Jan...since you waterski'd on Lake Dardanelle, are you aware that the site of the original Dwight Mission (now in OK, I believe), was covered when that Lake was made by the creation of the Arkansas One Project. I never knew that, until they did a memorial to that, and to that location being part of the Trail...I believe a historical marker was placed there (seems there was a memorial service with folks from both the Eastern and the Western Cherokee present). Please, correct me if I am wrong....or add to what I have written if I've missed something. Also, in regard to the Water Route...there is a memorial to the loss of many CHerokee lives, from Chlorea (as I recall), on one of those trips. Michael Walkingstick told me where it is, but forgive me if the detail skips my feeble mind. It's close to us as well. My parents moved from AL to WI when I was 6 years old....and there is so much I am just now (or within the last 10 years or so) learning. I visited my grandparents in AR, and my Aunt and Uncle who remained there. But, it is my only living Aunt from that generation who tried to keep the family history alive. When I lost my last Uncle, from that generation.....and she began to shows signs of age....and losing her memory....I decided I needed to step up to the plate. But, there were so many things I never knew...and have now only found out about my Grandmother Voss.....from her daughter (my aunt's) because she helped care for my grandmother in her last years of fighting colon cancer. Her visits to the sick with the local doctor; her herbal treatments, and healng potions; her gift of riding horses (not sidesaddle); and her independence from male dominance. Shee was a tall woman, six feet or over...but as big as she was, that's as gentle as she was. A God fearing, reverent woman...who was led by her beliefs and also believed in protecting those who were weaker than her. Tracing her family....and still tracing is what has brought about the links to the Cherokee.....back generations....to the early 1800's. I am told I am very much like her....not in medical healings, but emotional (social work was my field....with domestic violence and sexual assault). My role with the state wide coalition against sexual assaul (WCAS)t, was to advocate for the services in this state to be made available to women of color....all colors. I know what it's like to be discriminated against too...as you are, when you carry predominant white characteristics, in a native world. But, when you know in your heart that you carry the memories of all who came before you....and that you revere your connection with the earth, the 2 leggeds, 4 leggeds, winged, and creepy crawlers. Well, then you know what you find in your Christian church is not enough. That's what led me out....on a spiritual quest as well. So....I find that with the caretaking attitude handed down from the ancestors, and the spiritual beliefs in the bible. I know there is so much more to be revealed, and learned. jes