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So, yes, I'd heard about Lewis and Clark (that would be Meriwether Lewis and William Clark). And I vaguely knew that Thomas Jefferson had dispatched them to explore the Louisiana Purchase that he had just acquired from France in 1803. But not until my husband and I took an American Cruise Lines expedition of our own to the Snake and Columbia rivers in the Pacific Northwest did I grasp the awe and reverence with which they must have viewed their historic discovery and the inspirational journey that unfolded.

There is so much more to any ACL adventure -- both in terms of onboard activities, entertainment and a variety of excursions -- but please bear with me because I became enthralled by the Lewis and Clark storyline. So that's where I'll begin.

It was considered the "moon launch of its day" because nothing was known of the Pacific Northwest or where exactly the Pacific Ocean was. But the president didn't just want someone of courage to lead his expedition -- he wanted someone with medical knowledge, a botanist, a naturalist, an interpreter, one who could get along with hostile Natives and a team leader. He also needed to be a good communicator as the Corps of Discovery, 40 men led by Lewis and Clark, kept in close contact with the president over their many months away. I still find that hard to fathom. It was only 1804.

They encountered buffaloes and elk, antelopes and prairie dogs, wolves and bears, lots of beavers and vast varieties of birds. Everything was new -- so many unknown plants that they recorded, inscribed and sent back to Washington to be studied. So many artifacts, botanical specimens, minerals, animals, foods, examples of tribal culture -- how they accomplished all that while still fighting to stay alive through multiple hardships remains inspirational today.

From the Missouri River and eventually to the Columbia, they mapped the land, recorded its resources, interacted with a multitude of Indigenous tribes and often suffered through tumultuous weather events, impossible travel conditions, and periods of starvation and illness.

The ACL journey brought to life the many hardships the corps struggled against and the bravery and perseverance with which they carried out their historic mission. On Nov. 7, 1805, 18 months and 4,000 miles of arduous travel finally brought them into view of the long-sought Pacific Ocean. The fact that they returned home triumphant is yet another miraculous part of the story.

But I guess we should get back to the ship, the staff and their attention to detail. The first night at cocktail hour I ordered my go-to drink -- a fireball. Nope, not there. The next night it was. Do I need to remind you that we're on a ship? The whole staff is that committed to making the cruise memorable -- even though tipping is discouraged.

And then there's the food -- literally available around the clock. There's an Early Riser breakfast before the dining-room breakfast and a pretty-much all-day cafe in the Sky Lounge bracketing the more formal lunches and dinners. Cookie time at 10 and 3 provides the necessary sustenance between meals. One would think that the cocktail hour and hors d'oeuvres prior to dinner might interfere with the more-than-generous dinner options, but that doesn't happen. An hour later, no one skimps on the open bar, ice cream treats and popcorn that accompany the evening entertainment. Did I mention that snacks and beverages are always available in the lounge?

A fitness room is available to counter all those calories, but no one goes there. The saving grace? All meals come in half-portions, which themselves are more than sufficient in this close-to-five-star restaurant.

And should you wish to stay on board, which few people do, no matter their disabilities, ship activities abound, such as games, lectures and reading nooks. Sample game? Two Truths and a Lie. Guests fill out a form listing two truths about themselves and a falsehood. The rest of the guests vote on which is the lie. Some of the interesting offerings: former Rose Bowl queen, exotic dancer in college, met Buzz Aldrin and Alan Shephard, married two and a half times, had a starring role in 16 adult films, lives in Brooklyn. (OK, not ALL the answers evoked interest. Much of the fun lay in discovering just what was true and what was not, and the right answer was not always predicable.

As immersive as the Lewis and Clark adventure was, another excursion to the Mount St. Helens volcano brought its own sense of wonder. It erupted on May 18, 1980, decimating the area for miles around. Unlike most volcanoes, the lava spewed horizontally from a crack in its side as opposed to vertically, making its impact even more consequential, wiping out life and land for more than 260 square miles. Lakes, glaciers, landslides, lava-domes, craters, heat, ash and gas all flourished beyond the eruption, which was the largest in North America in 100 years. This is the only place in the world where there is this intermingling of natural creations of such geologic significance.

But here's the amazing reality: From absolute nothingness emerged an entirely new landscape. And it happened in just 45 years' time. Experts have been studying Mount St. Helens for decades -- and with good reason. It's a geological extravaganza.

Our exciting journey ended in Clarkston, Washington -- directly across the river from Lewiston, Oregon. Seems we had come full circle. How fitting.

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WHEN YOU GO

For more information: americancruiselines.com/cruises/columbia-and-snake-river-cruises/columbia-and-snake-rivers-cruise

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Fyllis Hockman is a freelance writer. To read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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