Anyone who has played The Oregon Trail game knows the dangers of river crossings. How many of us have not lost an axle, supplies, or a “family member” during one of those crossings? Well, that game was probably more accurate than we’d like to think. River crossings were one of the more dangerous and fearedContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: River Crossings”
Tag Archives: Oregon Trail
On the Trail: Independence, MO
Jumping off points courtesy of The National Frontier Museum For as long as I can remember, I have thought about Independence, Missouri almost synonymously with the Oregon/California Trails. I knew it was the main jumping off town and I was one of those strange people who dreamt about seeing it one day. I didn’t evenContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Independence, MO”
Dinner at 1800 Tidbits
Why no actual Dinner at 1800 today? Because when this post goes up I’ll be overseas! So, I thought I’d leave you with some interesting facts and clarifications I’ve received from readers about the recipes I’ve made. From Janelle S.: Fried Cakes: [This] was a bit more authentic than you imagined. The livestock they traveledContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800 Tidbits”
On The Trail: Pony Express Re-Ride
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”
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”
Dinner at 1800: Fried Cakes
But wait a second? You promised us Camp Bread!! I know, I know. Don’t freak out. It’s the same thing. I promise! So, this is a recipe in a letter from Narcissa Whitman to her sister in 1836, and I have access to it courtesy of The Oregon Trail Cookbook by Leslie J. Whipple. ButContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Fried Cakes”
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”
Dinner at 1800: Fricasseed Chicken
I openly admit it – I cheated a little on this recipe. You see, the recipe said to singe the chicken and then cut it into pieces. A google search told me that singing the chicken was to help get the last of the feathers out, so that seemed an unnecessary step. And, although IContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Fricasseed Chicken”
Forest Idylls 