The diary of my trip out west
By: ElizaBeth Norwood
Started Jan. 1847
Jan. 8, 1847
Pa announced today that we would be moving to Oregon. We will be leaving after the last snow to make it there in time for fall planting. Dad says there is land so fertile it’s begging to be planted. I’m scared and nervous, too. Mom is pregnant and dad says we can’t wait until she has the baby. Opportunity awaits our family!
Independence, Missouri
March 10, 1847
We are waiting at the corner of the courthouse for more wagons to show up. We have to form a wagon train to protect ourselves from the indians. mAma haad to leave all of her heirlooms behind at home. She couldn’t even bring the beautiful clock her great, great grandmother brought from scotland. I snuck my favorite doll onto the wagon because pa said there was no room for toys.
March 11, 1847
Our first night on the trail was interesting. The rivets in the ground we so deep from all the wagons that came before us. We camped near a flourmill run by river power. The river is called the blue river. One of the members of the Mcclain party was bitten by a rattlesnake and died. I’ll be sleeping with one eye opened from now on.
March 30, 1847
We used the ferry to cross the kansas river. Two brothers ran the operation by using two canoes with poles to carry the wagons. The river was swift and deep. The animals had to swim. It cost .10/man, .25/mule and $4/wagon. I realized how quickly we could lose all of our belongings. The brothers said they ferry about a thousand wagons a year. They must be rich from all those pioneers.
April 15, 1847
We passed a rock today that looked like a castle. There it stood like a lone soldier in the prairie. I’ve been watching it for a few days. The closer we got the bigger the rock became. It’s been the only scenery in weeks. The grass has turned brown on account of the lack of rain. It’s been so dry that my eyeballs need watering.
May 1, 1847
It’s been so hot, but we finally go the relief we’d been praying for! Rain! Big beautiful raindrops fell for hours. The thunder shook the ground and said, “Wake up and have a drink!” the animals were spooked, but I calmed them down.
May 15, 1847
Fort laramie
I’ve never seen anything quite like this. It’s made of mud and called adobe. We were traveling along, not expecting a thing when we found it. We bought more supplies and camped next to the river. I’ve been thinking about home, and although I miss it, I am thankful I have my family. I realize that’s what home is all about.
July 4, 1847
Independence rock
Happy 4th of july! What a perfect place to be on our country’s holiday. We have been here for a few days celebrating around this massive rock. It’s 3 acres in size and the biggest thing I’ve ever seen. I feel like jonah in the whale. Pa let me carve my name in the side as so many before me have done.
July 15, 1847
Sweetwater river crossing
My biggest fears have become a reality. Indians attacked our camp last night. I hid in the wagon and the adults fought them off. We buried the dead this morning. I made crosses for the graves out of tree branches and reeds from the river.
July 30, 1847
We are traveling through a narrow pass today. We saw a sign that said continental divide someone carved into a tree. That means we are in the oregon territory. The long days have passed without notice, but knowing we are getting close has me excited with anticipation.
August 4, 1847
I have never seen water so blue as steamboat springs! Wow! The water would shoot out of the rock and it sounded like a steamboat whistle. It was very hot and smelled bad so we couldn’t camp there. With every hill and mountain we pass I feel as we reach the peak that I will overlook my new home. I know we aren’t there yeet, but I picture the golden sun shining on it like a halo blessing the land.
August 10, 1847
I had forgotten how juicy and tender fresh vegetables were. We stopped at fort hall today and found heaven. My diet of bacon, bacon, biscuits, and bacon has left much to be desired. I believer we could make our fortune opening a store! We paid .50/pint of sugar, and .33/pint of rice. I could tell it pained ma to pay that much! Ma looks as if she might bust. I wonder if I will have a new brother or sister?
August 13, 1847
Valley of grande ronde
We are so close that I can almost taste home. We found a valley covered in berries. Pa says we are going to stay here for a few days and prepare to end our trip. I am so anxious that every minute spent in this valley feels like a year. The berries are wonderful, though.
August 20, 1847
Barlow road is a toll road into willamette valley- our new home! Instead of floating the columbia river, we decided to take the toll. It is so steep that we could only slow the wagon by roping it to trees and inching it down the mountain. Mount hood is visible in the distance. It’s so big and different from the mountains back east. It makes me feel like an ant in an ant hill. We’ll be home tomorrow!
August 21, 1847
We are home! It’s even more beautiful than my dreams. I haven’t seen pa smile in months, but today he was grinning from ear to ear. I know the good lord has blessed us with a perfect opportunity. Ma can have her baby in our new home. I wonder if I will ever go back east. I know I won’t be going any time soon! That was some trip!