Here at Fort Boise

Finally arrived at Fort Boise, Idaho. Much more difficult to get here than it was to get to Soda Springs. We had to face the weather on this trip, and the rain hit us really hard. Facing weather is a whole lot harder than you think, especially in a wagon. The kids were screaming the whole time, I have a massive headache from it all. But were still very excited were making this trip. It has been an awesome experinece for us all, and were alomost to California. The kids are excited to be at a new place, there hoping they will meet a lot of new friends, which I think they will. This long trail was exausting but fun. It might not be as pretty as Soda Springs but were not staying here long, just passing through.

Chimmey Rock, Nebraksa

Chimmey Rock, Nebraksa, is located somewhat 12 miles west of Courthouse and Jailhouse Rock. Chimmey Rock was one of the most picturesque landmarks that we stopped at on our journey west. It signaled the end of the praires. The trail was very steep and rugged heading west toward the Rocky Mountains. Most pioneers mentioned Chimmey Rock in their diaries. This landmark is visible 40 miles away! General Joel Palmer, leading a surveying party in 1845, he said it had the "appearence of a haystack with a pole running far above its top." Many accounts stated that it was losing its height due to erosion. It was 325 feet from tip to base and 120 feet for the spire.

Made It To Soda Springs

We have arrived at Soda Springs, Idaho. Our journey on this trail has been a wonderful and exciting experience. We have all been very good, no sickness yet. Soda Springs is a beautiful place the trees are bloomed and pretty, the water is clean here, and we get a meal everyday. Our horses are geting tired a lot, so we have to stop more than we planned. We might get to California later than we planned, but it will be okay. The trail is getting bumby as we go along, and it gets cold at night so we all have to share a couple of blankets. We leave Soda Springs tomorrow morning to try to get to, Fort Boise. The kids are having a wonderful time every time we stop they think it's time to play. Now off to Fort Boise!

Along The Way

We will be traveling through some famous landmarks on our journey west. Some of the famous landmarks that we will be seeing are Independence, MO. Courthouse Rock, Nebraska. Chimmey Rock, Nebraska. Fort Laramie, Wyoming. Independence Rock, Wyoming. Soda Springs, Idaho. Fort Hall, Idaho.We expect some hardships along the journey. Weather may be bad in some area's, there may not be any clean fresh water around, our children or ourselves may get sick along the way. We may have hardships, but we will make it through them. If there is bad weather in area's that were traveling through we will put our tarp on our buggy, so that we won't be right in the weather. If there isn't any water around for us, we will have backup water jugs with us just in case of that reason. If our children get sick, we will take care of them, give them medicine to make them feel better sooner.

Why We Chose To Take This Route

We are traveling this route, because we think that it will be the best route to take on our journey west. The pro's of this journey is that we hope to have more of our needs then we have where we are now and the con's of our journey is that we have to move away from family and friends and the home that we have always had. We expect some difficulties in the future, but not like the ones that we have had living here. We may have difficulties trying to find a home, maybe finding land to own and work on.  "In procuring supplies for this journey, the emigrant should provide himself with, at least, 200 pounds of flour, 150 pounds of bacon; ten pounds of coffee; twenty pounds of sugar; and ten pounds of salt." The way we feel about leaving out on our journey west is a good thing. We need more farm land to work on, will have more things that we need and even things that we want. It may not be a good thing in the beginning, but in the long run it is a good journey to be traveling!

Taveling West!

Hello, my name is Levi and my wife's name is Lucy, we have 2 kids. Noah and Rachel. We will be traveling to California from Gordonsvill, TN. We will be traveling 2000 miles.We have decided that independence CA is our jumping off spot. When we reach our independence we will purchase our needs.