Lewis & Clark 'made the best of Christmas' - KTIV News 4 Sioux City IA: News, Weather and Sports

As "Sioux-lebrities" Lewis & Clark crossed the nation, it wasn't too easy to celebrate Christmas.

Just ask the folks over at the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center. They say the expedition, which started in 1804, was nine months in when the holly jolly day appeared on the calendar. Holed up at Fort Mandan in North Dakota, the group was waiting out the winter.

They didn't have a lot of luxuries, but they made the best of it.

"They shot off a cannon to open up the day. It was like a big celebration. They fired off their guns too. Then throughout the day, there was lots of dancing to celebrate. You got to remember, this was their 2^nd day off is all, in the whole expedition," said Brent Wojcik with the Lewis & Clark Interpretive Center.

The expedition also celebrated with some spirits and gave gifts. Lewis and Clark rewarded their men with tobacco twists and handkerchiefs. Typically, the group would feast too. But supplies were short.

"They didn't have the food to do that. But they still said they were in good health and that's more than all the luxuries life can afford, they wrote," said Wojcik.

The expedition had their 2^nd Christmas at Fort Clatsop in Oregon, before starting their trip home.