Iced Caramel Macchiato

Sent by President Jefferson to explore territory claimed by the British, Russia and Spain ahead of the Oregon Treaty of 1846, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark, during their 1805–1806 expedition, concluded that Oregon was a region of immense natural beauty and resources but challenging conditions. Their journals describe the Columbia River’s complex channels, abundant elk, and lush forests, ideal for sustenance but tough for navigation. They noted the Chinook and Clatsop tribes’ resourceful lifestyles, relying on fish and roots. The relentless rain and harsh winters at Fort Clatsop near modern Astoria tested their endurance. Oregon’s strategic Pacific coast access impressed them, reinforcing its value for trade and settlement, shaping American interest in the region’s potential.