On the Trail: Stop 7 – Rock Creek Station

Crossing into Nebraska, Rock Creek is the next most popular stop. Going off of google maps, because it’s difficult to find sources that give actual distances, it would have taken a couple days to get here from Hollenberg. Well and truly on the prairie now, Rock Creek station is currently best known as the placeContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 7 – Rock Creek Station”

Dinner at 1800: Watrouskis

In case you are wondering what Watrouskis is . . . I am too. So is Google. And ChatGPT. Seriously. This word seems to only exist in the Fanny Farmer cookbook and a random 1960 cookbook (which has almost the same ingredients but a completely different cooking method). I may or may not have partiallyContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Watrouskis”

Quiet Mornings

Okay, so first of all, this is a judgment free zone. Second, I know there are a lot of issues with AI, but there are some things that I’ve learned it can actually really help with – case in point, I asked it to help me create a social media growth plan based on myContinueContinue reading “Quiet Mornings”

On the Trail: Stop 7 – Hollenberg Ranch

Hollenberg Ranch/Station is a later stop on the Oregon/California Trail. Later as in, not established until 1857 (some sources say 1858, but most agree on 1857), so near the end of the peak of the trail traffic. Some original sources called it Cottonwood station, since it was near Cottonwood creek. The Hollenbergs hit the jackpotContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 7 – Hollenberg Ranch”

Dinner at 1800: Minced Pie Take Two

Remember that awesome Dinner at 1800 I did for Christmas? Where I bent over backwards to find strange ingredients? Well, if you watch my Instagram version, you’ll notice there really isn’t a way for me to include such trials in my format…which is why I’m playing around with the idea of a DIFFERENT format movingContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Minced Pie Take Two”

Christmas at 1800: Mincemeat Pie

I delayed my Dinner at 1800 this month so that I could make a Victorian Christmas meal! And then I read a few Christmas menus and decided that I would do just one recipe. Seriously, people. Would you like to know at least one source for what a 19th century Christmas dinner would be?? “ToContinueContinue reading “Christmas at 1800: Mincemeat Pie”

On the Trail: Stop 6 – Alcove Spring

One of my absolute favorite stops! Probably because I heard about it so much during my research. Then again, even the National Park Service Auto Tour Guide mentions that it “has been called the most significant historic site on the Oregon Trail within the State of Kansas.” Somewhere between 165 and 179 miles from IndependenceContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 6 – Alcove Spring”

Dinner at 1800: Baked Mush

Let’s see, what is simple enough that it’s okay if a baby constantly interrupts but a little more questionable than the last few things I made? Because it’s been awhile since I’ve made Daniel wince. . .Keep on reading and don’t forget to check out the accompanying Instagram reel. Baked Mush The Harvey House CookbookContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Baked Mush”

On the Trail: Stop 5 – Red Vermillion

If there is one thing that is mentioned in most guidebooks and diaries, it is the Vermillion River! It was about a day’s travel from the St. Mary’s Mission or 120 miles from Independence. A major river crossing for the emigrants, it provided excellent camping, was a good source of wood and water, and wasContinueContinue reading “On the Trail: Stop 5 – Red Vermillion”

Dinner at 1800: Circling-Up Doughnuts

Let’s be honest, it is highly doubtful that this exact recipe was made on the trail, despite being in the Oregon Trail cookbook. In all my research, I have yet to read that someone brought cream of tartar with them…but at the same time, the recipe is simple enough that I bet there were variationsContinueContinue reading “Dinner at 1800: Circling-Up Doughnuts”