By Matt Sepic, KWMU
St. Louis – A group of historic re-enactors, who for more two years retraced the route of explorers Lewis and Clark, returned to the St. Louis area Thursday.
The Discovery Expedition left Hartford, Ill. in May of 2004, and traveled by boat and horseback to the Pacific Northwest. The crew landed Thursday afternoon in St. Charles, where a large crowd greeted them.
Bud Clark is a descendant of explorer William Clark, and portrayed his ancestor on the journey. Clark said until this trip, he knew very little about the Native American experience.
"I certainly learned that I grew up in pure, unadulterated ignorance in terms of our Native American brothers and sisters, which I think is a common affliction in the Midwest and among many Americans," Clark said.
The expedition will arrive on the St. Louis riverfront Saturday, and events related to the voyage will continue through the weekend.