Why the Missouri River?

So why the Missouri River and this trip in particular? There are three equally key reasons for this adventure . . . 

Doc and Birdie

• Canoeing the Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument has been a "bucket list" adventure that my late husband and I talked about doing for many years, and one I found myself wanting to follow through on knowing we would still be "doing it together." Rick was passionate about Montana and enamored by wilderness and the of explorers like Lewis and Clark.

By way of the Missouri River Lewis and Clark entered what is now Montana on April 27, 1805, having been sent by President Thomas Jefferson (1804) to scout and map the new U.S. territory known as the Louisiana Purchase and to explore the western half of the continent in search of the fabled northwest passage to the Pacific Ocean. 

• I love food and unique culinary experiences. Besides, this trip promised we would "paddle to a new culinary port at the end of each day" with afternoon lectures and daily cooking demonstrations on the featured cuisine of the day featuring menus inspired by North Africa, Italy and the Aegean. 
  
• I would be sharing this experience with dear friends Birdie and Doc.

After spending most of yesterday judiciously packing gear and running last minute errands, we head to The Keep restaurant at the Highlands Golf Course. For a light and delicious meal, I ordered Poke — sashimi-grade ahi tuna marinated in soy and ginger and avocado — which was served in a tall parfait glass. Our first stop today is a hearty breakfast of poached eggs, sausage and rye toast at 
     The drive to Fort Benton — our meeting place for this expedition — takes several hours. By early afternoon, I had my first sighting of the Missouri River just north of Fort Benton. Then on to the Grand Union Hotel and brief exploration of the town including one of its historical museums. Fabulous dinner at the hotel ending just as raindrops began falling . . . oh, boy!