But with joy

We often hear stories about the hardships and trials of the early pioneers. Yet most of the companies made it through without major incidents or setbacks. Almost all of them report about the singing and dancing that went on at the end of the day. Sure, it wasn’t easy. But it wasn’t always miserable either — they just don’t have the exciting stories!

 

All the amenities

I know what the back of a minivan can look like after a weekend trip to the coast with the kids. Can you imagine the back of a Conestoga after a months-long trip across the plains?
 

Sketchbook: Share the trail

One of our axioms in the transportation world is, "Share the road." There's room for cars, pedestrians, bikes, trucks, skaters — whatever. Transportation is for everyone!

The overland trails across the American west were probably much the same. Lots of wide open country with room for horses, oxcarts, Conestogas, handcarts and the occasional stampede of bison. Gotta yield right of way to the bison!
 

Back on the road again

It had to be tough for the pioneers. There was no AAA, so what did they do if their wagons broke down and needed repairs?
 

Happy trails to you

As I was drawing this, I couldn't decide whether this took place on the Oregon Trail or the Mormon Trail. There's a distinct lack of dysentery, so I lean toward the latter.
 

Sketchbook: On the wagon

As we enter in to Pioneer Day joke season, I like to remind myself that it wasn't all fun and games. It was serious stuff that set the saints on the road to Zion; these were real people facing difficult challenges, going forward with faith.

Sketchbook: Growth of the Church

Reminds me of the LDS churches in Provo, one next to another, each one larger than the first.
 

Keeping pace

The upside of using handcarts was they they were less expensive than wagons and could travel more quickly across the plains ("quickly" being a relative term). The downside was that they were limited in how much they could carry and didn't provide much shelter from the elements— plus there was a lot more walking involved.
 

Sketchbook: Hitch 'em up!

When we hear of wagons crossing the plains, does anyone besides me think of red Radio Flyers rolling across Nebraska?

Learning on the road

Road trips are always good for practice time behind the wheel. Or reins. 

Notes from the trail

On this date in 1847...

Sketchbook: Flyering in to Zion

I read a factoid recently that said that most Mormon pioneers didn't come by handcart. Most came by covered wagon, by horse, or some other means.

The more you know.