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This lecture, titled The Great American Desert, focused on several expeditions by explorers to this area and what kind of impact it had on the plains region. In this lecture, several of the men who wrote about the plains associated it with romantic glory, much like Herbert Eugene Bolton and his idea that the Conquistador felt his mission was one that was enveloped in romanticism. Dr. Isern Discussed the Coronado Expedition and his obsession with finding the 7 cities of Cibola. The significance of Coronado's expedition was the fact that it was the 1st European exploration of the Plains, and the Spanish really loved the picturesque look of the plains. The French also had pioneers cross through the plains region, as Pierre and Paul Mallet, Etienne Veniard de Bourgmond, among others crossed this area. However, it wasn't until Pierre Gaultier de Varennes and Sieur de la Verendrye expedition when the French saw what would become the northern plains of North and South Dakota. After hearing about all of these explorers, I began to wonder about how many diverse people were on the Great Plains and it surprises me that not too many of these explorers maintained a presence here, besides the French and British forts that dotted the plains region. The Corps of Discovery was also very important, as Lewis and Clark made the first ever U.S. expedition to the West Coast. What makes me question why this region was called the Great American Desert was all of the stories that explorers brought with them that told of a vibrant landscape, teeming with wildlife and beautiful scenery. Even today, I believe that the Great Plains is one of the most beautiful regions in the country. As I mentioned in class, I feel that if you live in mountaineous territory, it seems like you are boxed in and there is nothing else but mountains everywhere. On the plains, you can see all around you and I guess, in my opinion, you have a more intuitive sense of your surroundings.