We found Washburn friendly and generous, complete with plenty of scenic riverfront. Many thanks to the Lutheran and Baptist churches who each made it possiblle for us relief from the heat for a night ! The Corps encountered the Mandan and Hidatsa villages at the mouth of the Knife River on Oct 24th 1804 after struggling upstream with all their supplies for the journey west. They finished building their winter home and moved in just in time for Christmas.
After a brutally cold winter (temps as low as -40 F), the river ice broke up and Lewis & Clark sent the keelboat and 12 men back east on April 7 to deliver maps and specimens to President Jefferson. The remaining 33 headed upriver in six dugout canoes and two pirouges. In the early 1970's a reconstruction of the fort was built just three miles outside of Washburn. A new visitor center was completed recently with a "green" energy efficient design, using building materials made from coal ash waste.
I spent some time on logistics for the coming weeks after touring the fort and the Lewis & Clark interpretive center. The center had a display that was unique in all the museums I've visited so far: a focus on art. There were beautiful bronze sculptures and paintings by several artists who focused on recording the tribal culture before there was too much change from contact with white people. So even if you're not into history, if you enjoy art the center is well worth the entrance fee.
Topped off the day enjoying the peace along the riverfront. A nice bike path along the river bluff almost made up for the fact that despite record breaking heat they had already drained the city pool for the winter season....kids are back in school.
A spectacular sunset topped off the day. 
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