I deviate once again from my regularly scheduled programming to share something about Pony Express! Why, you ask? Well, not only do I have plans to write a book placed on the Pony Express at some point, but it is a natural point of interest since the Pony Express trail was placed along the CaliforniaContinueContinue reading “On The Trail: Pony Express Re-Ride”
Category Archives: California/Oregon Trail
On The Trail: Diary Entry Inspiration
Instead of my typical post giving you information about the trail, today I’ve decided to do something different just for fun. I’m going to share a few specific parts of my manuscript (that, yes, I am still querying) that I pulled from actual diary entries. Wagon Construction: “He’d assured them the canvas was covered inContinueContinue reading “On The Trail: Diary Entry Inspiration”
On the Trail: Food
Food may be one of the most fascinating topics of the trail. Then again, it’s me. I love cooking. And I have my whole Dinner at 1800 thing…so maybe I am biased. Nevertheless, I shall proceed. Anyone who has studied the trail knows there is the basic list of supplies that emigrants were supposed toContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Food”
On the Trail: Clothing
Okay, you all know that if I have one favorite aspect of history, fictional or otherwise, it is CLOTHING. So, you’d think that talking about clothing on the trail would be easy for me, right? NO. Actually, this was one of the harder things for me to find because, for some weird reason, people talkContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Clothing”
On the Trail: Causes of Death
When traveling the Oregon/California Trail, there was one thing that was consistent among all of the plaques and museums and books and guides…and that was how INCONSISTENT they were on the number of people who traveled the trail. Seriously. We saw numbers that ranged all the way from 100,000ish to half a million. Honestly, itContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Causes of Death”
On the Trail: Schedule
So what was a typical day like on a wagon train? Well, of course, just like everything in life, it varied depending on the wagon train and master. But IN GENERAL: Emigrants rose around 4:00 AM and had around an hour to make breakfast (and often extra for lunch), coffee, pack up the wagon, andContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Schedule”
On the Trail: Livestock
You’ll often see movies or modern pictures or even many modern books depict horses drawing the Prairie Schooners (or Conestoga wagons – but you’ve already heard my rant on that) out west. Or, even if they have oxen in place, drivers may be up on the seat with the reins. Well, it is my absoluteContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Livestock”
On the Trail: Wagons
The most common misunderstanding when it comes to wagons is the type. The type of covered wagon used is a misconception that is addressed in almost any book talking about the trail, yet is so widespread that most people still think of Conestoga wagons when thinking about the Oregon/California Trail. I even recently saw anContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Wagons”
On the Trail: Jumping Off Towns
In any search regarding the Oregon/California trails, you’ll probably come across the term “Jumping off place” or town or city, or you know, something similar – the key part being “jumping off”. It’s such a commonplace term for anyone looking at the overland trail, that it took me awhile to realize not everyone knew whatContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Jumping Off Towns”
The Overland Trails: Overview
I know what you are all thinking: “Um, Jacinta, you promised us a part two of that AMAZING historical fashion overview…what on earth is this?? I’ve been on pins and needles ALL WEEK waiting to see how fashion changed once it hit the 1850s!” Don’t worry, I haven’t forgotten. Part 2 is coming next month.ContinueContinue reading “The Overland Trails: Overview”
Forest Idylls 