"The Weippe Prairie was the most pleasant discovery of my journey through the lands of the Nez Perce.

This is where tribal members first came in contact with the Lewis and Clark Expedition, after L-C and the boys (plus Sacajawea) crossed the Bitteroot Mountains in the early snows of autumn. This happened on Sept. 20, 1805, back when winter arrived early.

Boy, did the Nez Perce save their bacon. Or, as was prevalent at the time, whatever they called the cut of dog meat the tribe first served the explorers."

Get the Story:
Terry Richard: Weippe Prairie where Nez Perce tribe had first contact with Lewis and Clark (The Oregonian 7/12)

Related Stories:
Travels: A key stop in the historic journey of the Nez Perce Tribe (7/11)
Column: Ongoing series on Old Chief Joseph's Oregon gravesite (7/10)