Wagon Train Song by John Pack :: Tracey's Journal :: Updated June 23, 2009 at 11:20 am
From Brenda Christensen, June 22nd ...
We made it home last night June 21 at 7:00 p.m. We spent Saturday night in Cheyenne WY then left from there Sunday morning. I am having a hard time adjusting back to civilization, but enjoying the wash & dryer and flushing toilet. We miss our wagon train family A LOT. The first thing Raquel did when she got home was take her pony for a little ride, you could tell they really missed them. When we pulled into the yard last night the 3 haflingers started neighing they knew they were home. Tell the wagon train family WE MISS THEM and to have a GREAT DAY. I'll e-mail more later and have Heidi help me send some pictures for the blog. XOXOXO Brenda
Clair's 2009 Trail West Journal
Monday June 1st, 2009
Left Columbus, Neb. This morning had to get up at 2:45 AM, horses were making a lot of Noise. Went to stalls and found 2 missing horses cinnamon and Dina. Daisy was making all the noise. Traveled through town. Lots of people came out to see us, Dina and Daisy pulled the wagon. Raquel rode cinnamon. Traveled about 20 miles to Monroe, Neb. Stayed at a nice 5 acre piece of mowed pasture.
Tuesday June 2, 2009
We left Monroe, Nebraska. This morning it was a little cool. Traveled on
Hwy for about 2 miles. Then went on county roads about 6 miles to the city
of Genoa. Stayed at farm with 2 large country style barns. Found out that
this was at one time an Indian Farm. The two barns were built by the
government for the Indians.
Went back to Monroe in the afternoon to a Methodist church to look at a
picture of Christ that was 6’ tall. It was painted by a local about 70
years ago. Then proceeded to Columbus, Neb. To a store, Tractor supply to
buy odd and end things we needed. It was cloudy all day but never rained,
cool, jacket weather.
Monday, June 8, 2009
Left Grand Island, Neb. The day was overcast and cool. Wind was blowing when we first got up. Traveled on oil then dirt roads. Kept traveling south then west. Could see freeway, 1/8 mile away. Passed area with lots of hail damage to corn. Some was beat down to ground. Arrived in Wood River, Neb. Stayed on City open block next to cement grain elevators and rail tracks with Trains passing by every 15 minutes. Went and filled truck with diesel at Sinclair station for $2.55 gal. Needed 18 gals.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Left Wood River, Neb this morning when we first got up at 5:45 am the sky was a pretty red in the east morning sun rise. Clyde Bradford said to me, “red sky in the morning, better take warning.” We were about ready to leave and it started to rain. By the time we were riding down Main street it was pouring rain. Lots of people looked out of store shops to see us pass by. It rained a lot through the day. In afternoon it stopped and warmed up. Got into camp at about 2:45 pm. Camp was in a co-op grain yard with tracks and trains next to it.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Stayed at town ball park and rodeo arena. Later in afternoon went on drive over to Lexington to find LDS chapel, came back and then went east toward Johnson Lake. Nice area then north back to town.
Sunday, June 14, 2009
Nice day. Ate bacon breakfast and went to church in Lexington, Neb. Started at 10:00 AM got there at 9:52 am. Did not get lost. Chapel was small, it was a ----, 300 members but only about 60 show up. In afternoon went on drive out to freeway in Lexington and stopped at military museum for 45 minutes to see what was there, seeing we are to camp in Lexington, Neb. on Monday.
Monday June 15
Lexington, Neb. From a large town stayed at fairgrounds. Visited J.D. Dealer first and HIC dealer late. Look at equipment with Clyde and Colton. Had tacos for supper that evening storm developed. Tornado watch, hard rains started at 10:30 pm. Lightning.
Tuesday June 16
We made it through the night, another 1” of rain the fairgrounds in Lexington, Neb. Was in pretty good shape, not a lot of mud, no one stuck. It is Heidi’s birthday. She is now 16. It’s great to have her with us out on the trail. Skies were clear, the morning was soggy due to rains during the night. Later in the day high clouds moved in, but temp rose to 85 but there was a breeze of about 5 mph. sang to Heidi, gave her gifts. John Deere things. Mitch bought her an ice cream cake from DQ. It was good. We stayed at Cozad, at a feed lot out of town. Clyde and I went to town to look around, went to a city museum. It talked about pioneers, pony express, early days of city history. Lady at museum brought friends with her that night out to camp, ate supper with us. Listen to Bill sing songs, a quiet night. Ps. Changed wagon tire on left rear. Helped Clyde grease all four of his.
Wednesday, June 18
It rained again last night, started off in morning with rain coats on and a light sprinkle. Circled through town, passed 2 nursing homes, waved at old people outside to watch us. Passed a lot of alfalfa fields, half were cut with rows of wet alfalfa. After 2 weeks the cut grasses were turning black. It’s going to look bad when they finally bale it. Passed a lot of pasture with black cows and calves. Traveled about 16 miles to Gothenburg, Neb. Stayed on North side of town at rodeo grounds, a city park was nearby. Me and Brenda visited a pony-express cabin in town, bought a few items. Afternoon was hot, few clouds, by 70% chance later according to weather report of rain. Evening cooling and nice breeze.
Thursday, June 19
Gothenburg to Brady, Neb about 18 miles headed north then west out on the sand hills. Morning was clear with high cloudiness. The sand hills rolled with a few cornfields. When we headed back south to Brady, Neb. The road was sandy, local farmer said they put down red rock from the railroad to try to stiffen up the road. This road was seldom traveled. Danny thought it was probably also used as a fire road. In traveling the road horse sweat a lot. Road rolled up and down, Great buffalo range. 3 wire fence on each side, range grassed lush, due to the rains over the last 2weeks. In Brady the farm we stayed at owner had 2 big black Percheron mares. They were picking up hay and then wagon it over to barn. Hot in afternoon 90. Evening more clouds, slight breeze but no rain. 3 more people joined wagon train.
Friday, June 20, 2009
It rained about 3/4”. Can’t believe it. It did cool off the night and the cloudiness made the day beautiful with blue sky behind them. We traveled south across the Platte river then west on the upper ridge of the valley to a nice farm surrounded by trees. Went into North Platte to the Union Pacific Railroad Terminal and went to the visitor center. Brenda, Heidi and I paid the $6.00 each and went to the top of the observation deck to see the trains and train yard, then back up town where the city was celebrating Nebraska frontier days in North Platte. Lots of drinking going on. Some people having lots of fun. Then went to Walmart to buy cake for Charlie’s birthday.
