YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"At but two Miles below the Shoots, we came to the Dalles Rapids, a long & intricate chain rushing with great force through a number of narrow & Crooked Channels, bounded by huge Masses of perpendicular Rock, the faces very much fractured, giving them a number of fantastic shapes. At 6.30 pm we Encampt about 3 Leagues below the Dalles, when we were visited by a number of Indians who got the usual donation of Tobacco. #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney Home

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"At our night's Encampment the Indians collected about us in great numbers, but conducted themselves peaceably, having got Tobacco to Smoke, of which they are passionately fond.
"Tuesday. The morning Gloomy. At 5 am we Embarked & pursued our route down the Columbia, altho' it commenced rain which continued during the remainder of the Day. At 2 pm we arrived at the Shoots Falls where we had to make a Portage... #WAHistory #HistoricJourney to #VancouverWA

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"The Morning showery with strong Breezes from the Southward, but the Weather became fair at 9 am and continued so during the Day. The face of the Country continues to present the same singular formation, a range of Hills along the River at the Rocky Island Portage seems somewhat different, the face is columnar but a good deal fractured, giving it the appearance of an immense Pile of Cubical Masses,the Stone resembles lava.... #WAHistory #HistoricJourney Home.

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"Fine & clear Weather. Having to run a chain of rapids below our Encampment we did not Embark until daylight, when we commenced our run of the Rapids, which form a sweeping chain for about 8 Miles [Nespelem Canyon]. Below these rapids the River follows its course in a very Winding direction for about 3 1/2 Leagues, when you arrive at the Junction of the Okinagan [#Okanogan] River, where we arrived at 9 am. #Okanagan #Bookstodon #HistoricJourney #WAHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS BLOGPOST:
The Grand Coulee was a geological feature of Washington Territory before the Columbia River was dammed. But the Express men did not usually use the trail that ran through it: altho' in 1848, and because of the Indian wars that threatened their regular route, Thomas Lowe reached Fort Colvile by the Grand Coulee trail. #Blogpost #WAHistory #CanadaHistory #HistoricJourney to Hudson Bay and Return. http://nancymargueriteanderson.com/grand-coulee/

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"We came to a short point of Wood, and then to Boat Encampment at 10 am, terminating our Journey across the Rocky Mountain Portage. Here the Water communication commences again, which is certainly an agreeable change in our Mode of travelling. We found Mr. John Warren Dease & Mr. Finan McDonald here, & a few returning Servants & familys on their way across the Mountain, who were waiting our arrival so as to return with our Horses... #HistoricJourney #Canada

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS BLOGPOST:
From Fort Nez Perces #WallaWalla #WA the outgoing York Factory Express men journied by varying routes -- either overland by the historic Shawpatin Road, or up the Columbia River itself -- to Fort Colvile, the HBC post just north and west of modern-day #Spokane #WA. #WAHistory #HBCHistory #Blogpost #HistoricJourney #Books http://nancymargueriteanderson.com/second-leg/

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"The River has now dwindled away to a pretty stream, its course very much through flats or Batures confined by stupendous mountains, in some places again it forces its way thro' ravines and Cliffs of Rock. We passed immense glaciers of Ice, that appear from the earliest time to have resisted the power of the Sun, and are now as compact as the Mountains that enclose them, they impart a frigidity to the atmosphere... #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney Home

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"I certainly think our Encampment might vie in point of romantic appearance with many of far greater celebrity. On our left is the perpendicular face of this stupendous Rock, rising to an elevation of upwards of three thousand feet, its shadow casting a gloom of the deep Defile #JasperValley, so opposite to the brilliant sky immediately over us, that the mind feels an impression as if it were somewhat supernatural... #Canada #History #Books #HistoricJourney

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"This morning a Thick Fog which cleared up at 9 am, at 11 We came in sight of the Rocky Mountains #HintonAB in the SW, their lofty summits towering up to the Vaulted Heavens seemed to bid defiance to the efforts of Man to gain their Eminences. It was not therefore easy for the travellers to divest himself of feeling anticipated hardships on beholding this Stupendous Mass of Mountains which he was about to cross... #Bookstodon #HistoricJourney Home #History

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"Fine and soft weather, a Fresh breeze SW. We met a grizzle bear this morning on the Bank of the River, he very deliberately stood & looked at us in our Canoe as if intending to choose one of us for prey, but Mr. James McMillan wounding him he scampered off to the Woods. He was followed for some distance but without success, as he made his escape good. Our Breakfast situation of this Morning was a very romantic one.... #CanadaHistory #HistoricJourney #Books

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"The Canadien crews seem very well pleased with the change [from Boats to Canoes], as they are much more used to and understand the management of the Birch Canoes much better than the Boats. To the passengers, however, the change I think affords no advantage, the heavy lading reducing our room to very small bounds. Noon, fine clear weather. At 4 pm we came up with a small Canoe, which we had dispatched the previous Saturday.. #Canada #History #HistoricJourney

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"There is a considerable extent of farm adjoining Fort #Edmonton, which is now under an abundant Crop of Wheat, Barley, Oats & Potatoes -- and a garden producing excellent vegetables. There is an extensive range of Pasture Land, also along the Bank of the River, affording an abundant Provision for Horses. Deer are very numerous in this Trqack of country -- of the red deer [Elk] Tribes principally. Bears, both of the Black & Grizzle... #HistoricJourney #Books

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"The Evening having become Cool, we were less troubled by Moskitoes.
"Tuesday. Thick Fog in the Morning. We were joined by our Hunters at 6.15 pm who it appears were Employed Hunting Deer, as they brought us a supply of one Red Deer [Elk] besides the Meat of a Buffaloe Bull. We crossed them & five Horses to the opposite or North Banks of the North #Saskachewan River. Noon, the Weather became Gloomy, threatening Rain. #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney Home

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL,1826:
"We had rain during the night, but the Morning fine & Clear. Having cured a considerable quantity of Meat, we Embarked at 8 am, our Horse party striking off across the Country. The face of the Country is becoming more Woody as we ascend, & the Pines have again appeared, from Carlton House, where they had disappeared. After passing the Junction of the Jack & Turle River, the bed of the #Saskatchewan extends more, and... #HistoricJourney #Books #CanadaHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"Rain during the night. Our party renewed their Hunting at day light, but owing to a high wind, which is not favourable for that purpose, they only succeeded in killing one Cow, with which the four killed the previous evening we proceeded to the banks of the River, to await the arrival of our Boats, who joined us at 8.30 am. After breakfast the Hunting Party returned to the plains, but I rejoined my Boat.... #History #HistoricJourney #Books #CanadaHistory

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"To a stranger, the fierce appearance of this Animal [the Bison Bull] is calculated to excite some apprehension from a too close approach, which is often attended with Danger, as when only partially wounded they frequently become furious & will attack the Hunter if not upon his guard. This Animal's flesh not being deemed food, we left him & proceeded in search of bands of Cows, when we were soon gratified by the sight... #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL 1826:
"Wednesday. Commenced fine clear weather. We had a heavy dew during the night. Embarked 4.45. Along our days track Mud Banks frequently occur in the bed of the N. #Saskatchewan River, which makes the Channel very intricate. The immediate Banks are Muddy, but the Country on gaining the Summit of a rise or bank of gentle ascent, is a vast Surface of Plains. At 9 we landed to breakfast, our Horse party joining us... #Canada #Books #History #HistoricJourney Home.

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNALS, 1826:
"Very warm and clear Weather. The frequency of the Rapids & the great strength of Current requires an additional force upon our Track Line, so that the Crews cannot form an hourly relief of fresh hands, which obliges them to take frequent rests, so that our progress is very much retarded. The face of the Country is extensive plains as far as the eye can see. #PrinceAlbert Our track today has continued very Winding... #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney

YORK FACTORY EXPRESS JOURNAL, 1826:
"Wednesday. Fine weather, with great heat during the day. At 4 am we Embarked and continued our ascent by our men Tracking along shore. There now seems to be tracts of clear country, enabling those inclined to walk across the Points formed by the various bends of the #Saskatchewan River, which being a more direct line than the course of the River renders it easy to keep ahead of the boats; but the great heat... #CanadaHistory #Books #HistoricJourney Home