Have you ever dreamed of adventure? Thomas J. Elpel had the opportunity to carve a dugout canoe with Churchill Clark, the great-great-great-great grandson of Captain Clark. Together they whittled a 10,000 lb. Douglas fir log down to a 500+ lb. canoe. Enlisting friends with additional canoes to join the adventure, Tom led a five-month "Missouri River Corps of Rediscovery Expedition," paddling the 2,341-mile Missouri River segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail from Montana to St. Louis. A stray puppy joined the five-man expedition en route, growing up on the canoes as the adventurers proceeded downriver. Instead of racing to the finish line, Tom and friends paddled the Missouri River much like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark did, as a conduit for exploring the land and meeting its inhabitants. Every campsite offered a new opportunity to hike and explore the geographical landscape and geology, identify plants, and forage for wild foods. They enjoyed a leisurely pace paddling through the heart of America while diving into natural history, the fur trade, Lewis and Clark, and the history of Native American tribes along the route. They were assisted by many gracious River Angels who reached out to help portage the expedition around the dams. Throughout the journey, Tom wrote a weekly column that was published in newspapers in Montana and across the Midwest. He fleshed out the story for the book, filling in additional details and whole new essays, accompanied by seven hundred stunning color photos from the adventure. The finished book is both an uplifting adventure story and a coffee table book, making an easy read and an inspiring page-turner. Five Months on the Missouri River is tantalizing in its imagery, and anyone who picks up the book to look at the pictures will quickly be captivated by the story, following the expedition from the beginning until its conclusion. "Tom Elpel stepped back in time to 1804-06 and followed the Lewis & Clark Expedition's route down the Missouri river on a life changing, epic journey from Montana to St. Louis. Tom's extensive knowledge of plants and the natural world, his love of history and the river are expressed here on every page as if Lewis and Clark stepped into the 21st Century. The stunning images and narrative are breathtaking and inspiring, seen through the eyes of Elpel as he traveled aboard a beautiful dugout canoe through the heart of America." --Norm Miller Expedition Paddler - Historian Founder, Missouri River Paddlers "Thomas Elpel brings Lewis and Clark’s expedition alive as he tries to replicate what they would have done. Digging out a canoe, eating food that they would have eaten, keeping a detailed journal, and documenting the plant and animal life; this book gives you a visual idea of what these men experienced. Overall, this book has an amazing way of bringing history alive in a colorful way. You feel as if you explored these lands as Lewis and Clark. I would highly recommend Five Months on the Missouri River to anyone who loves American history, teachers, and parents." --Reviewed by Peggy Jo Wipf for Readers' Favorite This archetypal story of adventure in Montana involved carving and paddling a dugout canoe along the Missouri River like the famed explorers Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. Author Tom Elpel was privileged to live out this long-time dream when he connected with Churchill Clark, the great-great-great-great grandson of Captain Clark. Together they whittled a 10,000 lb. Douglas fir log down to a 500+ lb. canoe. Tom led a five-month "Missouri River Corps of Rediscovery" expedition, paddling this 2,341-mile segment of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail from Three Forks, Montana to St. Louis, Missouri. Tom and friends paddled the Missouri River as a conduit for exploring the land and meeting its inhabitants. Every campsite offered a new opportunity to hike and explore the geographical landscape and geology, identify plants, and forage for wild foods. They enjoyed a leisurely pace paddling through the heart of America while diving into Lewis and Clark history and the history of Native American tribes along the route. They were assisted by many River Angels along the way, meeting some of the nicest people on the planet. Throughout the journey, Tom wrote a weekly column that was published in newspapers along the Missouri River corridor. He fleshed out the story for the book, filling in additional details and whole new essays, accompanied by seven hundred stunning color photos from the adventure. "Five Months on the Missouri River" is tantalizing in its imagery, and anyone who picks up the book to look at the pictures will quickly be captivated by the story following the expedition from the beginning until its conclusion. In addition to being a successful author of several well-received books, Thomas J. Elpel is the founder of Green University LLC which mentors young adults in wilderness skills and sustainable li