PIONEER TRAVELS
By: Sushma S.
click here for the definition of a pioneer
WHAT'S IN A PIONEER'S WAGON
A covered wagon or as pioneers called them "prairie schooner" had a canvas cloth on top with 4 wheels on the bottom. The wagons reminded pioneers of sailing ships known as schooners.
The wagon was packed with supplies for a 3-5 month journey. Inside the wagon there were wooden hoops with hooks on them to hang guns, milk cans, spoons, bonnets, jackets, dolls and anything else.
Most of the treasures were luxury items and usually didn't make the journey.
COMMON MISTAKES
Pioneers dealt with the weather, diseases, trail and common mistakes. A kind of common mistake is the lack of experience in basic skill such as not knowing how to drive a wagon well or slipping when you go down hill. The results of common mistakes are serious injuries, broken bones, and sometimes even death. Inexperience caused wagons to ' BUNCH UP' making it difficult for them to move. There were constant problems keeping the wagons and other tools in working order. Animals would drift away or be stolen from the train too.
The Oregon Trail
Walking on a trail was very hard, but pioneers determinedly walked the 2,000 miles across the country. One of the reasons they had to walk was because the wagons were completely full. The second reason is riding in a wagon was bumpy and unpleasant.
During the long walk across the country shoes became tattered and torn from walking many miles. Their feet were cut and always seemed to be bleeding because of the bad condition of their shoes, but they were still determined to make it to Oregon City, Oregon.
Landforms along the Oregon Trail are mountains, rivers, and deserts.
Many died along the trail to Oregon by accidents, diseases or by some unusual faith. Graves lined the Oregon Trail.
click here for info on real pioneers