Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower Tour

On Thursday, September 21st, eight of us headed out on the September caper to the Lewis and Clark Confluence Tower in Hartford, Illinois.

We arrived just in time to take the first tour up the tower.  There are 360° views at 50 feet, 100 feet, and 150 feet. At the top platform, or 150 feet, we were able to see Confluence Point where the Missouri and Mississippi rivers meet.

 

The Confluence Tower was built to honor the 200th anniversary of the famed Lewis and Clark Journey to map the western United States in 1803.

The Confluence Tower visitor center is home to an interactive exhibit with videos and panels that tell the stories of the region’s history, wildlife, and Byway communities.

 

Once our feet were on solid ground again, we traveled a mile down the road to the Lewis and Clark State Historic Site, “the point of departure”, the mouth of River Dubois. Experience the visions of the expedition, a woodland environment, a 55-foot keelboat with a 30-foot mast crosscut to see how the provisions were stored, and much more.

 

Now, it was time for lunch at the infamous Lotawata Creek Restaurant in Fairview Heights.

A “lota” food was enjoyed by all before we headed back to Troy with a “lota” food to eat later.

As always, one caper tends to lead to ideas for another caper. Stay tuned for the latest idea for 2024.