3) Meriwether's battle with the Ohio River

Lewis spent almost a year planning for the Expedition. With President Jefferson direction and suggestions Lewis pretty much single handedly designed their keelboat and purchased boats, supplies, tools, weapons, and ammunition. Over months he also received extensive training on navigation using the stars, sun and moon; medicines, medical treatment and plants. Lewis was exceptionally bright and aggressively learned all the subjects he could in a short order of time. Without doubt much of his knowledge of plants was from his mother, Lucy Lewis Marks was known for her expertise with herbs used for medicines to cure illnesses.