A young lady checks out the nose cone on this impressive Boeing B-17 Flying Fortress.

The nonprofit Liberty Foundation tours around the country with the plane – and a mission to keep the Flying Fortress functioning. Of the 12,732 B-17's built there are only 13 of them still flying worldwide.

The FF was a relatively fast, high-flying, long-range bomber with heavy defensive armament at the expense of bombload. Traditionally outfitted with seven machine guns, the flying fortress could defend itself in any direction. The B-17 developed a reputation as an effective bomber, dropping more bombs than any other U.S. aircraft in World War II. Of the 1.5 million tonnes of bombs dropped on Nazi Germany and its occupied territories by U.S. aircraft, 640,000 tonnes were dropped from B-17s.

The “Madras Maiden” changed hands several times over the years, in use as a cargo transport and a pesticide sprayer before the Erickson Collection, an aviation museum in Madras, Ore., bought it in 2013. Restored to its combat configuration, the plane was painted in the colors of the 381st Bomb Group, which completed 297 operational missions.

Enjoy a wonderful weekend!

Tags:   Madras Maiden B-17 Flying Fortress warplane bomber Madras Oregon Felts Field Erickson Collection Liberty Foundation

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Sun sets over the twin cities named after Lewis & Clark.

"Recent history begins 206 years ago, when in 1805 the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed through the valley. The Lewis and Clark party camped overnight on an island near the confluence of the Snake and Clearwater rivers, then continued westward through what is now eastern Washington on their way to the mouth of the Columbia River.

"For thousands of years, there were the Nez Perce Indians, a proud and peaceful Native people who hunted, fished and gathered the fruits of this land. The Nez Perce welcomed Lewis and Clark to their country, which in later decades would become the scene of bitter land disputes and the Nez Perce War."

"In 1860, gold was discovered in the Clearwater Country near what is now Pierce, Idaho, and the cry of "Gold!" changed the land forever. Sternwheelers brought miners and supplies upriver from Portland. Almost overnight, the town of Lewiston sprang up on the east side of the Snake as entrepreneurs rushed to cash in on the boom."

"Clarkston began as a ferry landing on the west side of the Snake. Jawbone Flat--later renamed Concord and finally, Clarkston, in honor of William Clark."

From Clark's Journal:
October 10, 1805 (Camped opposite Clarkston, Washington)
" arrived at a large Southerly fork which is the one we were on with the Snake nation... this South fork or Lewis's River* which has two forks** which fall into it on the South the 1st small the upper large... I think Lewis's River is about 250 yards wide, the Koos koos ke*** River about 150 yards wide and the river bellow the forks about 300 yards wide. The Countrey about the forks is an open Plain on either side. I can observe at a distance on the lower Stard. Side a high ridge of Thinly timbered Countrey the water of the South fork-is a greenish blue, the north as clear as cristial." Captain Clark

Clark was referring to the present Clearwater river when he called it the Koos Koos Ke.

Lewis and Clark named major rivers along their route. Most don't realize that the 2nd most impressive river on the west side of the Continental Divide was named after Lewis: the Snake River. Eventually, the name Snake River was derived from an S-shaped gesture the Shoshone tribe made with their hands to represent swimming salmon. Explorers misinterpreted it to represent a snake, giving the river its present-day name. Wonder what Meriwether would think of that..........

Thanks for the visit. Always appreciated.

Tags:   Lewiston Idaho Clarkston Washington Clearwater river Snake River dusk sunset

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A tourist tipi in Stanley Idaho, with some of the Sawtooths providing a majestic backdrop.

A visual reminder of the legacy and history of the original homesteaders.

The Shoshone tribe, also known as the Sheepeater people, called this area home for centuries. Sacajawea was of the Shoshone peoples. Without the help of the Shoshone tribe Lewis and Clark's expedition would not have been successful, probably even survived.

Native American history has long held a deep fascination for me. There is a bit of mountain man in me, but know I would miss showers, quick meals and mosquito repellant. Still fun to imagine how pristine and natural it would have been back then.

Enjoy a wonderful Sunday!

Tags:   Shoshone tribe Shoshones Sheepeaters Native American history tipi teepee Sawtooths Sawtooth mountains Stanley Idaho

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A statue and memorial to Meriwether Lewis's Newfoundland who endured The Corp of Discoveries expedition to the Pacific coast and back in 1804-1806.

As a dog lover this touched my heart. This particular tribute was at the impressive Sacajawea Interpretive, Cultural, and Education Center in Salmon Idaho. Sacajawea was from this area and helped guide them thru here. The Expedition probably would not have survived, nor completed their task without her help.
An image I took of a beautiful statue to this special woman in comments.

Have a wonderful day!

Tags:   Seaman Newfoundland Seaman Dog of Discovery Lewis and Clark Corp of Discovery Sacajawea Interpretive Cultural & Educational Center Sacajawea Salmon Idaho

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To all veterans of all branches: Thank you for your sacrifice, your bravery, and the example you set for us all. To all those who have served, and those who continue to serve… Happy Veterans Day!

Shown is the upper machine gun turret on the B17 Madras Maiden, taken when this rare plane visited Spokane.

When I turned 18 I was up for the draft as the Vietnam War was raging on. Rather than dodge bullets I enlisted in Rickover's Navy nuclear engineering program, getting a great education I later served as a nuke on 2 boomer submarines, deep underwater for a total of 577 days safe from any bullets. Was quite a unique experience. Was hard but joining the Navy was one of the best decisions I ever made. Came out a better man. And as it turned out I would have been drafted...my number came up.

We celebrate our veterans in America on this date. Major hostilities of World War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

"In 1945, World War II veteran Raymond Weeks from Birmingham, Alabama, had the idea to expand Armistice Day to celebrate all veterans, not just those who died in World War I. Weeks led a delegation to Gen. Dwight Eisenhower, who supported the idea of National Veterans Day. Congress amended the bill on June 1, 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since." Wiki

Tags:   Veterans Day Holidays Armistice Day B17 upper gun turret gun turret stop wars veterans

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