Real-life history lesson

ST. LOUIS — While not as harrowing as Lewis and Clark’s sojourn westward two centuries ago, the river journey by modern-day re-enactors has been anything but smooth sailing on the Missouri River.

One of their three vessels — one sprawling 55 feet in length — have been buffeted by violent storms.

Torrential rains have swelled the river and sped up the current, sending debris downstream like torpedoes that the three 19th century-style boats have so far managed to dodge.

Lightning one night apparently hit one of the group’s two canoelike pirogues, but no one was injured and there was no damage.

“We took a hit and felt a little tingle from it, but it just kind of added to the drama of our own expedition,” said Scott Mandrell, a school teacher portraying Meriwether Lewis by cell phone on the river.

Despite it all, he said, the re-enactors were pressing on, in fine spirits and even “exceeding our plans,” since shoving off from St. Charles outside of St. Louis last month.

“There’s been a lot of weather, and that’s all part of this adventure,” Mandrell said. “That’s why we’ve been training for eight years.”

Lewis and William Clark undertook a 28-month trek through what was then the Louisiana Territory, braving broiling summer heat and occasionally violent thunderstorms as well as rattlesnakes and grizzly bears, ticks and insects.

The re-enactment crew includes Bud Clark — William Clark’s great-great-great grandson.