I have been taking a quick look between homework... I found out WHY there was the rush to land in Oregon. I found what the pioneers were doing a year before they left, to prepare for the journey. I discovered something that rather surprised me -- the wagons were all inspected by the trail masters before they left! To make sure people were bringing what was necessary, to make sure they weren't bringing anything that would be a burden or even a liability (whisky or guns to trade to the Indians). The survival of all depended on the preparation each one made, to be ready to take care of themselves, and feed their families, repair the wagon if necessary (wheels and other things did break).
It was not just an enthusiastic but unprepared group of people leaving for the Oregon Trail -- it was a group of determined, well prepared people who would be able to succor each other in an emergency, but not create needless demands for help along the way.
Explorers leaving Victorian England for a year in Africa couldn't have been more serious or detailed in their preparations, than those overlanders. A lesson to me (maybe to all of us) to be ready for whatever life may throw at you.
Music to match today's blog. Chapters, by Southern Raised, their original lyrics - worth considering.
No comments:
Post a Comment