Don Popejoy

Don has always loved American history, especially that of the Pacific Northwest. His first two years of higher education were spent at Whitman College in Walla Walla before graduating from Eastern Washington State College of Education (EWU) with a dual major in U.S. and Pacific Northwest history and a dual minor in psychology and sociology.

Currently, Don is involved with the Oregon/California Trail Association and his passions extend to the Lewis and Clark Trail Heritage Foundation. As a member of both organizations he has represented them as a trail guide, board member, newsletter editor, national membership chairman, trail marker and preservationist. He also teaches American history, through the Spokane Community Colleges Extended Learning Programs, and for nearly 17 years has lead, coordinated and instructed Road Scholar/Elderhostel programs around the country. He has also lent his expertise on expeditions along the Lewis and Clark Trail for 15 years. 

During his “off-season,” Don leads private tours out of his hometown, Spokane, Washington under the name “Columbia River Connections.” He is no stranger to Lindblad-National Geographic either, as he has been onboard as guest speaker/historian on the Columbia and Snake Rivers expeditions extensively.

From 2006 through 2008, Don worked on a major history project: “Cultural Conflicts 1858 - The Spokane Indian Wars 150th Commemoration: 1858 – 2008” which was commemorated from March through October, 2008. He later authored a book with co-author Penny Hutton in November 2010, entitled “Early Spokane: 1800-1945,” which was published by Arcadia Press. Don continues to write, and his current projects include the following books: “Lewis and Clark in Washington State,” contributing author on the “Mullan Military Road,” and “Columbia River Connections: A Field Guide to Regional History and Geology.” 

Don's motto is “History is a trip, take one soon.”