November 9, 2007

Kansas River crossing


The harsh reality is that we're trying to get to Oregon all the way from Missouri via wagon. The days we lost to the blizzard set us back on our time line. Using my powers of persuasion I convinced the crew that we should go 3 days at a grueling pace. If my estimates were correct, we'd arrive at the Kansas River where we could stop to rest. I want to thank everyone for putting up with my shit. Well, we're finally here. Expect a few posts chronicling our visit. Attached is a real photograph of what the Kansas River looks like here in 1848.

I haven't given much thought on how we'll try to cross this beast of a river but I asked around and a stranger said:
"Can't afford to take a ferry. We're making our wagon into a boat. We'll turn it over, caulk the bottom and sides with pitch, and use it to float our goods across. Have to swim the animals. Hope it doesn't rain -- the river's high enough!"
We only have $4.00 ourselves so I think we might try the same or we'll try to ford the river. Whatever that means.

1 comment:

Robin said...

(time out, your link takes you right back to the page not a picture of the Kansas River crossing in 1848...lame)

By the way wagon leader your 3 day traveling sucks! I mean we get to this river and what happenes, see comment 4B under the next post