Customer Reviews

Chasing Lewis and Clark Across America: A 21st Century Aviation Adventure

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Lewis & Clark Across America: A 21st Century Aviation Adventure is the collabortive effort of accomplished pilot and writer Mary Walker and aerial photography expert Ron Lowery. Sweeping and stunning full-color images from above display the territory that Lewis and Clark once crossed in their heroic journey of exploration. A small amount of commentary and photographer's notes enriches the collection, but the vast pictures of terrain stretching as far as the eye can see speaks for itself too. A breathtaking memorial to treasure, and the next best thing to getting in an airplane and flying over the Lewis and Clark trail to see for oneself.

This is an absolutely beautiful pictorial trip along the route Lewis and Clark took as they followed the Missouri River west to find an overland route to the Pacific Ocean. But this is a view that Lewis and Clark could not see. Almost all the pictures are from the viewpoint of a small aircraft flying over the landscape. The photographs include everything from modern cities to landscapes that have not changed significantly from the time of their original explorations. The text contains historic information about the trip and the sites photographed as well as details of the plane trip and current information.

The photographs include beautiful patchwork landscapes, meandering rivers, forts Mandan and Union, the rough folds of the hills and canyons of the Missouri Breaks, the Rockies, and the Columbia River. This aerial vantage point gives a different perspective on the difficulties and beauty of the terrain that Lewis and Clark traversed so many years ago. Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America is a highly recommended book for anyone interested in the Lewis and Clark expedition or who just enjoys aerial photography.

Now I know why Ron Lowery likes the phrase "The plane flies but it's my mind that soars."

I just finished reading "Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America" and my mind is soaring also. What an exhilarating adventure and personally rewarding project this must have been for everyone involved! Ron's photographs are awesome and Mary's "down to earth" narratives made me feel like I was traveling right along with them. The intermingling of photographic journal entries with Lewis & Clark history and descriptions of their interactions with the many local communities they encountered along the way has created a kaleidoscopic adventure for the reader. As an amateur photographer, I also very much enjoyed the "photographer's notes" sections. My guess is that one of the most difficult challenges the author's faced in putting this superb publication together was deciding which photos to exclude.

Another factor which made this publication especially appealing to me was that I could personally relate to a lot of it ... because of the Lewis & Clark reading I have done and from first hand experience on "The Trail". The aerial views of the same areas I traveled have added a perspective and dimension that has greatly enriched my "ground level" experience. I'm sure other readers who have spent time on "The Trail" will say the same thing.

Ken Jutzi
Camarillo, California
September, 2004

Two hundred years ago The Corps of Discovery set out to explore the uncharted West. To mark the bicentennial of this epic journey, Ron Lowery determined to retrace their trail from the air.

The Corps was led by Captains Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Over a four year period this assignment took the Corps thousands of miles through flatlands, moutains, and rivers that no American had traveled before.

After studying the journals of Lewis and Clark, and doing extensive research studying the photographic possibilities and the topography of the proposed flight, Ron concluded it was feasible.

He recruited co-pilot and co-author, Mary Walker, and a ground crew of four to begin "Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America." The incredible photos Ron captured of the grandeur of America during their three month adventure are published in this book.

Ron's airplane the "Cloud Chaser" is an experimental aircraft made from a kit. It was originally designed for a National Geographic project in Africa's Congo. The design fit perfectly into Ron's plans for aerial photography.

Breath taking views, spectacular country, contrasts of colors, and a voyage of discovery are all word pictures that inadequately describe the photos displayed in the pages of this amazing book.

Mary Walker expresses an experience this way: "The air is cold and pure, and we are alone in this high realm of austere, timeless beauty. We stay as long as we dare...Ron wants to capture the backlit haze gathering in the valleys as the sun slips down. It's been a magical evening at the top of the world."

Whether your interest is in history, aviation, photography, travel, or adventure, you will enjoy your ride in Ron's "flying canoe."

Who amongst us hasn't contemplated an adventure requiring skill and courage beyond our dreams? After having read Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America, one has great respect for the achievements of Ron and Mary as well as a Walter Mitty like feeling that we wish we'd done it ourselves! Following Lewis and Clark's trail from the air in their homemade airplane is both an artistic and a technical achievement. Breathtaking photos from the air capture the grandeur of America and at the same time, create an intimate feeling with the land and its beauty. Lewis and Clark's spirit of adventure is undiminished in Ron and Mary. This breath taking book is a must read for the adventurous at heart and the history buff wanting to see in a new and different way, the great northwest that Lewis and Clark explored for our young country.

This is a beautiful aerial photo journey done by a superb photographer with a solid historical sense.We use it as presentation gift to friends.

What a wonderful piece of work! The photographs are stunning and the narrative both informative and interesting. I recently read "From Sea to Shining Sea" a historical novel about the Lewis and Clark Expedition and enjoyed it very much. When I saw this book advertised, I knew it was a "must see". The foresight of Jefferson in purchasing the land West of the Mississippi River was a stroke of genius and is what made our nation the size it is today. This is the best coffeetable book I've ever seen and is one that will be read and enjoyed for years to come. Congratulations to the authors.....a beautiful and fantastic work of art. I've reviewed books for Heritage Books, Inc. of Baltimore, MD, for many years and enjoyed reviewing this one as well.

This is one of the best books I have seen and read in a very long time. The history of the Lewis & Clark Expedition comes alive within the pages of this book.
The ultimate beauty of the aerial shots of the landscape photographs takes your breath away. You are surprised at the untamed beauty of our vast country that most Americans seldom see. These photographs capture your heart and you are in awe at the challenge that the Corp of Discovery undertook and accomplished so many years ago.
The narrative keeps you fascinated with the various types of people the ground crew met while following the trail of Lewis & Clark. Through their eyes we are allowed to see how people today live and how their lives are shaped by the geography of the area.
This book is a feast for your eyes and a treasure trove of interesting facts. It is a book everyone interested in our country should see and read. Geographers, historians, and teachers should use this book in their classrooms.
The authors have done much more than journey in the footsteps of Lewis & Clark, they have touched the hearts of those who have read their book. My sincere congratulations to the authors for taking a 21st century aviation adventure and showing us the beauty of our country. This is a must have, must see and read book that you will return to time after time.

The photography in this book is really amazing! I have never seen so many different aspects of America done so well. I could almost feel like I was in the plane. I was interested in the book to learn more about Lewis and Clark. I found myself going back again and again to study the photos. A lovely book I like to leave out to look at again and again.