Ok, now that I've hit 50k, I feel like I need to stop writing all out just to write. I have a good deal of information, some local fact checkers, wikipedia and books and such, but I've always done best using people who know what they're talking about as a primary resource.
I admit that I'm writing an alternate history. There are steampunk elements, but the world, by and large, is that of 1815. Here, for reasons tied in to the small things that did change, the Lewis and Clark expedition hasn't happened. Beyond that, my characters are explorers and adventurers in a world that should largely be ours in 1815. What would Londoners and east coast Americans /not/ have explored as of 1815?
I have several ideas, but more are definitely welcome, as are resources directly related to this subject. Added information about the regions and such certainly welcome, and all help is appreciated.
----------
I seem to have found myself working on a trilogy for my first NaNo. Huh.
2009: Dawn of Steam
Book1: First Light (finished)
Book2: Gods of the Sun (finished)
Book3: House of the Rising Sun (in progress)
24,011 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2009 - 01 25
I figure certain territories, such as the Yukon and Alaska would be largely unexplored.
From my standpoint however, I don't think the Lewis and Clark expedition would alter what was and was not explored. I figure it would more likely affect who owns what. Lewis and Clark were sent to find a way west overland. This led the way to the Oregon and California Trails and settlement.
As is, the Pacific Northwest where we are at was already partially explored by George Vancouver of England (discovered the Puget Sound), Bruno de Heceta of Spain (Explored the Pacific Coast), and Robert Gray of the United States (discovered the Columbia River). Lewis and Clark traced the overland route to the Pacific, but much west of the Rockies was already explored by trappers and Sailors.
In order to create more unexplored area, you need to change the legal status of early early pioneers and explorers. The original 13 colonies were limited to where they were because of British law forbidding westward expansion beyond territory that was already possessed. The purchase of Louisiana territory from France was another deciding factor. No Louisiana in the U.S., not passage to the west coast.
----------"Bearing ourselves humbly before God ... we await undismayed the impending assault ... be the ordeal sharp or long, or both, we shall seek no terms, we shall tolerate no parlay; we may show mercy – we shall ask for none." ~ Winston Churchill, July 1940