National Coast Trail as a connected land and water trail system around the borders of the entire United States. Its current goal is the establishment of a West Coast Trail system linking together the officially state-recognized long-distance coastal trails in Oregon, Washington, and California. Its program involves trail development, education, and conservation. For further information contact the National Coast Trail Association, 5124 N.E. 34th Avenue, Portland, OR 97211 - http://www.coasttrails.org - (503) 335-3876.

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ATTENTION NEWSPAPERS:
HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOS OF KAYAK TOURING ALONG WITH SKAMOKAWA CENTER AND UPPER SECTION OF THE LEWIS & CLARK RIVER.

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Photo courtesy of Skamokawa Center          Photo: National Coast Trail Associaiton
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NOTE TO THE MEDIA: An extensive on-line media-kit with a detailed calendar of events, other press releases, high-resolution print quality photos for newspapers, event posters, relevant links to other websites and other useful information can easily and quickly be accessed. Visit www.coasttrails.org and simply click on "Rediscover Lewis & Clark" and "Media Kit."

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