We are leaving Independence for free land. Well, that's what Marlee and Nick are leaving for. I am too, but I am also going because of the slavery and crowding in the eastern part of America. Hopefully, all of us will make the trip to Oregon. ...Todd 1839

We are a pretty wealthy family looking for free land. We heard about the Oregon Trail. We thought it would be a great idea. Marlee Herkelhoke, her dad, Todd and her husband Nicholas and our baby Jeffery would be going on the trail. We bought 14 ox. To save some money we made our wagon and harness. We would need to buy a lot of supplies. It may be a dangerous trip to take, but we need the money to buy stuff for our wonderful baby. ...Nicholas 1839

My name is Katherine. My two brothers and I are leaving for the west. Tim is going for the good hunting. Travis is going for two reasons: hunting and free buffalo "chips". Today we woke up, did all that was planned and then some. After lunch many of our friends came by with presents and good wishes, for we all knew we would never see each other again. ...Katherine

Today we got stuck in the mud. How do you get a wagon out of the mud was the question? Do you know? First you lighten the load and try to get it out. If that does not work, you double-team the animals. If that does not work, you triple team the animals. I hope it works. But if it does not, put grass and weeds in the mud to make it so it is not so smushy. That should work, or at least I hope it does. ...Jesse

This is our first day on the trail. It is 1849. Our team is me, Nathan, Brandon and Danielle. We are all children with one mom and dad. We got our own wagon. We are leaving because we don't have a lot of money and we need more land. Our land is too rocky. ... Nathan G.

It was fun on the Oregon Trail. I got sick a lot but I did not die. Nathan died, so we gave him a proper burial. When we got to the fourth map, Brandon got poisoned and he almost died but I got some medicine and he got better. ...Danielle 1849

Along the way, Mrs. Campbell showed us how to make butter. Good thing we brought the cow on the wagon trail.

To make butter you need to have a female cow. You milk it and use the cream at the top. They you put it in a cup and shake it until it is all creamy. You can add salt to make it tastier. ...Marlee Herkelhoke 1839

Today I didn't do a real lot because I was on the Internet e-mailing people. The boys told me that Austin had died. All I did was fish a little. ....Marlee 1839 & 2000

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Twelve wagons of fifth graders headed out for Oregon in March. They recorded their progress in journals. (selected entries have been typed and added to this page)

Going on the Oregon Trail was fun, except for that we never made it to Oregon! But on the way there were lots of changes and disadvantages, like runaway wagons, wagons tipping over, people getting sick, getting stuck in the mud, drowning and stuff like that. We always seemed to have food and water and if we didn't, we found some. Once I almost made it to Oregon but then I died. I was so mad! But otherwise it was fun and I would like to do it again...Amber J.

Of all the wagon trains, I think our is the luckiest. We should be almost half way there and everyone is in good health. I think we will make it, but it is starting to get really cold. We should have enough blankets and matches and stuff. Besides, we are coming to a fort and we have two hundred dollars. There is no way we will die. I think. ...Trevor 1847

This is how you make a fire in the prairie without any wood. First you need buffalo chips and flint and steel. Then you dig a pit and put the buffalo chips in. Next you strike the flint and steel and start a fire. ...Ryan H.

Today on the side of the trail we saw some of the graves from the other people on the trail. Their names were Bill Wilson, John James, and one that said Bob, that is all. We slowly moved on and forgot about it. Then after a while my brother jumped off the wagon and broke his leg. Then a person in a different wagon got a gunshot wound and now it is dark out so I am going to sleep. ...Jake

It's really cold out but I have my winter clothes. I think we should go hunting. Ahhhhhh! A bear is attacking me, but I got away from him. I don't think I like hunting that much. ...Jordan P

Today I have jumped from the Oregon Trail to being a scorekeeper in a Quiz Bowl game! I believe my team name is the Brainy Monkeys! (Later) ...The Brainy Monkeys have won all their games so far. We got second place. ...Oh No! I'm leaping back. ...I'm in my wagon now, and I am wondering why this happened. I will stop writing now, and try to figure this out. ...Stephanie 1847 & 2000

I hope that my family will see Oregon. But we are poor. I hope to be rich. Amber and I do not hunt very well. Michael is a good leader. He is also a good hunter. We have traveled 1,348 miles. Two of the people that were riding died of cholera. We are almost there. The people in the train are whining about too much of the cold. I can't do anything about it either. I just want to throw them off the wagon train so bad they would go flying to the moon. ...Christopher

We learned what a tipi is made of today. The main covering is made of buffalo skin, most of the time. But first, the buffalo skin must be smoked and tanned to let in light but nothing else. Riding equipment, weapons and ammunition are stored north of the door. Eating utensils, food, and fuels are stored south of the door. There is comfort in a tipi: there are willow rod backrests and the sleeping pelts are made of buffalo skin too. Since the Native Americans are so conservative, the made most of their tipi out of buffalo. Even though they look flimsy, they can take an awful lot of rain and snow. In conclusion, I think I would like to live in a tipi. ....Tim V. 1847