Requirements for Journal Entries:
- Date
- Topic Sentence
- Three or MORE details
- Required content for the day's entry
- Closing
- Signature
Example Journal Entry
Dear Journal, April 7th, 1847
Pa says we're gettin ready to head to Oregon Country so that we might get ourselves some of that good farming land. Ma isn't real happy about moving away from her hometown, but I am starting to get slightly excited! I am afraid of this long and dangerous journey. I am thankful that I get to take along the doll my grandmother made for me before she passed away last summer. My little brother Joey is bringing along his blanket and ma is bringing her fine china that has been passed down through her family. I am so afraid that once we start our journey that Joey might get hurt or lost. He's a wandering type, and not very good at following directions! And I will certainly miss my friends from home. My best friend Elizabeth says I must write to her everyday.
Yours,
Abigail Wright
Pa says we're gettin ready to head to Oregon Country so that we might get ourselves some of that good farming land. Ma isn't real happy about moving away from her hometown, but I am starting to get slightly excited! I am afraid of this long and dangerous journey. I am thankful that I get to take along the doll my grandmother made for me before she passed away last summer. My little brother Joey is bringing along his blanket and ma is bringing her fine china that has been passed down through her family. I am so afraid that once we start our journey that Joey might get hurt or lost. He's a wandering type, and not very good at following directions! And I will certainly miss my friends from home. My best friend Elizabeth says I must write to her everyday.
Yours,
Abigail Wright
April 7th, 1847
Tell about each member of your family. Describe what they look like, their age, and what they do as a member of the family. Tell why you and your family is traveling to Oregon, what items your family plans to bring with them, what some of your fears are, and what you will miss most from your home.
April 8th, 1847
Today was a big day! You and yer' family did all yer' supply shopping to head west to Oregon Country! That's excitin' stuff. Anywho, tell about the supplies you purchased today. Tell what you're most excited about buying and why. Do you agree with all the supplies that were purchased, or are you worried you may not have gotten enough...or maybe too much!
May 1, 1847
Your pack horses are rubbed down and ready and your oxen team in place. Your belongings are packed. Your food rations carefully secured. Many of the parties in your wagon train are already lined up and ready to move out. But you still have to get one more vital item: your drinking water!
Will you top off your kegs from the drinking water available here at Independence Camp? Or wait until you get to the next stop this evening?
Journal Entry: Tell what your families decision was. Did you top off yer kegs or decide to wait? Why did you make that decision. What did the other members of your wagon train decide to do? Tell what happened to your family and every one else after the decisions were made?
Will you top off your kegs from the drinking water available here at Independence Camp? Or wait until you get to the next stop this evening?
Journal Entry: Tell what your families decision was. Did you top off yer kegs or decide to wait? Why did you make that decision. What did the other members of your wagon train decide to do? Tell what happened to your family and every one else after the decisions were made?
May 20, 1847 - The Narrows
Progress has slowed to a crawl in this bottle neck between the Little Blue River and the bluff on its east bank. There is barely enough room for a single wagon to pass. Even the cattle have to go through in single file.
One of your party has been bit on the ankle by a rattlesnake. Is it deadly? You've tried every know remedy to try and heal the wound in a frantic attempt to keep his leg. Should it be sawed off with a common handsaw to be saved? What is your remedy?
Decision: The Rudd Family is so upset about their little Cindy Rudd, they have decided to give the poor girl some whiskey to numb the pain as well as using gun powder and burning the bite to hopefully draw out the poison.
Journal Entry: Tell about the days events. Describe where you are and what happened to Cindy Rudd. What did their family decide to do? Do you agree with their decision? Or would you have done something differently? What do you think will happen to Cindy?
One of your party has been bit on the ankle by a rattlesnake. Is it deadly? You've tried every know remedy to try and heal the wound in a frantic attempt to keep his leg. Should it be sawed off with a common handsaw to be saved? What is your remedy?
Decision: The Rudd Family is so upset about their little Cindy Rudd, they have decided to give the poor girl some whiskey to numb the pain as well as using gun powder and burning the bite to hopefully draw out the poison.
Journal Entry: Tell about the days events. Describe where you are and what happened to Cindy Rudd. What did their family decide to do? Do you agree with their decision? Or would you have done something differently? What do you think will happen to Cindy?
June 10, 1847 - Midway station
Alas you are midway between Fort Kearny and Fort Laramie looking out along the banks of the beautiful Platte River...where wildflowers dance in the wind on the shore and tufted islands dot the river's bubbling path.
Young and old alike take this opportunity to shed weeks of prairie dust in the river's clear cool waters, while others change the oxen, barter for supplies and refill your water kegs. What will you do to rest up here?
Journal Entry: Tell what your family decided to do to rest up. Talk about what some of your friends decided to do to rest up. Talk about your fate. Are you happy for your decision, or is there something you would change?
Young and old alike take this opportunity to shed weeks of prairie dust in the river's clear cool waters, while others change the oxen, barter for supplies and refill your water kegs. What will you do to rest up here?
Journal Entry: Tell what your family decided to do to rest up. Talk about what some of your friends decided to do to rest up. Talk about your fate. Are you happy for your decision, or is there something you would change?
June 23, 1847 - The South Platte
The South Platte. Shallow.. Doesn't move too fast. And has gentle banks. Easy as pie, right? NOT! This body of moving water is a mile wide. There are no trees or broken branches to put under the wheels. And the river bottom is quicksand! Imagine how fast your wagon wheels will sink to the hubs in that stuff! How are you going to get through this one? Any ideas?
Fate: You sink!... almost. You didn't know that you couldn't go straight across. Here you learn a lesson about how cross a river. First you traverse the river diagonally down with the current, then halfway across you have to turn back up against the current - sometimes adding another half mile to the traverse. This time you ended up paying a Frenchman to help you out...a tin of sugar and a tin of flour out of your supplies . Needless to say, everyone is very tired and a bit out of sorts.
Journal Entry: Tell about and describe the Platte River. What were your options for crossing it? What did your family decide to try? Tell about the event in detail.
Fate: You sink!... almost. You didn't know that you couldn't go straight across. Here you learn a lesson about how cross a river. First you traverse the river diagonally down with the current, then halfway across you have to turn back up against the current - sometimes adding another half mile to the traverse. This time you ended up paying a Frenchman to help you out...a tin of sugar and a tin of flour out of your supplies . Needless to say, everyone is very tired and a bit out of sorts.
Journal Entry: Tell about and describe the Platte River. What were your options for crossing it? What did your family decide to try? Tell about the event in detail.
July 6, 1847 - Horse Creek Crossing
Crossing this creek has been easy. Another plus...plenty of driftwood along the banks for firewood tonight. This is a gorgeous valley surrounded by steep precipitous hills.
However, you notice that you've stumbled right into a large Indian encampment: your first encounter with so many Indians. You are curious and a bit fearful. After all, you are crossing through Indian territory. You have heard stories of Indian hostility towards emigrants as well as friendly and helpful encounters too.
Suddenly, several Indians on horseback come storming up. They're faces are painted, and they're carrying weapons. Through an interpreter you learn that they are demanding a large payment for passing through their land. The current treaty of 1851, makes payment for passage unnecessary. But this band of Sioux is demanding 1 healthy oxen per wagon in addition to a tin of sugar or pound of bacon each! That's a heavy price! And, it is not even within the treaty guidelines! Especially since your animals and food supply are already dwindling drastically.
Decide as a group what you will do next! You must all agree (consensus ) or your indecision will take your fate from your hands...
Option 1: Trade and hope for peaceful travel?
Option 2: Attack immediately?
Option 3: Take a stand and defend?
Option 4: Risk meeting with their leader and negotiate
Fate:
Option 1: By trading as requested you are given peaceful travel for the moment. You have no guarantee that another group won't come and make more demands. You send scouts ahead, post guard, and pray.
Option 2: By attacking immediately, you have lost many lives. Indian and emigrant blood is spilled like water. This disastrous decision by everyone has caused nearly all your livestock to run off leaving you only a mixture of oxen, mules and horses left to limp your wagons along to Ft. Hall for your next purchase.
Option 3: By taking a stand to defend you lose many lives of men, women, and children. So many of the Indian and emigrants have wounds, that it will take weeks to recover and you lose valuable time on the trail. Fear among the surviving emigrants mounts as they begin to dread arriving in Oregon during the winter snow season.
Option 4: Your decision to risk a meeting was successful. You learn from the negotiations that the Indians are making these demands because many are in need of food. You negotiate to give several head of cattle, donate a large quantity of flour and beans. From this meeting you are given safe passage within the boundaries through these Indian lands.
Journal Entry: Tell in detail about the events that happened today. What choices did you have and how did you reach a decision?
Crossing this creek has been easy. Another plus...plenty of driftwood along the banks for firewood tonight. This is a gorgeous valley surrounded by steep precipitous hills.
However, you notice that you've stumbled right into a large Indian encampment: your first encounter with so many Indians. You are curious and a bit fearful. After all, you are crossing through Indian territory. You have heard stories of Indian hostility towards emigrants as well as friendly and helpful encounters too.
Suddenly, several Indians on horseback come storming up. They're faces are painted, and they're carrying weapons. Through an interpreter you learn that they are demanding a large payment for passing through their land. The current treaty of 1851, makes payment for passage unnecessary. But this band of Sioux is demanding 1 healthy oxen per wagon in addition to a tin of sugar or pound of bacon each! That's a heavy price! And, it is not even within the treaty guidelines! Especially since your animals and food supply are already dwindling drastically.
Decide as a group what you will do next! You must all agree (consensus ) or your indecision will take your fate from your hands...
Option 1: Trade and hope for peaceful travel?
Option 2: Attack immediately?
Option 3: Take a stand and defend?
Option 4: Risk meeting with their leader and negotiate
Fate:
Option 1: By trading as requested you are given peaceful travel for the moment. You have no guarantee that another group won't come and make more demands. You send scouts ahead, post guard, and pray.
Option 2: By attacking immediately, you have lost many lives. Indian and emigrant blood is spilled like water. This disastrous decision by everyone has caused nearly all your livestock to run off leaving you only a mixture of oxen, mules and horses left to limp your wagons along to Ft. Hall for your next purchase.
Option 3: By taking a stand to defend you lose many lives of men, women, and children. So many of the Indian and emigrants have wounds, that it will take weeks to recover and you lose valuable time on the trail. Fear among the surviving emigrants mounts as they begin to dread arriving in Oregon during the winter snow season.
Option 4: Your decision to risk a meeting was successful. You learn from the negotiations that the Indians are making these demands because many are in need of food. You negotiate to give several head of cattle, donate a large quantity of flour and beans. From this meeting you are given safe passage within the boundaries through these Indian lands.
Journal Entry: Tell in detail about the events that happened today. What choices did you have and how did you reach a decision?
July 12, 1847 Register Cliff
Phew! Breathless, hot, and sweaty... Here you've been following the "hill" road outside of Fort Laramie. Finally, your wagon captain has decided to call a short halt to rest your animals at the base of this landmark named Register Cliff.
Hey kids, while the parents are busy watering and grazing the stock, Melissa Knight invites all of you between 8-14 years old to scramble up the cliff and engrave your initials into the soft rock at the top. Will you stick close to the wagons or follow the others up the hill?
Fate: (For those who stayed close to the wagon) You safely and promptly begin walking along side the dusty trail. You will be safe tonight. (For those who decided to follow Melissa) You never asked your parents for permission to climb to the top! They didn't even know you had gone. So when the wagons begin to move, nobody misses you. They just think that you will fall-in beside the trail as you've always done. But, of course, you don't. You're accidentally left behind - lost with Melissa and the rest... Considering the danger from local Indians what will you do? How will you find your families again? You must all meet and decide your plan.
Journal Entry: Describe Register Cliff and your day resting your animals at the base of the cliff. Tell what happened to the children and the plans that were made to either get back to the parents or to get your children back!
Hey kids, while the parents are busy watering and grazing the stock, Melissa Knight invites all of you between 8-14 years old to scramble up the cliff and engrave your initials into the soft rock at the top. Will you stick close to the wagons or follow the others up the hill?
Fate: (For those who stayed close to the wagon) You safely and promptly begin walking along side the dusty trail. You will be safe tonight. (For those who decided to follow Melissa) You never asked your parents for permission to climb to the top! They didn't even know you had gone. So when the wagons begin to move, nobody misses you. They just think that you will fall-in beside the trail as you've always done. But, of course, you don't. You're accidentally left behind - lost with Melissa and the rest... Considering the danger from local Indians what will you do? How will you find your families again? You must all meet and decide your plan.
Journal Entry: Describe Register Cliff and your day resting your animals at the base of the cliff. Tell what happened to the children and the plans that were made to either get back to the parents or to get your children back!
July 17, 1847 Reshaw's Bridge
Thankfully, you sent scouts back and the children were found, cold, tired, and hungry, but alive! Now another obstacle...Torrential thunderstorms slash down on you for days. Not only is the trail muddy and the contents of your wagon soaked, but this deluge has caused the creeks and rivers to flow high and fast. And now you've reached one of the biggest rivers of all: the North Platte. The good news is that there is a bridge that crosses the North Platte here. It's called the John Richard Reshaw Bridge. But it costs $5 a wagon to cross it and $1 for each animal. (How much money do you have left?) If you can't or won't pay the toll, you can risk waiting until the storm subsides and the water level drops to then ford the river. What will you do?
Journal Entry: Describe the river. Are you afraid to cross it? What options did your family discuss? What was your decision? What were the decisions of your friends? Did you pay the toll, or cross on your own. Describe crossing the river as well as how you felt once you and your family were across.
Journal Entry: Describe the river. Are you afraid to cross it? What options did your family discuss? What was your decision? What were the decisions of your friends? Did you pay the toll, or cross on your own. Describe crossing the river as well as how you felt once you and your family were across.
September 8, 1847 Massacre Rocks
You see the evidence of recent Indian hostilities. Burned wagons. Oxen sculls and a few graves. You almost had to turn back, but you didn't. There were several violent attacks here in the past few months but things may have calmed down. You hope. You pray.
This area was named because of its two rock masses that leave just enough of a gap between them to allow the passage of emigrant wagons in single file. It's a natural place for an Indian ambush. What will you do? Don't try to cross without a plan. Did you make one at Fort Hall?
Fate:
Indians were in the area and did see you coming. They saw that you were prepared for a fight, and decided you weren't worth the trouble.
Safe Passage to:
1.) Scouts sent up ahead to check the trail.
2.) Armed travelers on the driver's bench or even on top of your wagon.
3.) Armed riders on horseback bringing up the rear for protection.
4.) Anyone who is prepared to trade.
Journal Entry: Describe Massacre Rock and what you see around. Tell about your feelings. What happened here? What was your plan? Did it work?
This area was named because of its two rock masses that leave just enough of a gap between them to allow the passage of emigrant wagons in single file. It's a natural place for an Indian ambush. What will you do? Don't try to cross without a plan. Did you make one at Fort Hall?
Fate:
Indians were in the area and did see you coming. They saw that you were prepared for a fight, and decided you weren't worth the trouble.
Safe Passage to:
1.) Scouts sent up ahead to check the trail.
2.) Armed travelers on the driver's bench or even on top of your wagon.
3.) Armed riders on horseback bringing up the rear for protection.
4.) Anyone who is prepared to trade.
Journal Entry: Describe Massacre Rock and what you see around. Tell about your feelings. What happened here? What was your plan? Did it work?
October 12, 1847 Trail Decision 3
This is the last place for supplies before you cross the Cascade Mountains and reach your destination. It's a great time to get rid of things that will be too heavy for the wagon or that you won't really need. (It's best to travel as light as possible over this snow-packed range.) And it's a good time to purchase or trade for fresh animals or maybe even a canoe.
If you wish to get rid of items, post a sign with their prices on your wagon and see if you get any nibbles from other travelers. (Kind of like a wagon train garage sale.) Then use the extra cash to buy what you need.
But H-O-L-D ON! Before you decide what to buy, sell or trade, you must decide how you're going to get over this last and most treacherous of passes. Here are your three choices:
DECIDE HERE
1. Take the Barlow Toll Road.
The Barlow Toll Road costs $100 per wagon. You can take your livestock, too. The toll company has blazed the trail around Mount Hood to facilitate passage (that's why it's so expensive). But it's still a dangerous trip. Especially now - with the first snows starting to fall. The trip over the pass usually takes several weeks. Before you decide you should know this.
Warning: There have been reports of parties who've frozen to death, been buried by avalanches and even some who's just mysteriously disappeared.
2. Canoe down the Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge is one of the widest, most rapidly moving rivers in the country. But the canoe trip can save you several weeks of travel. Don't worry - the Indians here have been canoeing it for centuries. They'll charge you $45 to guide you down. And you'll have to rent their canoe at $40. You can only take what you can pack on your back. So you can either give away or sell everything in your wagon. Or you can have one of your party drive it over the Toll Road while the rest of you take the Gorge. You can also pay someone to drive it over the Toll Road and meet you at the other side...if you can find someone you trust. The trip takes several days instead of weeks and is free from the risk of freezing blizzards. (Maybe)
Warning: The Indians make it seem like this is a simple trip. But they've been doing it all their lives. The current in the river is extremely fast...and the water is very cold. There are several rapids, waterfalls, and there is even a 3 mile portage where you must get out and carry everything - including children and canoes.
3. Wintering near Whitman Mission
Many an emigrant has opted to stay the winter near Whitman Mission and continue their trek in the spring. You can rent a leanto on the Mission grounds for $35 a month. (That doesn't include meals.) You can even sleep in your wagon for a few more weeks until freezing temperatures prevail. If you can afford to wait here, you'll lose first chance at some of the prime Wilamette Valley parcels. But you'll probably avoid freezing to death or drowning.
Warning: Staying here can get very expensive. You must pay for lodging and food will probably cost you about $20 a week. There is little to do here all winter, so you may be tempted to spend more than you should to interrupt the boredom. If you're broke by the time winter is over, you won't be able to afford the Barlow Toll. You'll never make it to the beautiful Willamette valley. There are many reports of hostile Indians.
Special student note: Those of you that have extra food or clothing may donate it to this mission for future destitute travelers.
FATE: The Barlow Toll
Gate Wasco County, Oregon
Mile 1857
The day you reach the Barlow Toll Gate, everything is perfect. A welcoming late Indian Summer sun beckons you into the beautiful pass. You kill a few deer which provide fine fixins for over a week. You even find the last of an acre of wild berries ripening behind a sheltered ridge where the ground still thinks it's summer. The trail is wide, dry and well maintained. For a while it seems as if nothing could go wrong.
Until one day the sky suddenly turns black, heavy and close. Within hours you experience something you haven't seen in many months -snow. At first it's fun. The horses perk up. The children frolic in it. And the mother's dig out the woolly wraps. But the snowfall gets heavier and heavier by the hour. It becomes so thick you can barely see the wagon in front of you. And then so thick you can barely see the animal pulling your wagon. This is when you all decide to huddle you wagons and wait out the storm. You wait. And wait. And wait. A fire in the center of the circle keeps provides enough warmth to keep you all from freezing to death. But your animals aren't close enough to it. You hear a giant roar in the middle of the night which you assume is an avalanche. The next morning, when the storm clears some, you send two scouts (pick two from your group) on ahead to assess whether the road is passable.
For those who Canoed down the Columbia Gorge Cascades of the Columbia
Hood River County, Oregon
Mile 1860
You make good time from the Whitman Mission to Hood River, Oregon. Unlike the climate on the top side of Mount Hood, this protected valley in the mountain's shadow is warm and moist. The Indians whom you hire as guides are very friendly and very generous. They prepare a delicious meal of venison, corn, and wild tree fruit for you on the eve of your departure. The next morning a warm Indian Summer sun reflects brightly off the glistening Columbia Gorge as you prepare to leave. In fact, The Gorge, with it's carpet of red and gold Indian Paintbrush (a wildflower) along its banks is one of the most breathtaking rivers you've ever seen.
The first day is fun. You've never traveled so fast on anything in your life! And the children are beside themselves with glee! You port your canoes at a riverside camp safely that evening and snack on the left-over venison that your guides have packed for you.
The second day you have to portage (climbing over huge boulders along the riverbank carrying everything!) for over three miles to avoid crashing over a 300-foot waterfall. Your feet are sore. Your muscles are aching. And the children whine incessantly. You arrive at camp in the dark and the rain, too exhausted even to eat.
On the third day the rapids become more furious. One of your canoes crashes against the rocks spilling its passengers into the cold, churning waters and splintering the canoe into thousands of pieces. Unfortunately, your guides hadn't prepared for such an accident and you now have two too many people to cram into the remaining canoes. You must choose two from your party who will set up temporary camp and stay behind. Once the rest of you reach your destination, one of the Indians will portage back and escort the two who've been left. You pick a prominent point along the river to set up this camp so that the Indians will have no trouble finding the two. According to the Indians, the two of you who stay shouldn't have to wait more than a week.
For those who wintered at Whitman Mission
Whitman Mission
Milestone 1709
After so many days, weeks and months of being on the move, it feels good to stay put for a change. It's a beautiful fall here and you notice things you haven't had time to notice before... The way the wind plays with the golden leaves as she tries to wrench them from their branches; the smell of clean fresh clothes dried in the breeze; the joy of a couple of hours stolen just for reading; how much your children have grown since the day you left Missouri...
Winter doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry. The warm Indian Summer days almost make you wonder if maybe you shouldn't have been so afraid of getting caught in a blizzard up near the top of Mount Hood. But they say the weather can change in a space smaller than a minute. So you finally rent one of those leantos in spite of a price you consider highway robbery. And you don't do it a day too soon.
Snow starts to fall...and fall...and fall. It seems as though it falls every day for a month. You have to take your wagon apart, using the wood to insulate your leanto against the penetrating snow. You eventually eat up every last bit of grain and rice and flour you'd saved. And finally, you had to start killing your animals to survive.
One day, when the weather was starting to take a turn for the better, you decided to go and forage for roots, nuts and berries - anything to keep you going until the warmth of spring brought new hope. So you choose two members, dress them in layers of everyone's warmest duds, and send them out to look for whatever food they can find. It's bright and shimmering the morning they leave, with not a cloud in the sky. Everyone has gained new energy by just thinking of what edible morsels they may find. The women scrub and ready their pans, starting to melt snow on the hearth for what will hopefully be a hearty root stew.
If you wish to get rid of items, post a sign with their prices on your wagon and see if you get any nibbles from other travelers. (Kind of like a wagon train garage sale.) Then use the extra cash to buy what you need.
But H-O-L-D ON! Before you decide what to buy, sell or trade, you must decide how you're going to get over this last and most treacherous of passes. Here are your three choices:
DECIDE HERE
1. Take the Barlow Toll Road.
The Barlow Toll Road costs $100 per wagon. You can take your livestock, too. The toll company has blazed the trail around Mount Hood to facilitate passage (that's why it's so expensive). But it's still a dangerous trip. Especially now - with the first snows starting to fall. The trip over the pass usually takes several weeks. Before you decide you should know this.
Warning: There have been reports of parties who've frozen to death, been buried by avalanches and even some who's just mysteriously disappeared.
2. Canoe down the Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge is one of the widest, most rapidly moving rivers in the country. But the canoe trip can save you several weeks of travel. Don't worry - the Indians here have been canoeing it for centuries. They'll charge you $45 to guide you down. And you'll have to rent their canoe at $40. You can only take what you can pack on your back. So you can either give away or sell everything in your wagon. Or you can have one of your party drive it over the Toll Road while the rest of you take the Gorge. You can also pay someone to drive it over the Toll Road and meet you at the other side...if you can find someone you trust. The trip takes several days instead of weeks and is free from the risk of freezing blizzards. (Maybe)
Warning: The Indians make it seem like this is a simple trip. But they've been doing it all their lives. The current in the river is extremely fast...and the water is very cold. There are several rapids, waterfalls, and there is even a 3 mile portage where you must get out and carry everything - including children and canoes.
3. Wintering near Whitman Mission
Many an emigrant has opted to stay the winter near Whitman Mission and continue their trek in the spring. You can rent a leanto on the Mission grounds for $35 a month. (That doesn't include meals.) You can even sleep in your wagon for a few more weeks until freezing temperatures prevail. If you can afford to wait here, you'll lose first chance at some of the prime Wilamette Valley parcels. But you'll probably avoid freezing to death or drowning.
Warning: Staying here can get very expensive. You must pay for lodging and food will probably cost you about $20 a week. There is little to do here all winter, so you may be tempted to spend more than you should to interrupt the boredom. If you're broke by the time winter is over, you won't be able to afford the Barlow Toll. You'll never make it to the beautiful Willamette valley. There are many reports of hostile Indians.
Special student note: Those of you that have extra food or clothing may donate it to this mission for future destitute travelers.
FATE: The Barlow Toll
Gate Wasco County, Oregon
Mile 1857
The day you reach the Barlow Toll Gate, everything is perfect. A welcoming late Indian Summer sun beckons you into the beautiful pass. You kill a few deer which provide fine fixins for over a week. You even find the last of an acre of wild berries ripening behind a sheltered ridge where the ground still thinks it's summer. The trail is wide, dry and well maintained. For a while it seems as if nothing could go wrong.
Until one day the sky suddenly turns black, heavy and close. Within hours you experience something you haven't seen in many months -snow. At first it's fun. The horses perk up. The children frolic in it. And the mother's dig out the woolly wraps. But the snowfall gets heavier and heavier by the hour. It becomes so thick you can barely see the wagon in front of you. And then so thick you can barely see the animal pulling your wagon. This is when you all decide to huddle you wagons and wait out the storm. You wait. And wait. And wait. A fire in the center of the circle keeps provides enough warmth to keep you all from freezing to death. But your animals aren't close enough to it. You hear a giant roar in the middle of the night which you assume is an avalanche. The next morning, when the storm clears some, you send two scouts (pick two from your group) on ahead to assess whether the road is passable.
For those who Canoed down the Columbia Gorge Cascades of the Columbia
Hood River County, Oregon
Mile 1860
You make good time from the Whitman Mission to Hood River, Oregon. Unlike the climate on the top side of Mount Hood, this protected valley in the mountain's shadow is warm and moist. The Indians whom you hire as guides are very friendly and very generous. They prepare a delicious meal of venison, corn, and wild tree fruit for you on the eve of your departure. The next morning a warm Indian Summer sun reflects brightly off the glistening Columbia Gorge as you prepare to leave. In fact, The Gorge, with it's carpet of red and gold Indian Paintbrush (a wildflower) along its banks is one of the most breathtaking rivers you've ever seen.
The first day is fun. You've never traveled so fast on anything in your life! And the children are beside themselves with glee! You port your canoes at a riverside camp safely that evening and snack on the left-over venison that your guides have packed for you.
The second day you have to portage (climbing over huge boulders along the riverbank carrying everything!) for over three miles to avoid crashing over a 300-foot waterfall. Your feet are sore. Your muscles are aching. And the children whine incessantly. You arrive at camp in the dark and the rain, too exhausted even to eat.
On the third day the rapids become more furious. One of your canoes crashes against the rocks spilling its passengers into the cold, churning waters and splintering the canoe into thousands of pieces. Unfortunately, your guides hadn't prepared for such an accident and you now have two too many people to cram into the remaining canoes. You must choose two from your party who will set up temporary camp and stay behind. Once the rest of you reach your destination, one of the Indians will portage back and escort the two who've been left. You pick a prominent point along the river to set up this camp so that the Indians will have no trouble finding the two. According to the Indians, the two of you who stay shouldn't have to wait more than a week.
For those who wintered at Whitman Mission
Whitman Mission
Milestone 1709
After so many days, weeks and months of being on the move, it feels good to stay put for a change. It's a beautiful fall here and you notice things you haven't had time to notice before... The way the wind plays with the golden leaves as she tries to wrench them from their branches; the smell of clean fresh clothes dried in the breeze; the joy of a couple of hours stolen just for reading; how much your children have grown since the day you left Missouri...
Winter doesn't seem to be in too much of a hurry. The warm Indian Summer days almost make you wonder if maybe you shouldn't have been so afraid of getting caught in a blizzard up near the top of Mount Hood. But they say the weather can change in a space smaller than a minute. So you finally rent one of those leantos in spite of a price you consider highway robbery. And you don't do it a day too soon.
Snow starts to fall...and fall...and fall. It seems as though it falls every day for a month. You have to take your wagon apart, using the wood to insulate your leanto against the penetrating snow. You eventually eat up every last bit of grain and rice and flour you'd saved. And finally, you had to start killing your animals to survive.
One day, when the weather was starting to take a turn for the better, you decided to go and forage for roots, nuts and berries - anything to keep you going until the warmth of spring brought new hope. So you choose two members, dress them in layers of everyone's warmest duds, and send them out to look for whatever food they can find. It's bright and shimmering the morning they leave, with not a cloud in the sky. Everyone has gained new energy by just thinking of what edible morsels they may find. The women scrub and ready their pans, starting to melt snow on the hearth for what will hopefully be a hearty root stew.
October 19th
Fate: Although the broiling river gobbled most of the few possessions you weren't carrying on your back, you arrive at the end of the canoe trip tired, hungry and relieved to be alive. As soon as you port, one of your guides immediately heads back up river with their best canoe to collect the two who were left behind. The last you heard, the guide did find the campsite, where the embers in the stone-built fireplace were still warm. But the two emigrants themselves had completely disappeared. Some say there was talk of bear tracks in the sand around the campsite. But stories often get tangled when translated from Indian Speak.
Journal Entry: Describe the end of your journey, include your feelings about the journey. Do you still think the trip was worth all the trouble? What do you think happened to Mr. Knight and Mr. Rudd?
Journal Entry: Describe the end of your journey, include your feelings about the journey. Do you still think the trip was worth all the trouble? What do you think happened to Mr. Knight and Mr. Rudd?
Summer of 1848 Willamette Valley
You plan a reunion of your entire wagon train to be held in the Black Woods on the edge of the Willamette Valley in late July. The ones who made it over the pass in winter and are now settled in will all be there. Everyone who canoed down the Colombian Gorge will be there with their exciting stories to tell. And those who've just arrived after waiting out the winter near Whitman Mission will be there ready to find out where the best land and best communities are.
Now that you have made it to the promised land, you are ready to start a new life. Who are you? Where have you chosen to live? How will you support your family? Will your children go to school? Is the valley everything you dreamed it would be?
You all enjoy the reunion immensely - although your hearts are sad as you have a short memorial for those you've lost along the way. You each get up and describe your new position and life here in the Willamette Valley. You display your journals on one of the picnic tables for all to share. There's even someone with a camera present who takes a portrait of your entire group, preserving the occasion for the annuls of history.
Congratulations! And welcome to your new life!
Journal Entry : Write up a short description of your new life here in Oregon to share with the other wagon train members at the reunion. And don't forget to bring your journal.
Now that you have made it to the promised land, you are ready to start a new life. Who are you? Where have you chosen to live? How will you support your family? Will your children go to school? Is the valley everything you dreamed it would be?
You all enjoy the reunion immensely - although your hearts are sad as you have a short memorial for those you've lost along the way. You each get up and describe your new position and life here in the Willamette Valley. You display your journals on one of the picnic tables for all to share. There's even someone with a camera present who takes a portrait of your entire group, preserving the occasion for the annuls of history.
Congratulations! And welcome to your new life!
Journal Entry : Write up a short description of your new life here in Oregon to share with the other wagon train members at the reunion. And don't forget to bring your journal.