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"Ocian in view".
From the road to Pillar Rock, near Pigeon Bluff (Mile Post 5).
Image taken June 16, 2004.
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"... Ocian in view! O! the joy. ..."
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"Ocian in view" ...
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On November 7, 1805, at camp near Pillar Rock, Captain Clark wrote in his journal:
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"... we are in view of the opening of the Ocian, which
Creates great joy. ..."
[Clark, November 7, 1805, first draft]
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"... Ocian in view! O! the
joy ..."
[Clark, in distances for November 7, found in Journals after entries of November 16]
In reality the men were really looking at the lower Columbia River estuary and
Grays Bay, with another 20 miles to go before reaching the Pacific Ocean. Captain Lewis would reach the Ocean on November 15th and Captain Clark would reach the Ocean on November 18.
Today a turnout at Pigeon Bluff along the road to Altoona and Pillar Rock contains a viewpoint overlooking Grays Bay, and an information kiosk honoring Clark's
"Ocian in view! O! the joy".
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Views ...
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Sign, Altoona-Pillar Rock Road, Washington.
Image taken October 15, 2013.
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Grays Bay, Washington.
From the road to Pillar Rock, near Pigeon Bluff (Mile Post 5).
Image taken April 9, 2004.
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From the Journals of Lewis and Clark ...
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Clark, November 7, 1805 ...
Clark, November 7, 1805, in distances, found in journals after entries of November 16, 1805 ...
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S. 70° W. 3 Miles to a point on the Stard Side [Jim Crow Point] passg. under a high mountanious Countrey and Encamped on the rocks Stard. Side opposit a rock [Pillar Rock] Situated ½ a mile in the river 50 feet high & 20
Diamuter Some high mountains to the S W. on the top of one [Saddle Mountain] is Snow.
Ocian in view! O! the joy.
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