Wesward expansion was took place mostly because of curiosity about places never traveled and the need to have your own land. Routes to the west were hard and long. The pioneers had to cross the Great Plains, a vast grassland in the center of the country.

Weather was always a problem when you were traveling in a canvas covered wagon pulled by a team of oxen or mules. Sometimes water was scarce, other times it made crossing a river impossible. The wagon and large number of sheep made the journey a slow one. Often the rough terrain would cause wagon parts to break too.

At night the pioneers made a circle with there wagons to keep them safe from indian and animal attacks. In the center , they would eat and chat. Usually they were exhausted from there trip and tried to get to bed as early as possible.