2007-02-18 06:23:02 · 11 answers · asked by muddgirl1993 1 in Travel ➔ United States ➔ St. Louis
Guys don't ask directions
2007-02-21 12:10:32 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They were looking for the NorthWest Passage (a water passage to the Pacific Ocean), with the intention of mapping an easier route to the Pacific Ocean.
They started in St. Louis, because it was the only community with the resources they needed north along the Mississippi River, and was near the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. They then followed waterways (Rivers) toward the west (many of which also ran from a northerly or northwesterly direction toward the Mississippi.)
"Treating" (opening relations) with the Native Americans, and capturing and/or recording the native wildlife and plantlife were important aspects of the journey, because they would help protect the travelers who were to follow this water route in later years.
2007-02-20 11:31:10 · answer #2 · answered by Kendall N 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
At that time the Missouri River Use to be a lot wider and wiggley than today. Plus they were out exploring and rather than being in a race to get to the finish line one more than likely did a bit of zig zaging and double backing and so forth.
2007-02-21 06:25:00 · answer #3 · answered by Scott 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
They had to follow the terrain. To go in a straight line would have taken much longer, as they would have had to clear the way of more brush and trees, etc. By following the land's natural terrain, they were generally close to water sources, and game, as many of the trails they used were game trails.
2007-02-18 06:28:29 · answer #4 · answered by Mangy Coyote 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
They used the Missouri River. They set out on their exporation to follow the Missouri River to its source. When they reached the source, they continued on until they reached the pacific. If you get out a map, you will see the Missour River is not a straight river.
2007-02-19 05:57:21 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
They didn't know what was between them, or a direct route. It's not like there was a highway and mapquest to show them the way. Plus they like to stay by rivers for fresh water and food.
2007-02-21 07:43:16 · answer #6 · answered by beyondthelimit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
One reason is that they probably didn't know exactly where they were going, and were the first people of European decsent in many areas.
They moslty just followed the Riverways, or werever else they could.
2007-02-18 10:24:26 · answer #7 · answered by Mark F 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, it's possible
2016-07-28 08:44:40 · answer #8 · answered by Paola 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Thank you! Very valuable information and offers me better insight on the topic
2016-08-23 18:27:13 · answer #9 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Simple. They didn't have a map, they had to MAKE the map.
2007-02-18 06:31:14 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 1⤋