The Oregon Trail

April 20, 1848

2005-12-20T04:53:25Z

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

April 18, 1848

2005-12-14T05:05:45Z

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.

April 17, 1848

2005-12-14T05:02:09Z

We had no trouble floating the wagon across. What a relief. I think I have improved my caulking skills.

April 17, 1848

2005-12-10T04:24:33Z

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.

April 14, 1848

2005-12-10T04:21:36Z

Weather: warm
Health: good
Food: 1445 pounds
Next landmark: 23 miles
Miles traveled: 162 miles

One of the oxen is injured.

April 11, 1848

2005-12-10T04:03:31Z

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.

April 9, 1848

2005-12-09T02:57:00Z

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.

April 8, 1848

2005-12-09T02:38:17Z

The wagon tipped over while floating. We lost:

8 sets of clothing
1 wagon wheel
2 wagon axles
1 wagon tongue

Drat!

April 8, 1848

2005-12-09T02:36:58Z

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!

April 7, 1848

2005-12-09T02:32:53Z

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.

April 5, 1848

2005-12-09T02:30:13Z

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.

April 1, 1848

2005-12-09T02:26:45Z

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.

March 31, 1848

2005-12-09T02:19:52Z

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.