The famed Lewis & Clark expedition of 200 years ago is coming alive with the help of a Kenworth truck, a special tour exhibit and two owner-operators from Roswell, N.M.

Denver and Shanna Cain, aided by their wide-cab 2003 Kenworth T2000, are in charge of transporting the "Corps of Discovery II: 200 Years to the Future." The mobile U.S. National Park Service exhibit commemorates the 200th anniversary of Meriwether Lewis and William Clark's journey up the Missouri River and beyond to the Pacific.
And, just like the original Lewis & Clark journey, the Cains are doing the trip in four years with numerous stops across the United States.
The cross-country trek traces the explorers' 3,700-mile route, stopping -- to the date -- at historically significant sites along the way. All told it will cover 18 states plus Washington, D.C., from January 2003 to October 2006.
The Cains are contracted to Legacy Transportation Services, the Mountain View, Calif., company hired by the National Park Service to manage the exhibit and its logistics.
Legacy modified a 53-foot furniture van to carry the Corps II cargo, which consists of three spacious circus-style tents and the lights, audio-visual and HVAC equipment to support their operation. The centerpiece is the "Tent of Many Voices," a 150-seat performance auditorium.
Beverly Dygert, Legacy's project manager for the Corps II tour, said the Kenworth T2000 and tour trailer -- adorned with graphics -- have to be kept clean and look sharp. "That's one of the reasons we bought the T2000. It has that streamlined look," added Denver Cain. "It's a professional's truck and it presents a powerful image for the exhibit."
The Corps of Discovery II tour commemorating the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition will make 24 stops and visit seven states this year.
For more information about the exhibit and tour locations, contact the National Park Service at (402) 661-1804.