February 28, 1853 Here begins the journal of Glenn McLaird, formerly a pharmacist. Tomorrow we leave Independence behind to begin our journey west to Sacramento. We must still purchase the supplies that our large farmwagon will hold to sustain us during our long trek. I hope that the following skills will prove of some use along the trail: medical, carpentry, farming/animals, botany, cooking.

We are leaving on this journey to join Amber and Alex's friend, Tess, over in Sacramento. Personally, I never really liked Tess that much, but my partner, whose name is also Tess, Tess Meyer, insisted that we go. I imagine that the people out there will be suprised to see me, especially since I'll be much dirtier than usual. Keith is coming not only because he's Amber's beau, but because he once was Tess's. Justin, on the other hand, actually got along fairly well with Tess before she went off on the Oregon Trail. Well, I guess its our turn to be off. I hope that we all survive the hardships of this journey and that we beat the mountain snows.

March 1, 1853 Took advantage of the package deal offered to me. What a relief not to have to shop for all that individually! Purchased 30 boxes of 20 bullets, 3 25-lb. kegs of gunpowder. Purchased 12 oxen, 13 chickens. Purchased 23 blankets, 14 canteens, 2 fishing nets, 1 fishing pole, 3 fishing spears, 6 lanterns, 30 16-oz. tins of lantern oil, 2 tents, 11 water kegs. Purchased 1 pail. Purchased 3 milk cows. We will press on until we are exhausted each day. Went gathering. We found edible Rose hips, edible Sow Thistle leaves, edible Raspberries and edible Plantain leaves. Went gathering. We found edible Wild Onion bulbs, edible Chokecherries and edible Currants. Went gathering. We found edible Plantain leaves, edible Raspberries and edible Rose hips. Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near Blue River. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds. Today we passed Westport. Arrived at New Santa Fe today.

March 2, 1853 I have been hired as trail guide for the wagon train. Misplaced my guidebook at Lone Elm today. Luckily we found it before leaving.

March 3, 1853 Passed Blue Mound about noon.

March 4, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

March 5, 1853 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual. Today we passed Kansas River. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds.

March 6, 1853 Today we have traveled 100 miles. Near Saint MaryÕs Mission, had a wagon train meeting to discuss our current circumstances. Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near Red Vermillion River.

March 7, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Arrived at Scott Spring today.

March 8, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Heard some gunfire in the distance near Alcove Spring. Much concern all around. Had a bit of a run-in with another wagon party today near Big Blue River, but we patched up our differences before nightfall. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds.

March 9, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Found ourselves at St. Joseph Road Junction this day. Got a nasty splinter in my thumb, but extracted it without too much difficulty.

March 10, 1853 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual. It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

March 18, 1853 Keith Gould has a bad cold. We're going to rest here awhile.

March 19, 1853 Near The Narrows, had a wagon train meeting to discuss our current circumstances. We stopped along the trail to hunt. We obtained 219 pounds of meat.

March 20, 1853 We came upon some fallen rocks on the trail and decided to try to clear the path.

March 22, 1853 The weather turned very cold, and I decided to continue as usual.

March 23, 1853 Made it to ÒThe Coast of NebraskaÓ.

March 24, 1853 Today came to Fort Kearny.

March 25, 1853 As expected, we made it to Plum Creek today.

March 29, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual. Traveled past OÕFallonÕs Bluffs this afternoon.

April 1, 1853 Saw a grave dug up by wolves near South Platte River--bones scattered about. A most distressing sight! The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go.

April 2, 1853 Our wagon tipped over. We lost 25 pounds of bacon; 3 boxes of 20 bullets; 4 pounds of cheese; 4 pounds of coffee beans; 1 10-lb. sack of cornmeal; and various other items.

April 3, 1853 Today we have traveled 500 miles. We tipped the wagon and lost 25 pounds of bacon; 3 boxes of 20 bullets; 3 pounds of cheese; 1 pound of coffee beans; 1 coffee mill; and various other items. Had a lengthy chat with Mr. Lumare today near Ash Hollow.

April 5, 1853 Justin W. has a concussion. We're going to administer laudanum.

April 7, 1853 The animals are exhausted and can't continue. I've decided to stop and rest awhile. Passed Courthouse and Jail Rocks today. Arrived at Chimney Rock today.

April 8, 1853 Mr. Tillman claims it's the Oregon Territory up ahead, but the guidebook says it's Scotts Bluff. Camped today near Mitchell Pass.

April 17, 1853 Keith Gould has a bad cold. We're going to rest here awhile.

April 24, 1853 [name] came down with a bad cold, and I decided to rest here awhile. Enjoyed a cup of coffee with Mr. Lumare today at noon near Laramie River. The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go. Made it to Fort Laramie.

April 25, 1853 Justin W. has a concussion. We're going to administer laudanum. Today our eyes were greeted with the sight of Register Cliff.

April 26, 1853 It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

April 27, 1853 We lost a chicken today. It is mighty cold today. WeÕre going to continue as usual.

April 28, 1853 Found a clean, well-formed ox skull a short ways from Ayers Natural Bridge; tempted to take it with me, but decided against it.

April 30, 1853 Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near North Platte River. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds. Passed Mormon Ferry Trading Post. Made an early start this morning; passed Emigrant Gap.

May 1, 1853 Every day our journey comes closer to its end. Today we made it to Willow Springs.

May 2, 1853 Passed Independence Rock. Road fair to middling. Passed DevilÕs Gate about noon.

May 3, 1853 The fog was awful this morning. We decided to continue as usual. Rested the animals near Split Rock.

May 4, 1853 Today came to Three Crossings. Came to First Sweetwater River Crossing. Had a talk with some of the other folks in the wagon train. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds. Saw a mountain lion not far from Second Sweetwater River Crossing. Not much else to do, but cross our fingers, and hope the ice holds. Our train lost 3 wagons and 6 people crossing the river today. We lost 53 pounds of bacon; 2 pounds of cheese; 8 pounds of coffee beans; 1 10-lb. sack of cornmeal; and various other items when our wagon fell through the ice. Misplaced my guidebook at Third Sweetwater River Crossing today. Luckily we found it before leaving. The ice looks like it will hold the wagon... So across we go.

May 5, 1853 Happened upon a fresh grave near Ice Spring Slough. A reminder of the hazards we all face on the this journey.

May 6, 1853 Dreadful thunderstorm today. I figured it was best to continue as usual.

May 8, 1853 The trail continues to provide wonders and surprises! Today we made it to Final Sweetwater River Crossing. Fording the river looks to be our best option. Saw a small, foul-looking pool of water near South Pass. Could be poison; I prevented our animals from drinking it. Today came to Pacific Springs.

May 9, 1853 Passed Dry Sandy. Found a clean, well-formed ox skull a short ways from ÒParting of the WaysÓ; tempted to take it with me, but decided against it.

May 10, 1853 From our guidebook, estimated we would reach Haystack Butte today, and sure enough, there it was!

May 11, 1853 The trail brought us to Green River today. Decided to caulk the wagon and float it across.

May 12, 1853 The wagon train reached Branley Pass this day.

May 13, 1853 Passed the thousand mile mark today! Approached Emigrant Spring today. Some people in our wagon train are very tired of the journey. Much grumbling today about Nick Tillman near West End of the Sublette Cutoff.

May 14, 1853 Today we saw Thomas Fork. What a sight! Made an early start this morning; passed SmithÕs Trading Post Site.

May 16, 1853 We rested a while not far from Soda Springs.

May 17, 1853 Enjoyed a cup of coffee with Mr. Lumare today at noon near Hudspeth Cutoff at Sheep Rock. Saw eagles today near Buckskin Mountain. What majestic creatures!

May 18, 1853 Our path was blocked by fallen rocks on the trail. We decided to try to clear the path.

May 19, 1853 Approached Marsh Creek today. Some people in our wagon train are very tired of the journey.

May 20, 1853 Saw buzzards circling today not too far from Little Malad Spring. If I were superstitious, IÕd call it a bad omen.

May 22, 1853 This morning it was very foggy. We decided to continue as usual.

May 24, 1853 Saw buzzards circling today not too far from Raft River. If I were superstitious, IÕd call it a bad omen. Fording the river looks to be our best option. Stopped near West End of the Hudspeth Cutoff for a while.

May 25, 1853 Stopped near City of Rocks for a while. Nooned at Salt Lake Cutoff Junction.

May 29, 1853 Rested the animals near Hot Spring Valley.

June 2, 1853 Today came to North Fork of the Humboldt River. Decided to ford the river.

June 3, 1853 Camped today near Emigrant Pass.

June 8, 1853 Alex Smith has a concussion. We're going to rest here awhile. Had a bit of a run-in with another wagon party today near Gravelly Ford of the Humboldt River, but we patched up our differences before nightfall. Decided to ford the river.

June 9, 1853 Today we have traveled for 100 days. The fog was awful this morning. We decided to continue as usual.

June 13, 1853 Traded 2 oxen for 1 spare wagon wheel.

June 14, 1853 One of our wagon wheels broke. We have to trade for a replacement.

June 15, 1853 Terrible fog during the early part of the day. We chose to continue as usual.

June 16, 1853 It was extremely foggy early today. We figured it was best to continue as usual.

June 17, 1853 The trail continues to provide wonders and surprises! Today we made it to French Ford Trading Post.

June 19, 1853 After much travail, we came to LassenÕs Meadows.

June 20, 1853 Today we reached Big Meadows.

June 21, 1853 After much travail, we came to Humboldt Sink.

June 22, 1853 A thick fog rolled in today. Looks like we'll continue as usual. The dust from other wagons has gotten bad. We decided to continue as usual.

June 25, 1853 Made it to Ragtown.

I imagine that the person who wrote this music that two guitarists played was extremely depressed when he did so. It makes you think of great sadness, yet it is strangely relaxing. The wagon stopped and listened to it for a while. Justin and Alex were married today, right while we were listening to the music. It was beautiful. Alex wore her hair down for once and had a long, pale blue gown that she seemed to float on. Justin wore his best clothes, and looked extremely embarassed. I guess that he was in awe about Alex's beauty. Heck, I was too, although I am getting married to Tess Meyer as soon as we get to our new home.

June 27, 1853 Today we saw Eagle Ranch Trading Post. How sublime it appears by moonlight. Got a late start; passed Mormon Station. Reached Sierra Nevadas about noon--about time!

June 29, 1853 After some concern that we were lost, we saw Carson Pass in the distance.

July 2, 1853 Saw a grave dug up by wolves near Hangtown--bones scattered about. A most distressing sight!

July 4, 1853 Today is Independence Day and we've decided to continue. Saw some Indians in the distance not far from SutterÕs Fort Site. No incident, but some concern. Arrived today at Sacramento!! At last we have reached our destination! Truly this is the land of opportunity!

Well, Tess Meyer and I were married today. She wore a beautiful, snow-white gown that she made herself. It was long, with a lace neckline that had tiny white beads sewn in. I bathed in the American River and dressed in my best clothes. Tess Faull, I learned that was Tess's new last name, was quite glad to see Amber and Alex again. They had a large celebration with every one of us who have come to Sacramento in the past 5 years. Tess's husband is very nice, although he is a bit of a practical joker. When Tess fell asleep on top of her milk cup, he woke her up by pushing it out from under her. It spashed in her face and she immediately sent Nick off to get some napkins to wipe up the spilled milk. All of us laughed hard.

August 24, 1853 Got claim certificate #829 from assay office today, for 67 ounces of gold worth $1,340.00! I'm rich! Final Score: 10202

Our homes are completely built. My wife and I are living in the Sacramento Valley, which is about 5 miles from the American River. Amber, Keith, Justin, and Alex are all living on the river. Keith and Justin are mining partners, and so far, they've made $3,000 altogether. I'm rather jealous, seeing as how I didn't even make half of that. I met Tess, Liz, Evelyn, and Sarah's children. I didn't know that Tess had 4! Liz has 2, Evelyn has 1, and Sarah has 3. Tess's are: Jacilia, 4, Mitchell, 4, Riveria, 2, & Christopher, 2. Liz's are Ashley, 4, and Cassia, 3. Evelyn's is James, 4, and Sarah's are: Amanda, 3, Tyler, 2, and Gina, 2. They are all little sweethearts, but my favorite is probably Cassia. She took a liking to me after I came to visit last week.

August 25, 1853 In 1853, Glenn McLaird built a home on 590 acres of land in the Sacramento Valley of California. Despite some early successÑincluding the additional discovery of a small vein of silver in the Sierra NevadasÑGlenn McLaird lost a good deal of money through subsequent bad investments. An 1869 gold strike on a tract of land owned by Glenn McLaird provided even greater wealth, much of which was donated to charity in later years. An early twentieth-century descendant repeated this good fortune by striking oil in southern California, providing the family with continued affluence and influence.

I imagine that I'll be a father next April. My wife has been experiancing frequent nausea and occasional vomitting. Of the Oregon Trail, I'm glad I went on it. If I hadn't, I would have missed out on several new friends and many adventures. Evelyn told us that we got here the quickest out of all of them. Six months total. Apparently, it took everyone else 8-10 months! I'm going to write a letter back home to encourage my friends to come. They'll have an amazing adventure out here, and they'll have stories to tell their children and grandchildren. Liz, Ryan, Ashley, and Cassia have come to visit, so I'll end my journal here. This is the very last page. I shall treasure this keepsake always