The map in the current title page, (which also may be found in the accompanying page “The Oregon Trail” if you happen upon this post at a later time,) depicts the route of the Oregon Trail. This wagon trail brought settlers from the midwest to the fertile fields westward through the late 1800s. Like a river as it followed the path of least resistance, past several mountain ranges, and always in a day’s ride of feeder streams, it was comparable to the other great explorations of North America. On the map, it is the red arrow; the purple arrow is European exploration via the Pacific Ocean; orange arrow is Russian exploration south to Northern California (Fort Ross;) and the blue arrow is Spanish exploration northward.
The trip generally was done in wagons, driven by ox, mule or horse. A family’s entire worldly possessions, and provisions for the trip, were moved slowly westward. At best, it took 140-150 days to reach the west coast. Today, it took me 4-5 days. That’s progress! (Note that the Transcontinental Railroad had been built by 1870 and connected the east and west coasts. However, a northernly railroad interconnecting system was not in place yet.)
The modern freeway system closely follows the original route. So, in my wagon-train of 18-wheelers, with my essential provisions and possessions on board, I headed west like a modern-day pioneer. Overnighting freely or cheaply in Wal-Mart, Cabela parking lots and campsites, I traveled towards the setting sun, always with an eye out for what I could call new home grounds, just like the originals. (Many wagon trains did not go all the way to Oregon. Some stopped and settled new lands along the way — how the west was won.) I made it all the way to the Oregon Coast, where I have stayed for the past week.
Next week, I drop off my rig for some minor repairs in California, and then on to Texas for a little R&R. Be sure to check out the extra page The Oregon Trail found in the Main Menu.