Today we made it to Williamette Valley, Oregon...the last day of the
Oregon Trail project! During the past month, Marcus Garvey School of Thought (us) virtually interacted with other home-schoolers and traditional schools throughout the nation. It was fun...chatting and trading. However, most of all we enjoyed the Travel & Fates. The Travel told us how many miles the Wagon Train had traveled, our location (which the Frontiers would've traveled), supplies to purchase (or not), and it gave us a situation to make a decision. The Fates gave us the outcome based on our decision, sometimes good, sometimes not so good. The Black Frontiers book was read in conjunction with this project. It was very inspirational to read the "black" frontiers'/settlers' point of view about being cowboys, homesteaders, pioneers, and entrepreneurs. The Westward Ho! Project has been in existence for 15 years. We may do it again next year.
When beginning the Trail, the Project recommends that each person involve selects an identity.
Me-Mary Ellen Pleasant, slave, married free "black" man, business woman (real-estate), carried $30K to abolitionist John Brown.
King T- Bill Pickett, famous rodeo rider, took down Steers by biting their lips, silent movie actor.
Warrior Princess Z.- Mary Fields aka Stagecoach Mary, slave, a tough woman, excellent shooter, entrepreneur, the second woman in history to carry the U.S. Mail.
Warrior Princess T.- Bridget "Biddy" Mason, slave, philanthropist, entrepreneur (real-estate), land still exist in L.A. today, donated land to her people, cared for her people's needs, 'one of the most remarkable pioneers of California'.
Last Travel & Fate:
1. Take the Barlow Toll Road.
The Barlow Toll Road costs $100 per wagon. You can take your livestock, too. The toll company has blazed the trail around Mount Hood to facilitate passage (that's why it's so expensive). But it's still a dangerous trip. Especially now - with the first snows starting to fall. The trip over the pass usually takes several weeks. Before you decide you should know this.
Warning: There have been reports of parties who've frozen to death, been buried by avalanches and even some who's just mysteriously disappeared.
2. Canoe down the Columbia Gorge
The Columbia Gorge is one of the widest, most rapidly moving rivers in the country. But the canoe trip can save you several weeks of travel. Don't worry - the Indians here have been canoeing it for centuries. They'll charge you $45 to guide you down. And you'll have to rent their canoe at $40. You can only take what you can pack on your back. So you can either give away or sell everything in your wagon. Or you can have one of your party drive it over the Toll Road while the rest of you take the Gorge. You can also pay someone to drive it over the Toll Road and meet you at the other side...if you can find someone you trust. The trip takes several days instead of weeks and is free from the risk of freezing blizzards. (Maybe)
Warning: The Indians make it seem like this is a simple trip. But they've been doing it all their lives. The current in the river is extremely fast...and the water is very cold. There are several rapids, waterfalls, and there is even a 3 mile portage where you must get out and carry everything - including children and canoes.
3. Wintering near Whitman Mission
Many an emigrant has opted to stay the winter near Whitman Mission and continue their trek in the spring. You can rent a leanto on the Mission grounds for $35 a month. (That doesn't include meals.) You can even sleep in your wagon for a few more weeks until freezing temperatures prevail. If you can afford to wait here, you'll lose first chance at some of the prime Wilamette Valley parcels. But you'll probably avoid freezing to death or drowning.
Warning: Staying here can get very expensive. You must pay for lodging and food will probably cost you about $20 a week. There is little to do here all winter, so you may be tempted to spend more than you should to interrupt the boredom. If you're broke by the time winter is over, you won't be able to afford the Barlow Toll. You'll never make it to the beautiful Willamette valley. There are many reports of hostile Indians.
We decided on #2. The two Marys stayed behind.
Our Fate:
For those who Canoed down the Columbia Gorge Cascades of the Columbia
Hood River County, Oregon
Mile 1860
You make good time from the Whitman Mission to Hood River, Oregon. Unlike the climate on the top side of Mount Hood, this protected valley in the mountain's shadow is warm and moist. The Indians whom you hire as guides are very friendly and very generous. They prepare a delicious meal of venison, corn, and wild tree fruit for you on the eve of your departure. The next morning a warm Indian Summer sun reflects brightly off the glistening Columbia Gorge as you prepare to leave. In fact, The Gorge, with it's carpet of red and gold Indian Paintbrush (a wildflower) along its banks is one of the most breathtaking rivers you've ever seen.
The first day is fun. You've never traveled so fast on anything in your life! And the children are beside themselves with glee! You port your canoes at a riverside camp safely that evening and snack on the left-over venison that your guides have packed for you.
The second day you have to portage (climbing over huge boulders along the riverbank carrying everything!) for over three miles to avoid crashing over a 300-foot waterfall. Your feet are sore. Your muscles are aching. And the children whine incessantly. You arrive at camp in the dark and the rain, too exhausted even to eat.
On the third day the rapids become more furious. One of your canoes crashes against the rocks spilling its passengers into the cold, churning waters and splintering the canoe into thousands of pieces. Unfortunately, your guides hadn't prepared for such an accident and you now have two too many people to cram into the remaining canoes. You must choose two from your party who will set up temporary camp and stay behind. Once the rest of you reach your destination, one of the Indians will portage back and escort the two who've been left. You pick a prominent point along the river to set up this camp so that the Indians will have no trouble finding the two. According to the Indians, the two of you who stay shouldn't have to wait more than a week.
Fate: Although the broiling river gobbled most of the few possessions you weren't carrying on your back, you arrive at the end of the canoe trip tired, hungry and relieved to be alive. As soon as you port, one of your guides immediately heads back up river with their best canoe to collect the two who were left behind. The last you heard, the guide did find the campsite, where the embers in the stone-built fireplace were still warm.
But the two emigrants themselves had completely disappeared. Some say there was talk of bear tracks in the sand around the campsite. But stories often get tangled when translated from Indian Speak.Now Warrior Princess Z. was not happy with the outcome of the two Marys. So, in her mind, "Since no one really knows the actual story, I say that we made it to Williamette Valley safely!" LOL!
