It is October in Nez Perce country. The season is changing from the warm days of late summer into the brisk and foggy mornings of autumn. As we travel on the Sea Lion we refresh ourselves by walking at the edge of the river to see what is there. Today our treasure is the handful of falling leaves; red, yellow, gold.

We are at one of the campsites of the Lewis and Clark Corps of Discovery on the Clearwater River. The stories told by Lin Laughy, the scent of wood smoke drifting downriver, the sounds of swirling water as it breaks around a rocky outcrop, all remind us that we are in a very special place.

In one frame of reference it is easy to say, “The red one is hawthorn, the yellow one is Indian hemp, and the gold one is mulberry.” In another frame however, it is easy to think these vivid colors reflect the spirit of the day, and we are fortunate to be able to experience it.

The companion picture is from the Snake River, a few miles away. These petroglyphs, carved on rock by older travelers leave us with many questions. Yet one thing we share.Whoever they were, they labored under the same sun, looked up in wonder at the same moon that we do today. And I can little doubt that if they found these same brilliant leaves on a similar October day, they would have picked them up and cherished them as well.