Coming from the east into the Rocky Mountain portion of the Oregon Trail was a breeze. No, really! The rise into the Rockies was so very gradual that usually the emigrants didn't even know that they had cleared the continental divide and were on the Pacific drainage side. The Blue Mountains, however, were a whole different experience.
The ascent up the Blues - the first forested land and mountain terrain they encountered in the 2,200 miles that they had crossed - the ascent was heartbreaking for man and beast. The shallow wagons were stacked with goods and furnishings to their canvas-covered ribs and were therefore very top-heavy. Top-heavy wagons didn't take too well to trying a spiral route up the mountains, so the emigrants took the Blues head on.
Some inclines were so steep that it took 20 or more oxen to pull the fully loaded wagons up to the tops. Going down the other side was terribly dangerous because of gravity pulling the heavily loaded wagons down faster than brakes and men hauling back on ropes and animals standing in the way could control. The shattered remains of out of control wagons were found at the bottom of many ravines.
Unbelievably thick and tall old-growth trees covered the Blues. At high noon in the forest it was almost as dark as night. If a traveler lost sight of their wagons for even a minute they may never find their way back. If their livestock wandered out of sight - absolutely essential for hauling these wagons up and down the Blue Mountains - they might be lost forever. The howl of wolves and the snarling of panther set traveler's nerves on edge all night long.
Diaries were kept by travelers of every sort. To me, these diaries are more fascinating than any work of fiction ever produced.
I suppose this blog is my diary of the 21st century. It details the places Granpa and I go and the things that we do - from snorkeling to canning bread and butter pickles to, well, suffice it to say, there is LOTS more for me to share!
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