From the open cockpit of a twin-engine plane, photographer Ron Lowery and writer Mary Walker retraced the epic journey of Lewis and Clark by air to mark the 200th anniversary of the historic expedition.
The result is Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America, a book that documents a grand adventure that will be the topic of a public presentation on Monday, Sept. 20, on the Baylor School campus.
The authors, who will share their tale with Baylor students throughout the day, will be on hand for an evening presentation open to the public. A slide presentation begins in the school’s Roddy Performing Arts Center at 7:30 p.m., followed by a book signing with Mr. Lowery and Ms. Walker.
Chasing Lewis & Clark Across America, published after the authors completed a three-month journey begun in June 2003, provides a unique perspective of the country through photographs, on-site interviews, and an adventure story reminiscent of the original explorers. Retracing the legendary journey from the sky were two modern-day explorers – Chattanoogan Ron Lowery, an experienced pilot and photographer, and former Chattanoogan Mary Walker, a writer and pilot.
Capturing each portion of the trip through photographs taken both on the ground and from the air, Mr. Lowery shot over 4,000 photos of their journey from an open-cockpit, twin-engine plane built from a kit with his son, Alan. While the novelty of his aircraft often drew a crowd, Ms. Walker’s on-the-ground interviews capture American history 2004 and bring to life the historic adventures of Lewis and Clark.
The Lewis and Clark expedition set out in May 1804, when the region of North America west of the Mississippi River was unknown territory. At President Thomas Jefferson’s instruction, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark became the eyes of the nation when they set out to explore an expanse of 820,000 square miles known as the Louisiana Territory, which the U.S. purchased from France in a land deal which doubled the size of the United States.
Writer Mary Walker studied the history of Lewis and Clark for three years before joining Ron Lowery in taking on the challenge of the explorers’ journey. Formerly a chemist in environmental and scientific research and natural resources, she is the founder of Envirolink magazine. She lives in Tuscon, Az.
Mr. Lowery is a professional photographer whose award-winning illustrations have been marketed as stock images. For the past 14 years he has explored and photographed the United States from his home-built airplanes. He lives in Harrison, Tenn.
Published by Windsock Media, the 167-page, 13¼ x 10¼-inch book was designed by Mr. Lowery’s wife, Sue. Copies of the book will be on sale for $45 at the public event on Baylor’s campus.
The production of the book has a Baylor connection. Longtime faculty member Bill Cushman, a Social Studies teacher and a 1959 alumnus of the school, was asked to review the text for historical accuracy.