Great Joy, But Not Quite Yet

Journal 2005 11 07
Great Joy, But Not Quite Yet

“we made 34 miles to day as Computed. Great joy in camp we are in View of the Ocian,   [NB: in the morning when fog cleared off just below last village just on leaving the village of Warkiacum], this great Pacific Octean which we been So long anxious to See. and the roreing or noise made by the waves brakeing on the rockey Shores (as I Suppose) may be heard distictly”

Finally the Corps of Discovery thinks they have reached the mighty Pacific Ocean! However, we know they have not. As they will find out soon enough, they have yet to reach the Pacific.

They met the Wahkiakum tribe and found them to be friendly. Fish hooks are of great value to this tribe and used by the Corps as trade for fish, roots and three dogs.

How many times in my life have I thought I’d arrived, or finished, only to find out there was more to do? The men were close but not quite done. In fact, more than a week will pass before they complete the push west started over a year ago outside St. Louis, Missouri.

And we must do the same. When we think we are done, we may not be. It is then when we must push to the finish line. The work is not over until the one who sets the course in place declares it done.

Great joy? Yes. A completed journey? No.

They, and we, must continue to “proceed on.”