2015 - 06 - 25: Day 11 of Scenic Destinations - fifth day on the wagon train

Once again I was up early to the sounds of the breakfast team.  The sun was only just rising.  I love the colours of the early morning sky. 

Coffee was my first goal and spurred me on to quickly finish my morning packing.  As I have come to expect coffee is served black and I sip it slowly and then add my milk as I pass down the breakfast serving line. 

This morning even with waiting till after breakfast my tent was really still quite soaked with dew.  The droplets were just too big to evaporate in that short amount of time. 

The air is still this morning, no moderating breezes and the temperature just keeps rising.  It promises to be a hot day.  The horses are hitched and the wagon train is underway shortly after. 

lining up for biffy break 

A biffy break is really a lesson in taking turns.  

The road stretches on and on 

After the biffy stop I once again walked ahead of the wagons.  The scenery is stunning!  this stretch of road reminds me of the "Hobbit" and the phase  "the road stretches ever on"

Getting down with nature 

When you stoop down low to observe a small flower, suddenly you have a whole new perspective of the plains. 

Wide open spaces 

Sometimes the vastness of the open spaces leaves you feeling dwarfed and small. 

Lunch in the tall grasses 

Our lunch stop today was in an unmowed field within a small dip.  Not a breeze to cool things off!    The grasses were knee tall all around and it was good to have blankets today to create a space to picnic on.  Today I was on duty for lunch preparation and I was assigned to slicing tomatoes and onions. 

The children in the grass remind me of scenes out of "Little house on the prairie"  

After the lunch buffet we were the recipients of a surprise visit from a bakery.  They delivered cold drinks for everyone and a special dessert called “Kuchen”  which they pronounced “Kugen”.  The recipe is based on a traditional old German custard cake with fruit filling.   I really enjoyed my slice of apple cinnamon flavor.  

With lunch duties and surprise visit I had no time for sketching today.  I really felt the stifling heat and was good and happy to be moving when the wagon train got underway once again.  

Biffy break by the beef 

The afternoon ride was filled with good humour, laughter and singing.  Was it the extra sugar in the cold drinks or are we just starting to really gel as wagon train family?  Even the biffy stop made me chuckle.   

The evening camp set up was accomplished quickly and efficiently.  Yes practice does improve performance!  Tonight they organized group pictures wagon by wagon so we were encouraged to “dress for the period”.   I also took some time to wash my hair this evening.  A cold water wash is better than no wash and on a hot day like today it felt very refreshing. 

Tonight’s dinner:  Chicken, boiled potatoes, corn, broccoli, cauliflower, carrot pasta salad.   There was apple crisp for dessert which was very tasty. 

Tonight there was a birthday celebration for Maggie who turned 9!   Birthday cake was served!

Tired after a long hot day I was quite happy to retire to my tent for a cold water sponge bath, some reading and then settle in for a good sleep.

Renate Dundys Marrello 

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2015 - 06 - 24: Day 10 of Scenic Destinations - fourth day on the wagon train

preparing eggs for 150 

I heard the first rustling of the crew at 5 am.  Then I heard the sounds of the people preparing breakfast.  

I felt wide awake and quickly had my gear packed and left my tent for a morning walk about.  

The stunning shade of the sky before dawn 

I watched the sun coming up over the hill and enjoyed a fresh cup of coffee.  I am learning to drink the first sips black as I can’t get any milk until breakfast is served.

And the sun rises over the hill top 

Today’s breakfast was sausages and oatmeal, bread with butter or jam.   And Milk!!!, which I add to the remaining coffee in my cup.  By now it is cold but to me it tastes so much better.

Now I pack up my tent and today it has had a little more time for the dew to dry, however it is still damp.  After bringing my gear to the baggage trailer I found myself a spot to sketch and tried to capture Fran checking out the river crossing.  My art work seems to be getting lots of fans.  Even though they are only rough sketches people really are supportive of my efforts which is so encouraging.

the walkers prepare to brave the river crossing 

Fran and one other walker set out early to wade across the river.  For some reason the video of their crossing failed to turn out! Sadly I still don't understand all the functions of this new camera. 

Wagons cross the river 

Now it is our turn.  Everyone into the wagons and the horses pull us through the water.  What excitement to experience a river crossing!  Mind you this was only a small shallow river.  We did not have to battle swift currents or fear losing gear. 

Today is another very warm and bright and sunny day.  For the first stretch we pass through wild fields of tall grasses.  There are swarms of mosquitoes and I am sure the walkers are also encountering ticks.  Today for the first time we needed repellent even during the day and while sitting in the wagons.

At the biffy break I once again walked ahead of the wagons joining Fran and a couple of others.  When my wagon caught up with me I climbed on board.  I am now quite proficient at getting on a moving wagon!

Leap frog

Today is a short day and we were instructed to set up camp while lunch was being prepared.  The plan for the afternoon is games for the children.  I helped Dyan use the “bucket method” of rinsing so she could wash her hair.  Only cold water so it is not so much fun , but she felt better knowing her hair was clean. 

It is a good thing that we had the tents set up because just as we finished lunch the dark rain clouds started gathering.  I grabbed my pencils and sketched the dark and ominous clouds. When it started to rain I joined everyone else as we all ran for shelter.  Luckily it was only a relatively short shower. 

As the skies cleared we started the games and then we had another shower and all scattered to our tents once more.  

Rainbow over the wagon

After this second shower the skies cleared and the sun came out and the rest of the evening was lovely and sunny. As I walked around to get some photographs a lovely rainbow appeared in the sky.  I also took some time to finish my scenery sketch as I only got the sky done before the storm. 

Everyone pull!

The game activities finished with a big tug o war contest. 

Preparing fry bread

I watched them cooking “fry bread”.  Fry bread is basically a bread dough that is deep fried and the coated with sugar and cinnamon. 

Thickening the stew

Tonight’s dinner:  A lovely stew made with beef, peas, carrots and potato chunks. Fruit salad, bread and butter, the fried bread and of course my favorite glass of milk.

I am on “fleecing duty” today which involves walking around and picking up any garbage that may have been left scattered around.  Once this was done I got my wash basin filled with water and then it was time to settle in for my evening ritual, sponge bath, reading and sleep. 

Renate Dundys Marrello 

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checking out the river crossing 

storm clouds gathering 

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2015 - 06 - 23: Day 9 of Scenic Destinations - third day on the wagon train

the gear lined up and ready to use

The light of pre-dawn wakes me up and I feel refreshed after a good sleep.  The sounds of the early rising staff are carried clearly on the quiet morning breezes.  I imagine that those on “breakfast duty” are also busy at work.  I pack my gear and take down my tent.  This morning it is wet from the dew.  So I suppose each day I will be packing a wet tent.

I watch the breakfast crew cooking

mmmm coffee

As I walk toward the food preparation area I see the coffee station!   Heavenly to have a warm cup of coffee, just too bad there is no milk!  

Soon the servers are called and once again we line up and walk down the line of kneeling servers to get our breakfast.  Today’s menu:  Oatmeal with prunes, eggs and bacon, bread with fresh made jam.

While the breakfast clean-up crew is busy with their chores I have time to do another sketch this time of the nearby slough.  Then it is time to bring the baggage to the baggage truck and soon the call comes to get to our wagons.  The horses are hitched and “wagons ho”

here the team is pulling in unison 

Today Whitey decided to be ornery!  Several times he fought against Duane and tried to go to the left when he needed to go forward.  Once even he reared up and got a foot caught on the cross bar.  It took 4 of the horse handlers to get him untangled.  Duane had to work hard all day keeping Whitey under control.  He thinks it may be the sounds of the children laughing and shouting that has Whitey confused.  We have to keep special attention on the people getting on and off of our wagon because of the sudden stops and jerks. 

At the 10 am Biffy break there was a camera crew their taking pictures for a local newspaper.  I decided to walk ahead while the line of adventurers were slowing taking their turns at the Biffy.  By walking ahead I get to walk for about 1 hour until my wagon catches up with me.

Noon break today was in pristine, uncultivated prairie grasses.  It was really interesting to see all the variety of plants.  Lunch was once again buffet style serve yourself sandwiches and today’s fruit was grapes. I had time for another sketch of the prairie and we had a member of the crew give us an interesting lecture on “pioneer medicine”.

Oh no - run away wagon 

More trail time in the afternoon, another biffy break and then we had a serious mishap.  One of the wagons had a rein break and the horses took off leaving the roadway and ending up in the field.  In the process of trying to keep his wagon and riders safe the teamster was injured.  He was taken by ambulance to the hospital.  With a replacement rein and a new teamster the wagon train got underway again with more somber tone.  We were all left speculating as to the nature of the teamster’s injuries and confronted just how easily an accident can happen. 

beautiful river view 

It was after 5 when we pulled into our camp site for the evening.  Tonight we are beside a river and the children are overjoyed at the prospect of swimming.  After setting up my tent (which is going much faster now) I reported for my KP duty – fire builder.  

I was glad that I had packed some work gloves as I set to work helping to dig 3 cooking pits plus one coffee pit.  Each cooking pit is 4 feet long by 3 feet wide.  First you cut out the sod and lay that aside.  Then you dig down until the pit is approximately 6 inches deep.  Next job is to get and stack enough fire wood for all four fires.  Then you carry all the metal bars and grills and wind breaks to each pit and help to set up the cooking surfaces.  Once the logs are stacked into the pit, “chief firebuilder” (one of the staff) douses each pit with gasoline and starts the fires.   And our job is done. 

While dinner is being prepared I enjoy watching the children in the river and relax for a while with some knitting. 

Tonight dinner is chili, coleslaw, celery and carrot sticks and bread and butter.  There is even cake for dessert which goes really well with a glass of milk. 

I was once again quite happy to retire to my tent after dinner for some quiet time with my book.  As much as I love socializing all day, I love my alone and quiet time in the evening.  I love being able to watch the sun going down from the comfort of my tent.  It is pleasant at night as the temperature cools right down making sleep very comfortable.

Renate Dundys Marrello 

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Morning view over the slough 

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2015 - 06 - 22: Day 8 of Scenic Destinations - second day on the wagon train

I awoke to the 6AM whistle and wake-up call.  I felt hungover from lack of sleep but pulled myself together to pack up and prepare for the day.

After a hearty breakfast of pancakes, eggs and bacon I had the fun job of taking down a wet tent and folding and rolling it into a compact shape to fit into the tent bag. I discovered that I fared really well in the storm.  There were others who got soaked, some had to get up in the middle of the storm to refasten pegs that had come loose, some even had wet bags to deal with. 

wagon train and walkers 

At 8 am we had one more group meeting to cover some of the starting out events and then the horses were hitched and we got underway. 

I started out walking but the paths are muddy and wet with puddles after the rain.  The horse's pace is a brisk 3.3 miles per hour and that makes keeping up really challenging.  I decided riding in the wagon might be a better idea.  I admire the hardy people that continued to walk.  I watched them get wet as they walked through wet grass and got mud caked on their boots.  Some had wet mud right up to their knees. 

Sitting in the wagon there is time to chat and get to know the other folks in the wagon, or affectionately called your “wagon train family”.   We are the International wagon!  We have the Bridgewaters from the UK. Two families from St. Louis and Fran who I met yesterday who is our “big wheel” as she is a “returning pioneer”  and Vivian a lady from California and Duane our teamster.

With myself from Canada we are a “family” of 13.  Should we all be in the wagon at the same time it would be a might crowded.  Fran plans to walk the whole time and so does Vivian.   The Bridgewaters have rented 2 horses and plan to take turns riding.  That leaves 9 in the wagon.  The 3 children are in and out walking and “wagon hopping”.  

The children, are constantly in and out visiting.  They love the novelty of being able to get on and off of a moving vehicle!   It does not take long for them to make friends with children from other wagons and we often have guests in ours.

Ike and Whitey get a break too when we make a biffy stop 

10 AM is “biffy stop”.  A biffy is basically and open pit toilet on wheels.  It has 4 stalls but even so with 150 people needing to use the facilities it takes a while.  When everyone is done,  the biffy is raised up and the pit is filled in with dirt by the “biffy crew”.  The going joke is nobody wants to see their name on the KP roster for biffy duty. 

the chuck wagon 

12:30 the teams pull into a meadow where the wagons form a circle and we have a lunch break.  The horses have their harness and tack removed and then they are taken to get water and to have an opportunity to eat also. 

Lunch crew works quickly to prepare the ingredients for sandwiches.  Then everyone lines up and basically it is make your own sandwich from the buffet of items on the folding table that is part of the chuck wagon set up.  There was bread, sliced meats and cheese, sliced tomatoes, lettuce and pickles as well as carrot and celery sticks.   For those preferring peanut butter and jelly there was another table with those ingredients, which was popular with the children.   At the far end of the line there was fruit and a choice of fruit drink or water.

I had time during the lunch break to do some drawing and it is my hope to have several sketches by the time the week is over to depict life on the wagon train.

wagons on the plains

At the end of the lunch break the horses are once again yoked to the wagons and we file out and back on the trail.  

Another biffy break around 3 pm and then at 5 we pull into our camping field for the night.  The wagons form a circle and then we make camp on the outside of the circle.  

I am on baggage wagon duty.  This means I, and several others, unload all the bags from the wagon onto the grass where everyone then comes to get their stuff to set up for the night.  Unloading the wagon is sweaty work but it is quickly completed. 

Now I too can collect my gear (I have 3 bags, 1 for my tent, 1 for my bedding and the 3rd for everything else).  It is good to get the tent up to let the sunshine and the breeze dry out the wet nylon canvas. 

A couple of trips to the water wagon to refill water bottles and to get washing up water and I am done with duties and can enjoy the lovely evening.  I watch the “fire builders” prepare the fire pits.  I watch the cooks stirring enormous pots over the open flames.  I find the making of “milk gravy” to be fascinating. 

All of this naturally takes time and it is 8 pm before dinner is served.  The “servers” are set up in a line kneeling at the various serving stations.  It is obvious that extra serving tables are not part of pioneer life.  Tonight’s dinner is meatballs in milk gravy, green beans, boiled potatoes and peaches and cookies for dessert.  Drinks choices are juice, water or milk.  I figure this is a good time for me to get my milk. 

By now it is 9 pm and my lack of sleep last night is catching up with me.  I head to my tent where I get to give myself a sponge wash up before settling in for the night.  It is still light out, oh the wonderful long evenings of summer!

I hear the sounds of singing and the other entertainments but the sounds lull me to sleep.  

Renate Dundys Marrello 

2015 - 06 - 22

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