After arriving at the Pacific Ocean in December of 1805, the Lewis & Clark Expedition built Fort Clatsop and waited for Winter to pass. They stayed there for 106 days and it rained for 94 of them. They were unprepared for the constant rain and many felt it was the hardest part of their 8,000 mile journey. 

In addition to rain, they suffered from a lack of sunshine. Short days, clouds, and the angle of the Sun make it impossible for anyone to make enough Vitamin D during the Winter. Vitamin D Deficiency is linked to a seasonal depression referred to as The Winter Blues. In addition, the expedition ran out of spirits (whiskey) months before arriving at the site where they built Fort Clatsop. 

The Fort Clatsop Blues song was inspired by journals kept by members of the expedition.

Produced by Flashmouth Studios. Watch the Visual Podcast. Subscribe to our YouTube Channel for new releases. Listen to music from our songwriting team:

• Troy Johnson
• Madeline Finn
• Bonnie Baker
• Angela Parrish
• Nick Sears
• Britta Hurula