Where Pioneers Walked

During this month when we think of some of the great heroes of our country, I also remember those pioneers who settled the West.  One of my most memorable moment when I was on vacation was a visit to the Oregon Trail near Baker City, Oregon. The Interpretive Center was filled with dioramas of life on the trail, there was a live show with songs of the era, and a fiddlers music exhibition.

Original and rebuilt wagons were on display on the grounds. Looking down into the valley twin ruts from the wagon trains wove through the countryside. Then following the highway a bit, my brother-in-law took a turn off, and with just a short walk I was able to walk down those ruts made so many years ago. A  hawk circled overhead, the raspy sound of grasshoppers, a crow calling and a bee weaving its way among the sagebrush blossoms seemed to intensify the silence.  I was transported back to that era long ago.  Closing my eyes I could almost hear the wagon wheels rumbling , the cattle lowing, and children running and playing as the train moved along.

They walked for 2,000 miles...men, women, and children by the tens of thousands. These pioneers followed the Oregon and California Trails to find new lives in the West. Mothers, fathers, and children walked with their wagons across endless prairies, scorched deserts, craggy summits, and swollen rivers. Days were hot and nights were bitter cold. Often, they fought starvation, and for five months straight they marched as far as twenty miles a day.


Despite the distance and perils, over 300,000 departed from Missouri. Between 1810 and 1860, approximately 60,000 of those pioneers came to Oregon, mainly to find farmland.  But there was a terrible cost.     

Oregon-California-Mormon Trail Deaths

Cause	Estimated deaths
Disease	6,000–12,500
Indian attack	3,000-4,500
Freezing	300–500
Run overs	200–500
Drownings	200–500
Shootings	200–500
Miscellaneous	200–500
Scurvy	300–500
Totals	9,400–21,000

These hearty folk knew the dangers, but were willing to make the sacrifice for a better life.  They knew that it would require hard work even death. They did not subscribe to today's Entitlement Mentality. How many of us would undertake such a journey?  If today's society would emulate just their attitude, it would be a better world.  

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1. Are you planning anything for Valentine's Day?

As a matter of fact I am scheduled for a mammogram.

2. What song automatically popped into your head when you saw this question?

Love is a many Splendored Thing.

3. What did you have for breakfast today?
I skipped breakfast because I was going to a birthday party after church and there would be a lot of food.

4. Where do you keep your keys?
In my purse

5. Who was your favorite teacher from when you were in school? 
I pretty much liked them all, but my Civic's teacher, Mr Graham, when I was a Junior in High School was probably the coolest. He made the study of government and our responsibilities seem important