Three Rivers, Trident and Trinity
Journal 2005 07 25
Three Rivers, Trident and Trinity
William Clark and his small advance party arrive at an idyllic valley on their quest west. Clark documents the geography and statistics of the rivers. We need to wait for Meriwether Lewis before we get the lyrical description reserved for the deep romantic in Lewis’ heart.
Three rivers of nearly equal size and quality meander through this mountain valley and form one larger river, the long traveled Missouri! Noted by the Indian nations for the confluence of three river forks the area retains that name today. The town of Three Forks, MT is slightly southwest of this place on today’s maps. Elevation 4,081 feet. Exit 278 off I-90 today. An even smaller mining town lies less than a mile downstream from the Missouri. Its name, Trident. I should think Trinity would have come to the mind also.
Those who love trout fishing in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains can close their eyes and imagine the swift-flowing streams so clear that they seem to magnify everything between the surface and the rocky bottom creating an optical illusion. Water refracts light differently than air and objects appear to be closer than they really are. Those who have not seen mountain rivers can remember Robert Redford and Brad Pitt trout fishing in the movie, “A River Runs Through It.”
Lewis’ river party was about twenty miles behind Clark and his overland party. Clark has seen a wild horse before reaching the three forks. It was healthy and not about to be caught by four men with sore blistered feet. Horses were really the reason for their wanting to connect with the Shoshone. I’m surprised that the sighting of the horse did not ignite great relief and joy in the wearying travelers. A simple sentence recording its sighting is all that is mentioned.
The men continue to enjoy the fresh berries of the summer as a tasty supplement to their meat diet. Much as it is still today, deer are more abundant than any of the other species of big game. Elk are found in smaller numbers, a bear is seen and no bison and the “white pudding” the men enjoy from the bison fat.
What keeps coming to mind is the natural occurrence of three rivers combined to make one mighty one. Attributes of all three are similar. Characteristics are similar, but courses are different. Substance is the same, clean, pure life-giving water. Three Forks, Trident and my name, Trinity.
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Three manifestations of the substance of God. Same clean, pure life-giving water. Same attributes of holiness, omniscience and omnipresence. Different manifestations in creation. All God. One God.
An infinite mystery beyond our carnal comprehension, but not beyond our observation of its revelation. In the confluence of three equal, yet separate, mountain streams begins the flow of a river whose journey is life to those who look to it for sustenance. That is the call of God for us always. Look to Him for His provision of all things necessary to life and living.
Three Rivers, Trident and Trinity
William Clark and his small advance party arrive at an idyllic valley on their quest west. Clark documents the geography and statistics of the rivers. We need to wait for Meriwether Lewis before we get the lyrical description reserved for the deep romantic in Lewis’ heart.
Three rivers of nearly equal size and quality meander through this mountain valley and form one larger river, the long traveled Missouri! Noted by the Indian nations for the confluence of three river forks the area retains that name today. The town of Three Forks, MT is slightly southwest of this place on today’s maps. Elevation 4,081 feet. Exit 278 off I-90 today. An even smaller mining town lies less than a mile downstream from the Missouri. Its name, Trident. I should think Trinity would have come to the mind also.
Those who love trout fishing in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains can close their eyes and imagine the swift-flowing streams so clear that they seem to magnify everything between the surface and the rocky bottom creating an optical illusion. Water refracts light differently than air and objects appear to be closer than they really are. Those who have not seen mountain rivers can remember Robert Redford and Brad Pitt trout fishing in the movie, “A River Runs Through It.”
Lewis’ river party was about twenty miles behind Clark and his overland party. Clark has seen a wild horse before reaching the three forks. It was healthy and not about to be caught by four men with sore blistered feet. Horses were really the reason for their wanting to connect with the Shoshone. I’m surprised that the sighting of the horse did not ignite great relief and joy in the wearying travelers. A simple sentence recording its sighting is all that is mentioned.
The men continue to enjoy the fresh berries of the summer as a tasty supplement to their meat diet. Much as it is still today, deer are more abundant than any of the other species of big game. Elk are found in smaller numbers, a bear is seen and no bison and the “white pudding” the men enjoy from the bison fat.
What keeps coming to mind is the natural occurrence of three rivers combined to make one mighty one. Attributes of all three are similar. Characteristics are similar, but courses are different. Substance is the same, clean, pure life-giving water. Three Forks, Trident and my name, Trinity.
Father, Son and Holy Ghost. Three manifestations of the substance of God. Same clean, pure life-giving water. Same attributes of holiness, omniscience and omnipresence. Different manifestations in creation. All God. One God.
An infinite mystery beyond our carnal comprehension, but not beyond our observation of its revelation. In the confluence of three equal, yet separate, mountain streams begins the flow of a river whose journey is life to those who look to it for sustenance. That is the call of God for us always. Look to Him for His provision of all things necessary to life and living.
posted by @2007 Dick Cinkovich | 1:36 PM
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