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Lecture three (The Great American Desert) was primarily about the early discoverers (not including Native Americans) of the Plains. Mention was made of the Spanish conquistadors, such as Coronado who ventured into the Plains in search of gold. He and his party followed an Indian guide, known as the Turk, in search of the city Quivira. The Turk however lead them astray and was ultimately killed by the Spanish for this. Coronado's gang was eventually able to find the city, but it contained no gold or items of interest to the Spanish. Disappointed, they turned and left, resulting in the failure of their mission in Spanish eyes. Although, this helped to begin the discovery and resulting settlement of the new land. The Spanish were not the only ones to explore and move around the Plains, the French did as well. The French were in search of trade with the Native Americans and were therefore motivated to travel around in search of a chance to bargain. the French explorers Verendrye and Varennes came as far as the Mandan villages in North Dakota and even into Western South Dakota. Another topic of discussion was, Euro-centrism, which is the biased thought that Europeans discoverd the New World, which we can see in many old and new forms of literature.
It was particularly interesting when Professor Isern spoke of his theory of Zebulon Pike being a traitor and the X-files of the corp of discovery. It was amusing to hear of the Welsh Indians with blonde hair and blue eyes. Also of interest was the discussion of Meriwether Lewis's supposed son, whom their is record of in the baptismal register in a church in South Dakota.
One thing, that I am wondering about, is why they call the Plains the Great American Desert? I thought it was mentioned that back in the days of exploration that there was less grass and more sandy conditions. However, I cannot recall with certainty that this is what was said. If it is indeed what was said, what changed the environment? Did settlers plant grass upon the Plains?

Fred Lassonde