When I started the Trail To Oregon, the research and thousands of facts and depressing incidents was almost overpowering. Getting into the wagons with them, fording the Rivers and walking barefoot with them was a struggle. They were sleeping in wagons laden with food and furniture, children and clothing, guns and forgotten belongings buried under blankets and animal feed. Their lives were fragile and the perils from nature and other men cost the lives of ten percent of all the travelers as they struggled from Missouri to Oregon. I wondered at first what kind of story I could extract from the bare facts, from the perilous threat the pilgrims presented to each other. But the courage of the men and women that walked across the states barefoot, that starved and bled and struggled, told me their stories as I searched their dark sunken eyes. They were possibly the bravest Americans very much like the men that fought alongside General Washington except the bravery and courage was shared by the women that shouldered most of the work. I was drawn into the struggle and felt the anguish when their children died, when a woman was accidentally shot. When mothers chewed leaves from the trees and fed the food to their husbands and children. Their tattered clothes hung like potato sacks on gaunt bodies long before Oregon was in sight as they clutched their rifles and bibles praying for the strength and endurance to survive and keep the children alive. Wooden crosses dotted the trail where weak, sick and unfortunate souls succumbed to sickness, accidental shootings, and the treacherous River crossings. The overland trail to Oregon was not for the meek or faint of heart, even the healthy and robust found prayer a necessity to bolster their strength for the months it took to reach Oregon. Come and share their courage, walk with us.

Discusses The People And History Of The Oregon Trail.

The Oregon Trail is the gripping account of Francis Parkman's journey west across North America in 1846. After crossing the Allegheny Mountains by coach and continuing by boat and wagon to Westport, Missouri, he set out with three companions on a horseback journey that would ultimately take him over two thousand miles. Map.

The anthology "60 WESTERNS: Cowboy Adventures, Yukon & Oregon Trail Tales, Famous Outlaws, Gold Rush Adventures" encapsulates the essence and ethos of the American frontiers, offering an exploratory journey through the diverse terrains of Western literature. This collection is remarkable not only for the breadth of its geographic and thematic scope but also for the variety of its literary styles, including adventure tales, reflective narratives, and depictions of historical events. The selected works engage deeply with the complexities of frontier life, reflecting on the themes of bravery, exploration, conflict, and the relentless pursuit of freedom and prosperity. Standout pieces within the collection vividly reanimate the rugged landscapes of the American West, making tangible the untamed spirit of its inhabitants and the period's cultural ethos. The contributing authors and editors to this comprehensive collection bring a wealth of perspectives to the evocation of the Western experience. Comprising icons such as Mark Twain, Jack London, and Willa Cather, among others, the anthology intersects with critical historical, cultural, and literary movements spanning the tumultuous Gold Rush era to the mythic storytelling of the Yukon. The magnitude of contributing talents provides a panoramic view of the West, delving into its legends, its hardships, and its enduring allure. Collectively, their works offer profound insights into the transformation of the American landscape and identity. "60 WESTERNS" invites readers to traverse the rich and varied landscapes of Western American literature. Each story, drawn from a unique voice and perspective, weaves together a broader narrative of struggle, survival, and triumph against the backdrop of some of history's most defining moments and locales. This anthology stands as an indispensable resource for students, historians, and literature aficionados alike, fostering a deeper appreciation for the multifaceted tapestry of Western American culture and the narrative potential it holds. Through engaging with this extensive collection, readers are given the unique opportunity to explore the frontiers of human experience, guided by some of the most influential voices of American literature.

Beth Horn profiles over 50 day hikes teeming with botanical treasures in this handy and colorful guidebook.

* Color over-view map and compact size for stashing in a pack or jacket pocket * Includes a quick guide to the hikes that lists outings by features such as walks or hikes to hidden beaches, along bay spits, to lakes, or across sand dunes * Sidebars explore the natural history, flora and fauna, and geology of the area Undulating sand dunes, primeval forests, rocky headlands, remote beaches: the wild Oregon coast is impossible to resist. In this updated guide, Bonnie Henderson points you to the 120 best outings in the region, from the Columbia River in the north to the Winchuck River in the south, right by the California coast. Hikes range from an easy beach walk to a multi-day trek of the Oregon Coast Trail. For each outing, you'll find clear driving directions along with a comprehensive trail description covering distance, difficulty, terrain, best time to go, and more. You'll find suggestions for other outdoor activities, such as tidepooling, cycling, wildlife viewing, and camping, to help make the most of your time at the beach.

#1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • #1 Indie Next Pick • Winner of the PEN New England Award “Enchanting…A book filled with so much love…Long before Oregon, Rinker Buck has convinced us that the best way to see America is from the seat of a covered wagon.” —The Wall Street Journal “Amazing…A real nonfiction thriller.” —Ian Frazier, The New York Review of Books “Absorbing…Winning…The many layers in The Oregon Trail are linked by Mr. Buck’s voice, which is alert and unpretentious in a manner that put me in mind of Bill Bryson’s comic tone in A Walk in the Woods.” —Dwight Garner, The New York Times A major bestseller that has been hailed as a “quintessential American story” (Christian Science Monitor), Rinker Buck’s The Oregon Trail is an epic account of traveling the 2,000-mile length of the Oregon Trail the old-fashioned way—in a covered wagon with a team of mules—that has captivated readers, critics, and booksellers from coast to coast. Simultaneously a majestic journey across the West, a significant work of history, and a moving personal saga, Buck’s chronicle is a “laugh-out-loud masterpiece” (Willamette Week) that “so ensnares the emotions it becomes a tear-jerker at its close” (Star Tribune, Minneapolis) and “will leave you daydreaming and hungry to see this land” (The Boston Globe).

DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Pacific Northwest will lead you straight to the best attractions this beautiful region has to offer. This newly updated guide covers all the major cities, from Portland, Oregon, to Seattle, Washington, to Vancouver, British Columbia, and provides all the insider tips you need, whether you want to kayak on Lake Ozette in Olympic National Park or go shopping in downtown Seattle's Columbia Center. Explore the culture, history, architecture, beaches, and scenic walks area-by-area. Discover DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Pacific Northwest. Detailed itineraries and "don't-miss" destination highlights at a glance. Illustrated cutaway 3-D drawings of important sights. Floor plans and guided visitor information for major museums. Guided walking tours, local drink and dining specialties to try, things to do, and places to eat, drink, and shop by area. Area maps marked with sights. Detailed city maps include a street finder index for easy navigation. Insights into history and culture to help you understand the stories behind the sights. Hotel and restaurant listings highlight DK Choice special recommendations. With hundreds of full-color photographs, hand-drawn illustrations, and custom maps that illuminate every page, DK Eyewitness Travel Guide: Pacific Northwest truly shows you what others only tell you. Series Overview: For more than two decades, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides have helped travelers experience the world through the history, art, architecture, and culture of their destinations. Expert travel writers and researchers provide independent editorial advice, recommendations, and reviews. With guidebooks to hundreds of places around the globe available in print and digital formats, DK Eyewitness Travel Guides show travelers how they can discover more. DK Eyewitness Travel Guides: the most maps, photographs, and illustrations of any guide.