The footsteps of Lewis and Clark changed history. In the early 1800s, after journeying over 8,000 miles on land and water, Lewis, Clark, and their Corps of Discovery found new plants, animals, people, and lands. Ordered by President Thomas Jefferson, they reached the Pacific Ocean before other explorers, claiming land west of the Mississippi River for the United States. Along the way, they encountered deadly grizzly bears, saw herds of buffalo, overcame starvation and freezing temperatures, lost their way in the woods, sought guidance from the Native Americans, portaged raging waterfalls, and even survived a stray bullet. Lewis and Clark opened travel to the west. America was growing, and these brave explorers led the way.