Bismarck, ND  July 21, 2009

I have a t-shirt that reads: My boyfriend said I should be more affectionate.... so I got another boyfriend.

Well I met a guy. Actually two.

I think I'm in love with Lewis and Clark.

Stayed late Tuesday morning in Washburn, North Dakota so I could tour the Lewis and Clark Interpretive Center.

Within the first five minutes Meriwether Lewis and William Clark rocked my world.

The pair were adventurers and in 1804, under orders from President Thomas Jefferson, set out to explore the Northwest.

The expedition, known as Corps of Discovery, lugged a keelboat to the head waters of the Missouri River.

As romantic and Huck Finn as this sounds, it was grueling work. The Corps tried to average 20 miles a day but at times the water was turbulent and other times they literally had to get in the water and drag the boat with ropes.

Think of the incredible stamina. Think of the determination. Think of the calories burned.

Too bad these guys couldn't round the bend and treat themselves to a peanut buster parfait with a dilly bar chaser.

Which leads me to believe the next reality show should be people reenacting the Lewis and Clark tour. There would be endless adventure, wacky mishap and obvious weight loss.

One of the commercial sponsors could be Deet.

Simon Cowell, who is ready to jump ship on American Idol anyway, could lead two teams. One headed by Jon Gosselin and the other by his lovely, demanding, ex-wife Kate.

Lord knows they're going to be looking for something to do next season and Jon needs somewhere to go on his honeymoon.

President Obama could make a guest appearance on one of his family weekends.

Mekalekahi and Heidi ho would love to spend the night aboard the keelboats, then they'd have something to tell their class when private school resumes in September.

MEET ED...

I met Ed from Champagne, Illinois while bicycling the scenic route between Washburn and Bismarck, North Dakota.

We had an immediate connection as we were both riding our high school bikes. Although my bike, also dated to the year Ed was born.

Ed was on a three month tour; after a stint in the Navy reserves and school he decided to take a break.

Plus, he couldn't find a job which totally upset his parents.

This was Ed's first tour. He was dressed in a t-shirt with the sleeves cut off, orange and white University of Illinois basketball shorts, and high top tennis shoes.

He looked like he was ready for a pickup game of one-on-one.

Gray Duct tape held a rear view mirror to the side of his black helmet. I'm sure the rest of the roll was somewhere in his gear which looked cumbersome, and I'm being nice.

Ed was extremely pleasant and optimistic and readily admitted he over packed. "I thought I'd be bored so I brought six books," he said quickly acknowledging he jettisoned the reading within the first week.

At 6-foot-4 and 200 pounds Ed had good reason for a five person tent and two pillows. Those were buried under his 5-pound U lock, clothes, rain gear, food and a full spare rear wheel.

"I keep breaking spokes," said Ed who didn't want to be burdened with fixing at the side of the road when he could simply slip on a spare.

We lurched and careened along, side-by-side for about 23 miles. We flew down the hills, Ed a distance behind me as he dragged his dinosaur tail of supplies.

"I really hate hills," said Ed who coasted a couple yards up the following incline and then resorted to walking.

We chatted it up. Ed talked about school, camping, showering at community pools for a dollar, and how he was going to get a king-size slurpie when he got to Bismarck.

He felt on this tour, like he was livin' the high life.