Katie and Tommy are not only twins but best friends. They are excited about visiting their grandmother for a week during the summer. Grandmother is always fun to be with and tells them the most interesting stories. You never knew for sure what she was going to do, but it was always fun. When they arrive, Grandmother told them they are going on an adventure this week.

“Oh boy,” exclaims Tommy. “Where are we going?”

“We are going west!” she replied with a smile.

Katie and Tommy exchange confused glances. Grandmother lives on the coast of Oregon. How can they go west? They’d be going into the Pacific Ocean! She laughs at their expressions and tells them they will be traveling with their ancestors over a hundred and fifty years ago.

First she pulled out an album of old pictures. She pointed out Granny Taylor on her mother’s side and Great Grandpa Isaiah on her father’s side. “Even though they came from different parts of the country, their families felt drawn by the stories of the west. Granny Taylor was eleven years old when she made the long trip. She kept a journal during the entire trip and wrote about the everything that happened. She even wrote down the words to the songs they sang.”

“Wow, can I read the journal, Grandmother?” asked Katie. “I wander what it was like for her? What was her name? She was too young to be Granny!”

Tommy snickered, but then got serious. “How did they get there? I don’t think they had cars back then, did they?”

Now it was Grandmother’s time to laugh. “No,” she answered, “they didn’t have a SUV like you do, In fact, their wagons may have been smaller than your SUV and they had to carry supplies to last them many months plus start their new home when they arrived! And Granny’s name was Amelia.”

“That’s Mother’s name!” the twins exclaimed together. Then Grandmother took them to the backyard and they saw a fire laid out in a campfire ring and a brand new tent.

“We’re going to rough it this week and live like our ancestors did.”

“But what are we going to eat?” asks Tommy. He was a growing boy and always hungry.

“You’ll be surprised how much you can cook over a campfire!” Grandmother reassured him. “But don’t worry; I might have to sneak into the kitchen to bake your favorite brownies.”

As she led them back inside and informed them that they would need to change clothes for their adventure. She had long dresses and bonnets for Katie and herself and britches and a shirt for Tommy. Soon they were all dressed and ready to begin their adventure.

They returned to the backyard and Grandmother prepared to light the fire. But before she did, she pulled a old book out of one of her big apron pockets. “Katie, this is Amelia’s journal. There is a song in the beginning that I think you two know. Why don’t you sing it for me?”

Tommy looked over Katie’s shoulder as she opened the book. As he read the first words he said, “Oh, yeah. We learned this one in school last year!” And he began to sing…

From this valley they say you are going
We will miss your bright eyes and sweet smile
For they say you are taking the sunshine
That has brightened our path for a while

Come and sit by my side if you love me
Do not hasten to bid me adieu
But remember the Red RiverValley
And the cowboy who loved you so true.

Preparing to Hit the Trail

 

 To go on a trip, you have to plan and prepare. These people were not jumping in the car and taking off on a nice paved highway. There were no motels, grocery stores or MacDonald’s along the way. The trip would take them almost 2000 miles across the prairie and mountains.  Why do you think you would want to make this difficult journey? What will you need to take? What will fit in the wagon?

Using the websites listed below, answer the questions on your first What Can I Learn sheet. 

You will then need to decide if you will select oxen or mules to pull your wagon before you hit the trail.