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April 20, 1848 [] Weather: warm Health: good Pace: strenuous Rations: meager Our supplies: oxen 6 sets of clothing 2 bullets 18 wagon wheels 1 wagon axles 0 wagon tongues 1 pounds of food 1485 money left $210 3 comments|post comment

April 18, 1848 [] Weather: warm Health: good Food: 1405 pounds Next landmark: 119 miles Miles traveled: 185 miles From the animals I shot, I got 970 pounds of meat. However, I was only able to carry 100 pounds back to the wagon. I suppose if we had an extra day to spare, I could have spent more time carrying meat to the wagon because it seems silly indeed to waste 870 pounds of food. Hopefully someone will discover the buffalo while it is still fresh. Remind me that I have to teach these kids the value of pulling their weight around here when we get to Oregon. post comment

April 17, 1848 [] We had no trouble floating the wagon across. What a relief. I think I have improved my caulking skills. post comment

April 17, 1848 [] Weather: warm Health: good Food: 1415 pounds Next landmark: 0 miles Miles traveled: 185 miles We had quite a scare yesterday when Anna Mae got lost. That silly girl would lose her head, I tell you. Everything is fine now as we have made it to the Big Blue River crossing. I am a bit worried after our last river-crossing endeavor in which we tipped over and lost 8 sets of clothing, among other things. We will rest here before setting off again. 6 comments|post comment

April 14, 1848 [] Weather: warm Health: good Food: 1445 pounds Next landmark: 23 miles Miles traveled: 162 miles One of the oxen is injured. post comment

April 11, 1848 [] Weather: cool Health: good Food: 1475 pounds Next landmark: 83 miles Miles traveled: 102 miles We set off on our journey after a filling breakfast of flapjacks on the griddle over the fire, but then we lost the darn trail and lost two days. I was unable to shoot any food. Those squirrels are much too fast for me, the little devils. post comment

April 9, 1848 [] I am distraught over that wagon mishap back at the river. I hope I can get accepted over at wtf_user_info2 because it would give me something to do to distract myself from my worries and the thoughts of the long, long road ahead of us. 1 comment|post comment

April 8, 1848 [] The wagon tipped over while floating. We lost: 8 sets of clothing 1 wagon wheel 2 wagon axles 1 wagon tongue Drat! post comment

April 8, 1848 [] Weather: warm River width: 626 feet River depth: 4.5 feet I have to decide if we should attempt to ford the river, caulk the wagon and float it across, take a ferry across, wait to see if conditions improve, or get more information. Well, there is a river and we have to cross it. I do not need more information than that. I do not foresee conditions improving unless the river dries. A ferry is nice but expensive and I am but a carpenter with limited resources. Fording the river is always an adventure, but I would hate to lose my vast store of supplies, so I think we best caulk the wagon and float it across. I hope we reach the other side safely! post comment

April 7, 1848 [] Weather: warm Health: good Food: 1515 pounds Next landmark: 0 miles Miles traveled: 102 miles We reached the Kansas River crossing. I looked around. It is nice and blue and green here, water and grass. Grass is good for the oxen, so they can eat. We will set off strenuously after a day of rest, a coffee and some bacon. I am tired of buffalo for now. post comment

April 5, 1848 [] Weather: cool Health: good Food: 1440 pounds Next landmark: 42 miles Miles traveled: 60 miles A thief came during the night and stole 48 bullets. I sized up the situation and decided to hunt for food since the animals are more plentiful out here on the plains. I got a buffalo but I was only able to carry 100 pounds of food back to the wagon. I do not know why these dag blasted kids do not help me carry the food back to the wagon. They will wish they were more helpful when we are out west on bare bones rations. We will set off on a grueling pace tomorrow morning. post comment

April 1, 1848 [] Weather: cool Health: good Food: 1500 pounds Next landmark: 102 miles Miles traveled: 0 miles From Independence it is 102 miles to the Kansas River Crossing. Billy was colicky last night and I am beat tired but I had some coffee and we set off for Oregon at long last. I was unable to shoot any food. post comment

March 31, 1848 [] Today we took the kids with us to Matt's General Store to purchase supplies for the trip. It was expensive but I think it's best to start the trip with at least three yoke of oxen. Sometimes they wander off or die so it's best to have more than you think you might need, or at least that's what Pappy always said. That was $120 right there. Then I had to get food, flour, sugar, bacon, and coffee. I got 1500 pounds, which is a lot but I do not wish to hunt all the time, especially when you get out west and stand there for a long time hoping to even see a jackrabbit. I got extra sets of clothing so the children do not die of exposure out there. Total bill: $590. I tell you. We'll set off early tomorrow, before dawn if we can get Billy up and dressed early enough. post comment

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