TO DO THE LEWIS AND CLARK TRAIL, I had no plan except to put my canoe in the water and paddle. I had done no prior research. I had no backup person or crew. I had no cell phone. I didn’t even have a map. I had absolutely no idea what I was in for. From my home near Kansas City, I drove my old junker to the Pacific Coast where, at the mouth of the Columbia River, I donated it to a local salvage yard. Then with no other way home, I set out with canoe and dog on what would become a 4,000 mile journey into the heart of America. I was a newborn Christian, my eyes had only just opened, I was not mature, but despite my newness, my heart was on fire for God and I firmly believed that as long as I kept putting one foot before the other in faith, He would bring good from my effort. My book, AMERICAN ERRAND, is painstakingly written and professionally edited. In fairness to the people in this story, my literary portrait of them should be regarded as coming solely from my perspective (they just kept coming forward like angels out of the blue!). Unless otherwise indicated, I use their real names (first names only). Location names are also given, which can help readers that wish to follow by way of Google Earth or other satellite imagery services.

PS: Pictures of my journey on the Lewis and Clark Trail are available in this book’s website (see link in book). Also in this book’s website are links to websites for my current mission work traveling by horse and wagon from farm to farm and town to town, telling folks what I learned on the Lewis and Clark Trail (websites include photos and videos).