Camped on the Oregon Trail

March 30

Morning flurries gave way to a cold grey day. The chain restrictions on the pass were not lifted until late. So, we will spend another night camped on the Oregon Trail. Yes, the trail passed through where we are parked and if anything is coming from this experience it may be that we can, in a small degree, identify with those travelers from the 1840’s through the 1860’s. Even though we are in a comfortable vehicle, and we have cell phone, internet, DOT websites, Doppler radar, television, and radio, we are still subject to the forces of nature.

Our friend Karen, who grew up in Pendleton, put it best in an email today:

Stuck, are ya’? Those mountains are what often keep my parents from visiting my sister and her family or her coming to them/us. (She lives in Ontario, OR)
Those Blue Mountains have challenged travelers for almost 200 years. This was one of the most difficult places for the pioneers to cross in the whole journey. They are very steep and rocky, and as you have experienced, a terrible place to be when the weather changes. If they’d left late, or had too many things slowing their travel, and most shoes had worn to pieces, the mountains were so terribly difficult.
Anyway, I wish you safe journeys towards home. Can’t wait ‘til you get here! April comes this Tuesday, so you have 30 days to meet your goal!!