Walking 2,000 Miles Barefoot

The Oregon Trail extends from Independence Missouri to Oregon City, Oregon.  This historic trail was the way west for some 300,000 emigrants for more than 20 years.

Because most emigrants grossly overloaded their wagons, few could ride inside. Instead most walked–many made the entire 2,000 mile journey on foot.

Today, the trail traverses approximately 2,170 miles of road and includes 125 historic sites, including many opportunities for walks and hikes.

One walking tour begins at the base of the volcanic Mount Hood, along the mighty Columbia River, past waterfalls leading to spectacular mountain views and meadows filled with wildflowers.

Visit the pioneer woman’s grave near Government Camp, where several trails lead to other historic sites.  You can see a replica of the original toll gate that marked an alternate toll road in operation form 1846 to 1919.

The Oregon Trail is also rich in the history of Native Americans, whose civilization in this region reach back thousands of years.

Visit this great website all about the Oregon Trail.

The First Frisbee – “Buffalo Dung”

If you think frisbees were invented in the 1960s, you’re wrong–by about a hundred years. Children on the Oregon Trail threw frisbee-like devices back in the mid-1800s. But they weren’t made of plastic–they were made of buffalo dung.

During the great western migration, the entire Great Plains region was covered with buffalo chips–they were unavoidable. And yes, kids will be kids and they played with them, throwing them.  I am sure this started when the kids were sent out to collect the “chips” for fuel to start the fires.  How many trees have you seen across the plains?  Not a lot right, well this was the only alternative.  Surprisingly the chips burn odorless.

Weird “Wagons”

On This trek westward there were a few weird wagons.  The first is what is affectionately called the “Oregon-bound airline“.  In 1849 Rufus Porter, founder of Scientific American, planned to fly pioneers to Oregon on propeller-driven balloons powered by steam engines.  200 brave souls signed up for the trip, but the “airline” never got off the ground.

The next was the “wind wagon“.  This was a cross between a wagon and a land sailboat.  This idea got as far as a prototype that briefly raced across the plains at the advertised 15 miles per hour, then crashed.

“Wheelbarrow” wagons were the low-tech approach.  Several dozen people tried this approach and for a little bit could outpace everything on the Trail, but human endurance has its limits. It is uncertain whether any of them made it all the way.

Mormon handcarts were somewhat more sophisticated. Like wheelbarrows, they were human-powered, but handcarts were pulled, not pushed. Thousands of handcarts made it to Salt Lake City, Utah, but there is no record of anyone taking a handcart further west.

If you want a guide check out this one:

Traveling the Oregon Trail, 2nd (Historic Trail Guide Series) During the 1800s, more than 300,000 Americans migrated westward on the famous Oregon Trail. Winding 2,000 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon, this remarkable route led brave pioneers across prairies, mountains, and deserts to the promising lands of the western frontier. Today, more than 150 years after the first emigrants crossed the trail in wagon trains, you can relive their epic adventure with the help of author Julie Fanselow. Written for modern pioneers, this scenic touring guide includes information on: where to go; what to see; what to do along every section of the trail; trail history; present-day attractions; detailed maps and photographs.

Popularity: 16% [?]