On our way to the Tetons we came across a beautiful town named Montepelier, Idaho. We went to the Oregon Trail Museum there, and learned that the town used to be the mid point for settlers between Independence, MO and the Oregon Territory (includes what would become Oregon, Idaho, Wyoming, California).
We learned we would be traveling for 6 1/2 months. We would need a wagon, 6 oxen, 20 lbs of coffee, 10 lbs of gun powder, a gun for every man woman and child, and food/water for the trip. The cost would be $1,500.00 -- $18,500 in today's dollars! The wagon weighed 1,000 lbs and we would be allowed to take 1,000 lbs with us.
Everybody walked. They slept under the wagon if it rained. Sometimes they had to throw their prized possessions (like china, crystal, furniture) out of the wagon if the hills were too much for the oxen.
All in all we are, once again, grateful to be cruising along with our horses under the hood and the air conditioning on!
The museum tour was conducted by "settlers" in period costumes and included a ride in a Conestoga Wagon (done hydraulically), stories, music and information about what it was like to travel the trail.
It was delightful!
No comments:
Post a Comment