In Pursuit of a Dream

Dream wins Oregon Heritage Excellence Award

2010-02-20T16:25:00.001-08:00

We have just learned that "In Pursuit of a Dream" has won an Oregon Heritage Excellence Award "for its exemplary way of sharing immersive experiential learning about Oregon history." The award will be presented in Oregon City on April 9. There will be a public showing of the film on April 10, also in Oregon City.

--Candy Moulton

Henry Harmon Spalding and "The Settlers"

2009-08-18T07:33:00.000-07:00

I am at the national board meeting of the Oregon California Trails Association and am listening to National Park Service employee Otis Halfmoon talk about plans for cooperative programs with the federally recognized tribes who live along the route of the trails. As he told the board, Presbyterian Missionaries Henry Harmon Spalding and Marcus Whitman traveled the Oregon Trail route in the 1830s, and affected his tribe--the Nez Perces--and those impacts are still being experienced today. There are many stories to tell about the trails, and the tribal stories are just some of them.

As one board member noted, the organization needs to recognize there are differing viewpoints to the trails stories...

Otis is funny, he told the board there are many tribes, and even one tribe called "The Settlers."

--Candy Moulton

Two Copies of the Film

2009-08-17T22:36:00.000-07:00

Bob arrived in Denver today in anticipation of the Premiere on Wednesday. Told me, "Don't let me forget this bag anywhere, it has the only two copies of the completed film we will show this week."
How Exciting.

Got to the hotel and ran into one of our Dreamer families. So glad to have Katie here already. Can hardly wait to see everyone else!

--Candy Moulton

5 Days and Counting

2009-08-15T17:09:00.000-07:00

Looking forward to seeing the Dreamer Cast and Crew in just five days! I have tickets for the show on hand and ready to hand out to everybody, plus plans are being finalized for the Red Carpet Event...largely handled by Ranger Jane! Quackgrass has a few surprises she's working on!

Web page Updates

2009-08-13T18:25:00.000-07:00

Charles and Bruce have worked hard today and added new photos to the cast page and to the daily diary page on the In Pursuit of a Dream Web site. www.octa-trails.org/In-Pursuit-of-a-Dream.

I'm preparing tickets for our Dreamer Cast who will be at the Premiere next week in Loveland, Colorado.

--Candy Moulton

Film Shows Next Week

2009-08-12T21:20:00.000-07:00

Had a chance to see some of the film scenes today, will be so fun to watch this next week with the cast, crew and OCTA members. Two places where you, too, can see the film. Wednesday, Aug. 19 7:30 p.m. at the Premiere at the Rialto Theater in Loveland, Colorado. Tickets for that showing are available on the OCTA web site, www.octa-trails.org. Click on the Colorado Convention and registration page. On Aug. 20, 2 additional showings at the Rialto, at 4 and 7 p.m....tickets for those showings available at the Rialto.

It will also show at the Wyoming Film Festival Aug. 22 in Saratoga, Wyoming. Info about that event is available at www.wyomingfilmfestival.org.

Hope to see you at the showings.

--Candy Moulton

Chuck

2009-08-11T06:44:00.000-07:00

Chuck Miller and Mike Browne with "The Girls."

Karen and Frankie

2009-08-11T06:31:00.000-07:00

Will add photos from the many I've been reviewing for the Web site. Karen Vixie, left; Frankie Israel, right.

Wyoming Film Festival

2009-08-10T20:32:00.000-07:00

We will have a showing of "In Pursuit of a Dream" at the Wyoming Film Festival in Saratoga, Wyoming, on Aug. 22 at 7 p.m. At this event we will set up a small wagon camp that will involve several of our cast members including Frankie, Andrew, and Rachel. Quackgrass and I will be there, looking forward to camping and sharing the trail stories.

--Candy Moulton

Film Premiere in Colorado

2009-08-07T14:28:00.000-07:00

We will have the premiere of In Pursuit of a Dream at the Rialto Theater in Loveland, Colorado, on Aug. 19 in conjunction with the Oregon-California Trails Association. At least fourteen of our Dreamers will be present, along with many of the adult cast, all three of our teachers, and lots of reenactors. There may be tickets still available. You find out by visiting the OCTA web site, and clicking on the Convention page. www.octa-trails.org.

There will also be music, Indian dancing and other activities in Loveland, on 4th Street in front of the Rialto prior to the film showing, so come on down and meet the cast.

There will be additional showings at the Rialto in Loveland On Aug. 20 at 4 and 7 p.m. Tickets for those showings are available on the Rialto Web site.

--Candy Moulton

Web Site is Up

2009-08-05T16:24:00.000-07:00

We have posted the first components of the Web site, including a short trailer from the film. Best way to view it is to visit www.octa-trails/In-pursuit-of-a-Dream/
--Candy Moulton

Going Live Soon

2009-07-06T20:20:00.000-07:00

Pam has the general design completed for the new Web site, now it is up to Charles to do a lot of work to begin putting it in form so it can go live. That will happen in the next few weeks.

--Candy Moulton

Gomez

2009-06-20T17:04:00.000-07:00

Outrider Larry Gomez...has so much experience on a horse. For every film project I've worked on, I've had him involved because there is NOBODY I trust more to keep the set safe.

I chose this photo of him to put on the new Web site we are creating...He looks pretty scruffy here, not the way he usually presents himself.

--Candy Moulton

Web work

2009-05-10T20:01:00.000-07:00

We have a new team working on a Web site for the film. Pam Esty is working as the designer, while Boston Productions staffers Bruce Spero an Charles Palen will make it all come to life. I'm doing my best to keep up with them. They understand how to develop a Web site, but I always let somebody else do that techincal stuff.

--Candy Moulton

Return to Salt Lake City

2009-01-14T21:26:00.000-08:00

I am in Salt Lake City on my way to attend the Mid-Year Board meeting of OCTA in Yuma, Arizona. I will have much to report to the board concerning progress of the film and the new Web site we at Boston Productions are now beginning to organize (more on that soon). I stopped at Fort Bridger to take some photos of the new statue of Jim Bridger, but had camera problems...two different cameras with me and neither one worked! So no pictures of the incredibly cool statue that was installed there on 8-8-08.

When I arrived in Salt Lake City I drove down North Temple Street, past the Red Iguana. Believe it or not, at 8:20 p.m. on a Wednesday night in January there was a line out the door! I settled for a couple of Reeces peanut butter cups and a bottle of water for dinner.

--Candy Moulton

More than 100 Sites

2008-12-29T10:17:00.000-08:00

With the help of several other members of OCTA, we have created a list of more than 100 trail sites to include on our upcoming virtual trail map. Next we will begin gathering information. This photo shows alkali dirt blowing as we crossed the trail last summer.

When Celinda Hines crossed this area in 1853 she wrote: "Sunday, July 3 --Warm & Pleasant. I rode horse back in the A.M....P.M. crossed Wire creek also Greese wood creek. Likewise Bad Slue & Alkali region. Camped near Independence Rock."

--Candy Moulton

Virtual Trail

2008-12-14T18:57:00.000-08:00

I'm spending my time identifying trail sites to develop a virtual trail for the Oregon-California Trails Association as part of the expanded Web site project. With the assistance of OCTA members I've come up with a list of approximately 100 sites. Working with the team assembled by Boston Productions we'll now develop this into a trail for you all to follow.

--Candy Moulton

Back to Work

2008-12-01T18:42:00.000-08:00

The last five months have been busy for us as we have continued the work on In Pursuit of a Dream. All of the footage we shot--some 100 hours of film--is now being evaluated by an editor in preparation for producing the final film. I had an opportunity to visit the Boston Productions office in Norwood, Massachusetts, a couple of weeks ago and view some of the footage. We are also beginning a new part of this project, development of Web resources that we hope will help people connect with the trail. Although the work has continued since we wrapped shooting in July, for my part I've been involved in other activities. But now it is time to revitalize this blog and get to work on the next phases of In Pursuit of a Dream.

--Candy Moulton

Sweetwater, Carbon, and Wyoming Support

2008-08-27T09:49:00.001-07:00

Tremendous support for this film came to us from the Sweetwater County Travel and Tourism board, Carbon County Visitor Council, and Wyoming Tourism and we thank them sincerely. Some of the best trail remnants in the country are in Sweetwater County, and they are well known sites including segments of the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, Overland and Cherokee Trails. Carbon County has its own sections of trail including many, many miles of Overland and Cherokee Trails.

Of course some of the best known landmarks on the trail--such as Independence Rock, Devils Gate, Split Rock, and certainly South Pass--are all in Wyoming. If you want more informatin about Wyoming trail and visitor services visit the state tourism website...which has links to both Sweetwater and Carbon Counties. www.wyomingtourism.org

--Candy Moulton

Thank you Ranch-Way Feeds

2008-08-27T09:42:00.000-07:00

When we were putting this adventure together, I called Ranch-Way Feeds in Wyoming and asked if they would sponsor our horse and mule feed....which they agreed to do. Now, it might not be period-accurate to have a Ranch-Way Feed sack in camp, but it was necessary and we really appreciated the support. Thank you Jack!

--Candy

National Park Service Funding

2008-08-05T08:07:00.000-07:00

Howdy. I am at the National Convention of the Oregon-California Trails Association (OCTA) in Nampa, Idaho. Yesterday I drove across the trail, stopping at the Three Island Crossing Oregon Trail Interpretive Center in Glenns Ferry, Idaho. Right now I am at the OCTA National Board meeting. We are listening to reports of trails activities supported by the National Park Service and this gives me a good opportunity to say THANK YOU to the NPS and the Long Distance Trails Office for the support of In Pursuit of a Dream.

We have received more than $55,000 in NPS funding for the filming itself and for development of a new Web site that eventually will have educational curriculum materials as well as photos and video from across the trail. (Keep watching this site for updates!)

Sitting behind me now are many of our NPS partners and we certainly appreciate their continued support of OCTA and more specifically of In Pursuit of a Dream!

--Candy Moulton

Quackgrass Sends Photos

2008-07-27T09:02:00.000-07:00

Quackgrass Sally was very busy during our film shoot, setting up the reenactor encounters, working with our caterers, moving camp each day...but she found time to take a few photos and here are a couple of them. One is of Kenedy and Angela in camp in Wyoming and the other is of Teton Trosper (foreground) and Tom Yellow Cloud, who came out to share Shoshone culture with us.

Independence Rock Video

2008-07-25T12:13:00.000-07:00

So here are the first of what we hope to be a number of video clips from our trip. This was from our stop at Independence Rock. Everyone is talking about how they are feeling three days in to the trip and lots more.

Bob Noll

In this clip you see the girls doing something with their socks--they are trying to get the needle and thread grass and cheat grass stickers out of them. In her journal Candace, shown in front center of video photo, wrote, "The grass was such a pain today! Omg! I have billions of thorn like grasses in my socks!"

--Candy Moulton

Connor and Candace

2008-07-24T17:11:00.000-07:00

Connor and Candace on arrival at Foster Farm.

Adjustments at Home

2008-07-21T20:35:00.000-07:00

I've heard from some of our Dreamers, and their parents, and know the adjustment to life at home is almost as difficult as the adjustment to life on the trail. Our two weeks together really bonded us as a trail family and that means we miss each other. I've been asked to present some information about the film at the National Convention of the Oregon-California Trails Association in Nampa, Idaho, in August (The convention is Aug. 5-9 and is open to anyone interested. Visit the OCTA Web site at www.octa-trails.org for info). Bob will put together a short film clip for me to show. I've posted some new photos. Watch for more in the next couple of days.

--Candy Moulton

Images from the Trail

2008-07-21T20:17:00.000-07:00

More Photos

2008-07-21T19:56:00.001-07:00

Jakob takes aim with Kim Merchant, left, and Doc Bob

Mike and Andrew drive the wagon

Livee and Kenady

Arielle and Lydia liberally use the sunscreen

(Photos by Candy Moulton)

Home Again

2008-07-16T11:39:00.000-07:00

Hello Dreamers,

I made it home last evening...no doubt the last of our cast and crew to be back in my own home/office/and real bed. Quackgrass and I traveled together to Mountain Home, Idaho, where we found a campsite in a KOA campground and spent the last night in her trailer (It was a wonderful home away from home). On Monday she split to the north and Montana (arriving there about 6 p.m.). I followed the trail back to Casper. I was on South Pass when she called to say she was pulling into her driveway. Although it was a very long day on the road, I truly enjoyed my drive through the Sweetwater Valley, reliving the special moments we all had there just ten days earlier. The light was filtering across the Rattlesnake Range, there were few vehicles and it was good to be on the trail with my own thoughts.

Just as soon as I catch up on the more than 500 e-mail messages that came in while I was out of touch, I'll be putting more photos up on this site.

And then I'll go unpack my car and shake the spiders out of my bedroll once again...so I can be ready to go back on the trail sometime soon.

--Candy Moulton

Yo!

2008-07-14T10:01:00.000-07:00

hey everyone! Thanks to all the great people on this trip, it truly made it an awesome experience! The trials we all went through made us all closer than a family in such a short time, so hey fam (wifey) hit me up sometime ( gusterdispatch@gmail.com )! Hope someday ya'all get the chance to experience the softer side of ol' Wyo! Be easy and my thoughts and prayers are with you all!

- Connor

Note from Susan (Scampering Soundie)

2008-07-14T09:00:00.000-07:00

On the 21st century trails that crisscross this country, billboards busily bombard trying to sell me stuff I don’t care about, TVs in the airport (a jumping off point for 21st century crossings of the continent) blare biased anti-immigrant reports with exagerrated urgency, and flat screens in the local watering hole draw my eyes glassily up and away from making contact with my fellow travelers. It’s a cold contrast to the tactile experience, our fuzzy friends the mules, the pineneedles, the campfire smoke, our tightknit group, and our progress along the trail, even for those of us who were bound up with batteries, headphones, and transmitters during the expedition. ‘Twas a pleasure to be there. Hope to receive everyone’s contact info and see photos soon.

--Susan Bryant, Scampering Soundie writing July 13 from Hotel in Rapid City, SD with cockroach climbing across the number on my hotel room door.

On the Way Home

2008-07-12T14:53:00.000-07:00

This morning we filmed at Foster Farm, placing an Oregon-California Trail marker with OCTA National Preservation Officer Dave Welch. Then we loaded the kids in the vans and they headed off to the Portland Airport. We gave the kids a trail marker as a souvenir. They have certainly earned the right to them, having lived on the trail for two weeks...two showers in all that time--the first a cold one in Montepelier and the second a hot one in a hotel in Oregon.

They are an awesome bunch of kids, I have fallen in love with all of them and will truly miss them. They BETTER stay in touch by e-mail, not only with each other, but with me.

Our work is not done, though, as we still have a lot to complete before this film is ready for airing.

But we have been Pursuing a Dream and along the way we rolled with the punches, hugged, cried, laughed, got dirty, cold, tired, wet, and sweaty. And we became a very close trail family.

Bob, you've been my rock all along the trip. I've cried on your shoulder. I know I've messed up at times (I will check directions better next time and I've learned several other important production lessons). At times I failed miserably in managing things. But we are here, the students are all safely on their way home, and other than being tired and tanned, I think we all are none the worse for the wear, and certainly the better for the chance to travel the trail and soak in its spirit and solace.

Watch the previous blog posts. As I get some more time, I will be adding details...and certainly a lot more photos. But now I have to drive home to Wyoming, traveling with Quackgrass until she splits north to her home in Montana, while Bob and Dan fly off to Boston, and Lincoln, dear, sweet, supportive Lincoln, heads to Burbank.

Eating trail dust with you, my friends, has been a joy and now we truly have merged our souls with the spirit of the trail.

--Candy Moulton

Wrap Party

2008-07-11T23:45:00.000-07:00

This evening we traveled by van and vehicle to Oregon City, where we had a wrap party at Clackamette Park. The Northwest Chapter of OCTA sponsored it for us---thank you NW Chapter!!! We pulled a last gag on the kids by having the meal on the table. Mr. Vixie, Mr. Merchant, and Mr. Noll went to the head of the table to reveal the food: Rice, Beans, and Oatmeal! Arielle started crying, Darla had the most horrified expression on her face I’ve ever seen. After we had them really going, we pulled out the turkey and beef, barbecues sauce, salad, potato salad, bread and cookies.

At the end of the party Lincoln and Dan arrived. They had spent hours putting together a special slide show and they hung a wagon canvas from the edge of the park awning and we had “moving pictures” literally. It was so fun to see the early photos on the trail. Some of the kids said it seemed like months ago that they were in Wyoming. There was hooting and hollering, laughing, and a few tears at the end. Thank you Lincoln and Dan for all your hard work in putting the show together under difficult circumstances.

As the show wrapped, Matt, Jacqueline, and most of the rest of the crew and chaperones lit some sparklers. It was a GREAT end to a WONDERFUL ADVENTURE.

--Candy Moulton

Building a Home in Oregon

2008-07-11T23:33:00.000-07:00

July 11, Friday

The sleeping bags were all very wet this morning from the dew, but the students and teachers did not complain. They had breakfast (biscuits and gravy) across the road from Philip Foster Farm. The Jittery Pig has a barbecue catering service there in front of the Eagle Creek Feed Store and I arranged for their breakfast.

Today the students built a cabin at Foster Farm. Led mainly by Mr. Merchant and Mrs. Wragge, and with the guidance of Tom Burnett of Foster Farm, they put up the logs. First we all signed them, putting our names on the dovetail notches. It was fun to help build this cabin, knowing it will stand here at the farm for many years. Of course when the pioneers arrived, they had to build their own homes. We were lucky in that Tom already had the logs. They were cut and ready to put into place.

We also planted the apple tree that we carried in the wagon all the way from Wyoming, and then the students built some split rail fence for the farm. We were all enriched by the experience of no only camping in a fine, grassy site, but also in leaving behind something that is a legacy to our Destiny of Dreamers and their two-week journey on the Oregon Trail. I know the students are having some difficult times because they realize that tomorrow they will return to their homes.

We gave them their cell phones and other electronic gadgets today. Most immediately called family members of friends. Quackgrass said she watched Darla when she was given her phone. This beautiful young girl just held the phone in her hands struggling with whether to open and turn it on or savor the final moments on the trail living a simple life of put up camp, prepare your food, find a place to sleep, ride in a wagon, or walk for hours on end. Eventually she did make a call, to her family we presume, and began crying.

Mikayla did not have a cell phone and was hanging back by the barn all by herself when we gave the other students their phones back. I handed Mikayla my phone and told her to call her family. She could not reach her Mom or Dad, but did call her Grandma. She has been the one student who truly surprised me. She was the last student we cast for this trip. During the first few days she seemed particularly quiet, almost shy. But as the physical hardship increased, so did her strength.

--Candy Moulton

We Reach Philip Foster Farm

2008-07-11T23:07:00.000-07:00

July 10, Thursday

We spent the morning in camp. The girls did some sewing with Mrs. Wragge. Some of the boys went hunting and got a couple of grouse (actually chickens Bill Vixie brought to camp). They also did some fishing with no success in that department. Mr. Dave Vixie’s wagon groups got their wagon up on the hill and then had to let it down a steep incline using ropes. I thought it was pretty scary and was worried that the rope would slip and they would either get bad rope burns on their hands, or that someone would be struck by the wagon. They worked slowly and methodically with the assistance of Mr. Dave Vixie and Mr. Nystrom, so all was well. In mid-afternoon we packed everything onto trailers again and drove down into the valley where we set up an arrival scene at Philip Foster Farm. This is a respite, and the end of the Barlow Road for us, as it was for the pioneers so long ago. When we got in, we all went to the store and had a cold soda. It tasted so good after having only warm water for the past few days to drink. It was bittersweet to film the wagons arriving at the farm. I am so relieved that we are all here safe and sound as I know what kind of accidents we could have had along the way. Lydia and Angela, who have not been with us for two days, are back on the train this evening and feeling much better. Lydia had been sick since Baker City (we took her to the hospital in LaGrande where she was diagnosed with dysentery, and again in Gresham, when we thought she may have another medical situation developing, but fortunately that was not the case). Angela had an infection in her gums from some recent tooth surgery, but after going to the hospital where she got some antibiotics, she is much better now.

As the wagons arrived, I asked Connor to walk with Candace (his bride of 24 hours). He held her hand as they made the circle, and gave her a big hug at the end of the trail. Of course their “marriage” was arranged, but they are both good sports about the situation and perhaps will stay in touch with each other after this journey ends. Tonight Connor left us for his home in Casper, WY. He has a wedding (for real) to attend for his sister and then leave for a humanitarian trip to Africa. He has been a true joy to have with us on the trail these past two weeks and Quackgrass and I will particularly miss his energy and smiling face.

The students and teachers have spread their ground cloths, lay their sleeping bags atop them, and eaten a fine dinner of fried chicken, potato salad, green salad, and pop that Quackgrass purchased at a nearby store. They will have one more night together on the trail. I hope it is clear and bright so that they can watch the stars once again. I know the hustle and bustle of their lives will soon encroach on such opportunities, particularly for those who live in the cities: Boston, Denver, and Sacramento.

--Candy Moulton

Photos on the Trail

2008-07-11T07:52:00.000-07:00

A Wedding in Camp

2008-07-10T23:56:00.000-07:00

On Wednesday evening, we had two settlers from the Wilamette Valley visit us. John told us how more land could be claimed if women were involved in the claims. Javonna and several of the other girls said they would find a husband in order to have the land. This afternoon Bob and I went to Candace and told her we were planning a wedding for the evening and needed her participation. At the conclusion of the talent show, Mr. Merchant took up the Bible and asked Candace and Connor to join him. We had a wedding! After the ceremony the young couple climbed into Kim's wagon and we "rocked them." Then we had some dancing. Connor was a little put out that he could not dance with Candace, but she plays the fiddle and helped Mr. Merchant and Ranger Jane provide the music for the dance. Connor has been working on the crew since three days before we actually began filming. He returned to crew camp with us while Candace stayed with her new trail family. It was a fun "wedding."

--Candy Moulton

Rough Trail

2008-07-09T23:46:00.000-07:00

We did not get an early start this morning partially because the students had to cook their own breakfast and then pack everything into their wagons. Trenton and Mr. Bill Vixie went grouse hunting, without success. Shortly before we were ready to head out of camp, a scruffy looking character named Wayne rode into camp. He had Bill’s horses! He had retrieved them from some renegades and came to camp looking for a trade. Katie and Mikayla stuffed his saddle bags with potatoes, and Bill got the horses back. Later he and Livee, with the help of the other students, put pack saddles on the horses and the mules, loading their gear, but leaving behind most of Bill’s possessions. He was quite upset that they had let him have only his bedroll and a very few other items.

We finally got on the trail at 11:33 a.m., which is very late in the day when you have to go eight or ten miles to the next camp. Our route was along the Barlow Road, leaving from Forest Creek Camp. The first mile or so was particularly difficult because of a steep climb and the fact that there were many trees down across the road. It was almost three in the afternoon when our trail scouts came back to us and told us we could not continue on the trail we then followed because the snowmelt had been coming out of the area around Mt. Hood due to the recent hot temperatures. The White River is running high and we cannot ford. There also was a very steep hill to climb with some difficult turns. Mr. Bill went up the road with our scouts and came back with the news that we could not make it today is road. We reversed the course of our two wagons and pack animals, and returned for Forest Creek Camp.

We got into camp by about 4 o’clock, and rested until it was time to cook dinner. Mr. Dave Vixie’s family made a strawberry pie from supplies they had traded for at Seminoe Fort back near Devil’s Gate. Mr. Merchant and Mrs. Wragge had ham and some beans for supper. I did not see what Mr. Bill Vixie’s family had for dinner.

Following the meal, we had a talent show with a monologue from “Othello” by Javonna, who was also the emcee, a song by Bailey and Andrew, some guitar music and drum accompaniment by Josh and Jakob, fiddle music by Candace, a song by Marisha, who was accompanied on the drum by Darla. The Vixie family, led by Monte (who has not had much to say all week), shared a song, I’ll call the “laughing attack.” Ranger Jane shared a story, while we had music from the teamsters, and a song by Mrs. Wragge, Ranger Jane, and Joseph. This was a fun night on the trail.

--Candy Moulton

2008-07-09T16:42:00.000-07:00

- Photos by Lincoln Morrison

On the Barlow Road

2008-07-08T23:04:00.000-07:00

This morning we changed the operation of the train, breaking the students into three family groups. One group is traveling now with Mr. and Mrs. Dave Vixie. Another is a family of Bill Vixie, Ranger Jane and several “children” while the last is the “family” of Mr. Merchant and Mrs. Wragge. Jakob said he had been homesick, but becoming a part of a family on the wagon train has helped him. Today we traveled down the Barlow Road, finding it extremely difficult to negotiate. There were downed trees and even though much of the gear was left behind at gravel camp, the wagons were still too heavy, making it difficult for the teams to pull them. Bill’s horses were missing this morning, so we had to leave one wagon behind and only had three left. In one area Mr. Dave Vixie’s family found it necessary to leave even more thing behind, including their sleeping bags, and personal possessions. Mr. Bill Vixie didn’t have much better luck. When going down one steep hill, the students were holding onto ropes to help hold the wagon back. But the hill was too much for them and the wagon picked up speed, crashing at the bottom of the hill. Fortunately Livee had taken the team down separately, and the students and Bill let go of the ropes as the wagon picked up speed, so nobody was hurt.

The other wagons had to negotiate around the broken parts left littering the trail. Later Bill and Mr. Monte Nystrom took the mules and used some pack saddles to retrieve some of the goods, so the “family” had food, blankets, sleeping bags, and other items in camp tonight.

Everybody was really beat by the time we got in to camp (crew and students alike). The families cooked their own dinner and then shared some music in Mr. Merchant’s camp.

John and Jennie, some settlers from Oregon City, come to camp. They told us about the road ahead, warning us that some of the more difficult stretches lay ahead of us with steep hills, and a river to cross. But they also told us about fertile farmland in the Willamette Valley. John really got the attention of the girls in camp when he told them they could claim land of their own, but only if they were married. The scheming began immediately as the girls began discussing the potential husband material in camp. Methinks the girls want the land more than they want the husband, but if it takes a husband to get the land, they’ll try to find one.

Today Lydia, Angela, and Mike were not on the trail as they are all still feeling unwell and remained behind with our support crew.

We did not locate Mr. Bill Vixie’s horses today. Andrew was the most upset about the missing animals, telling me he could run fast and go into the forest and just find them. Lincoln and I were both concerned he might just try to do that, so we set Ranger Jane on sentry duty to be sure Andrew did not disappear. He seemed somewhat relieved when Mr. Bill assured him the horses would eventually return home.

--Candy Moulton

Into the Blues

2008-07-08T22:43:00.000-07:00

We hit the trail in the vehicle caravan this morning, headed west across Oregon. We did some filming at the viewpoint in the Blue Mountains west of LaGrande, and spent a lot of time there, just soaking in the trail. After a lunch at Subway in Pendleton we booked it west, traveling through The Dalles and then south to Tygh Valley and Wamic before heading west into the Mt. Hood National Forest where we will be filming for the next few days. We arrived at camp to find the Washington County 4-H support team already there. We were running late (as usual on this adventure), and supper was ready. Our main course was salmon, a treat thought up months ago as I worked on research for the project and recognized that when the pioneers reached Oregon they met local Indians who provided them with information, guide service, and supplies, the predominant one of which was salmon. This evening in camp we read diary entries. One that made all the students relate to the trail dealt with a woman named Lydia who had become ill. This struck a chord because our Lydia has been ill all day. In fact, both she and Bailey spent last night in a motel in Baker City along with Ranger Jane. The two girls (and a few other students) have been dealing with some upset stomachs.

We are in Oregon

2008-07-07T09:37:00.000-07:00

We spent our first night in Oregon camped at the fairgrounds in Baker City, in order to do some filming at the wagon camp circle at the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center near town. Our first full day in Oregon had us in the vans and vehicles driving to an overlook site in the Blue Mountains between LaGrande and Pendleton, and then on west to The Dalles, where we turned south toward Tygh Valley and west toward Mt. Hood. As we made this journey, our students had no idea of the destination, but they were certainly pleased to arrive at our first campsite in the Mt. Hood National Forest.

Even though this camp was in an old gravel pit, it was ringed by forest and being far away from any town, was dark and quiet.

--Candy Moulton

2008-07-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

Frankie, Darla, Angela and Eddie....first day in camp.

Onward to Oregon

2008-07-06T23:39:00.000-07:00

Our journey resumed today when we left camp en route to Oregon. Traveling by van and car caravan, we drove to Soda Springs, Idaho, in time to see the spring spout into the air. From there it was on west to Shoshone Falls, where we took another group photo with the spray of the falls boiling up behind everyone. We arrived at our camp at the Baker County Fairgrounds in late afternoon, changed from traveling clothes (shorts and flip flops) to trail clothes (long dresses, aprons and bonnets for the girls; pants and shirts for the boys). We drove to the National Historic Oregon Trail Center near Baker City where we were greeted by Sarah LeCompte, who had kept the area open late so we could do some filming. The wind was whipping across the top of the hill, reminding me of Wyoming. It was good for the students to experience the stiff breeze, but created some difficulties for our sound crew (Lincoln Morrison and Susan Bryant) so we filmed images but little sound, before headed back down to Baker City where Mr. Merchant and Mrs. Wragge made a fine meal of spaghetti with garlic bread.

--Candy Moulton

Wild Card

2008-07-05T22:58:00.000-07:00

July 5, 2008

We had a Wild Card today and decided to lay over in Montpelier, Idaho. We are at the Allinger Park, where we have a grassy campsite with trees to provide shade and stalls for the horses and mules. The students slept in this morning and then did their laundry. After lunch we had a tour of the California-Oregon Trail Interpretive Center (Thank you Becky Smith) followed by swimming at the local pool. Some of the students took naps under the big trees.

Kim Merchant, who has the nickname "Banjo," began playing late in the afternoon and Ranger Jane, our Forest Service representative who is traveling with us, got a guitar and joined in. For supper we had taco salad and then Brian and some of the other students made homemade chocolate ice cream.

--Candy Moulton

Parting of the Ways

2008-07-04T22:58:00.000-07:00

In the 19th century, wagon companies separated at various points on the trail...some people to go to Oregon and some to California. For the past few days we have had considerable discussion about which territory should be our destiny with Mr. Merchant and Mrs. Wragge insisting Oregon has more opportunity, particularly for families, while Mr. Vixie has been obsessed with California and the idea that he might find gold out there.

This morning when we awoke, it was to find that Mr. Vixie had indeed parted our company. But while we attended to the business of the day in our early morning meeting, he returned announcing that since hd has a new son and good wife, he will hold his family together and go to Oregon.

Although Mr. Vixie returned to camp, and says he is now committed to going to Oregon, others left the wagon train today. Chuck Miller, outrider Steve Moulton, and cook Rick Stevens of Horseback Adventures, along with Kenedy, Rachel, and Frankie departed early in the morning by wagon.

Later in the day we left the Jackson Creek Campground and headed on west by vehicle, stopping at South Pass, where I had a chance to talk about the history of the area before filming began. Here we had another student, Patrick, return home.

We have now reduced our wagon train by several people and expect to maintain this number of participants.

After our stop at South Pass we drove on to Montpelier, Idaho, where we were welcomed at the National California Trail Interpretive Center, by Director Becky Smith. whose crew served a wonderful hot dinner, after which we headed to camp pitched tents in the fading light, and then sent the kids off to the high school to take showers. (Brian told me later the water was cold, but the shower felt good.)

It is the real Fourth of July today, and Montpelier is a town with plenty of fireworks. There were explosions of color all around and above us and a band has struck up some music in the park.

--Candy Moulton

Mikayla and Bob

2008-07-03T23:58:00.000-07:00

Mikayla was a rock as wagon master today, standing up, by herself, to all of the boys in the train when they were having disagreements. She REFUSED to back down and let them continue with some petty jealousies, and instead forced them to face their own insecurities and issues. That happened the night we forded the river and was powerful not only for the boys—particularly Mike and Josh who had a one-on-one that changed attitudes significantly, and Andrew and Jakob with tiny, wise Jakob helping Andrew deal with being homesick and bringing him into the fold of the wagon family. Mikayla really bared her soul to the boys in that encounter as I stood in stunned disbelief at her candor.

Later, when the camera was down, I had a moment with Bob that also rocked me. He is so strong and so determined with his film making that I could not believe it when he looked into my eyes as his own brimmed over with tears. He told me he does not know how he will be able to say goodbye to these students. I placed my hands on his arms at the shoulder and tried to lend my bit of strength to him. I know this journey is so very difficult physically for all of us. Now it has become emotionally charged by our responsibility for these children who have been entrusted to our care, and it has let us bare our own souls to each other as well.

--Candy Moulton

Shoshones

2008-07-03T23:27:00.001-07:00

This morning three young Shoshone men arrived in the area where we were filming, eventually riding their horses into the scene in order to create an element of fear. The three, Jake, Tom, and Teton, rode back and forth across the prairie, no doubt keeping an eye on the area for rattlesnakes.

Later in the afternoon more members of their family including George Abeyta and his family and James Trosper and his family, arrived. As the sun dipped below the mountains, these Shoshones were completely dressed and ready to share some of their culture with our wagon train group.

Both James and George are great-grandsons of Chief Washakie. They spoke of their heritage and culture and traded some of their goods for items from the wagon train ranging from a gun to shoes, to bullets and powder. In exchange they received leather gauntlelts and other gifts.

After trading, the Eagle Spirit Dancers performeod followed by the Foxfire drum and singing group. The Shoshones demonstrated dancing (Jake did a good hoop dance), and then invited the students to participate with them. The night sky was studded with stars, the drums pounded, Shoshone voices clearly singing, as the dancers wove through camp dancing, stirring up dust, sweeping near the fire, and turning in and on itself.

It was truly great to have these tribal members visit us and share their stories. As I stood behind the cameras watching this scene unfold naturally and fluidly, I could not help but think of the journal entries that describe similar scenes, for certainly Shoshones--perhaps even Chief Washakie himself--came to the emigrant camps, where they traded, sang, danced, and told stories.

--Candy Moulton

Stuck in the River (almost)

2008-07-03T23:27:00.000-07:00

Today a heavy fog enveloped our camp creating a quiet atmosphere in which to begin the day. By mid-morning, the students had chosen Mikayla as the wagonmaster for the day. I find it interesting that the leaders so far have been female: Lydia, Javonna, Angela, and now Mikayla.

The fog was lifting by the time the wagons rolled out of camp. This morning the wagon train forded the Sweetwater river. Mr. Mechant led the way with his wagon, and did not make it all the way across, leading Mr. Vixie to take his mule team up and across the river to double-team the wagon and pull it out. He did that with three of the five wagons.

A gold miner overtook the train today, looking for a cook named Rick who had "stolen my mule." He said that cook was known to turn mule meat into ham and wondered if the students had had or seen any. (From their collective intake of breath, I wonder if they aren't quite sure what the meat is that they received from Mr. Rick).

--Candy Moulton

We continue to celebrate

2008-07-02T16:06:00.000-07:00

Bailey reads the Declaration of Independence in celebration of Independence Day

This morning camp was aroused with much activity, Mrs. Vixie needed help in her tent and Mrs. Wragge immediately went there. As the students and Mr. Merchant continued to celebrate the Fourth of July by reading the Declaration of Independence, Mr. Vixie paced nervously. Mikayla and Darla were summoned to Mrs. Vixie's tent and soon I saw them hauling water from Mr. Rick, the cook.

We returned from our celebration of freedom in front of the markers at Independence Rock and were joined by Gaynell Park, the landowner on the Dumbell Ranch, who gave us information about how she and her husband, Norm, had worked to preserve the view east of Independence Rock, and how they had donated land around it to the State of Wyoming, so it is now a Wyoming State Historical Site. Just as she wrapped up her talk, we heard the cry of a baby. The Vixie's have a son!

Several of the girls began crying. I'm not sure if they were relieved that the baby had come without any problems, or if they were scared.

Angela was elected wagon master today and took charge of the camp organization. She assigned girls to help Mrs. Vixie with the baby. During the day I saw the infant in several different caring arms.

Later in the morning we visited the Fulkerson grave where stories were shared about death on the trail. This became an extremely emotional situation, far more so than we as film producers had ever imagined. I personally had a tough time at the grave in thinking about the loss of my own Dad last December. As I sat on a rock sobbing, I felt arms around me. When I could finally pull my head up, I found Rachel on one side and Livee on the other. Other students and adults were having similar emotional moments and through my tears I could see them all supporting each other. Already we have become a close wagon train family.

--Candy Moulton

July 1, 2008

2008-07-01T23:30:00.000-07:00

Independence Rock

Through movie making magic July 1rst became the 4th of July for the film. Our travelers walked and rode to Independence Rock nearly a 12-mile journey from their camp at Horse creek. If travelers made it to here by the 4th they were likely to make it to the west before the first snows. Two of our travelers Jacob and Patrick walked the entire 12 miles and still had the energy to dance and sing that night as we celebrated the 4th. The travelers have changed tent mates with some interesting results.

-- Bob Noll

Tuesday, July 1

2008-07-01T00:17:00.000-07:00

We have time traveled back to the mid-1800s….for the sake of discussion, the 1850s, and today we traveled to the Fourth of July in order to celebrate when we got to Independence Rock. This morning we headed down the trail and had to do a short stretch of travel on Wyoming Highway 220. Our outriders decided to stay in the highway right-of-way as long as possible, moving onto the pavement only long enough to cross the bridge over Horse Creek and then off again. Last night we camped on Murphy Ranch and today we crossed both the Pathfinder and Dumbell ranches to get to Independence Rock.

This morning the train elected Javonna as the new wagon master. It has been amazing to see the transformation of the students already. On Sunday they were really dragging. The effects of a hard day of travel on Saturday combined with high altitude (especially for our California and Boston dreamers) had left the kids less energetic than they might otherwise be. But today I noticed a real change. Quackgrass and I have long known that to really get a feel for trail life, you have to be on the wagons for at least three days…And this is Day 3.

Patrick, who is very tall and thin and who wants to be a Marine, hangs out with Jakob who is very short and fast like a rabbit when he runs. They walked all the way to Independence Rock, where the kids climbed to the top of the most written about landmark on the Oregon Trail.

We celebrated the Fourth of July here. Patrick danced an Irish jig, Bailey’s voice rang loud and clear as the Dreamers sang Amazing Grace, and there was some dancing directed by Janet Wragge.

Before the big celebration Bob asked the kids to talk about their impressions of the journey so far. I truly knew these students were capturing the spirit of the trail when one of the girls said “I don’t know what time it is, or even what day it is. I just know we have morning, noon and night.”

Candy

June 30, 2008

2008-06-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

We have a couple hills to climb.

We found ourselves heading down the trail just west of Prospect Hill when we came to a steep swale. Two of our wagon drivers Mr. Vixie and Mr. Merchant disagreed as how to safely proceed. These disagreements have become somewhat predictable between them. It seems that Mr. Vixie is contemplating trying to take the wagon train to California, while Mr. Merchant is dead set on Oregon. It’s created a bit of tension with all the travelers. As to the hill Mr. Vixie proceeded on his own after dumping his pregnant wife’s clothing trunk and her as well to save on the weight. The travelers were suitably appalled. Lydia who was the wagon master for the day scolded Mr. Vixie. Mr. Merchant enlisted the help of all the travelers and they roped his wagon down the hill.

When the wagons made camp that night at Horse creek a typical Wyoming windstorm moved in and blew down the tents of the less experienced. They’ll put their stakes in better next time.

-- Bob Noll

Monday, June 30

2008-06-30T00:16:00.001-07:00

This morning at camp, we had a general meeting where the children chose a wagon master, who will make the decisions for the train. They chose Lydia, who made the decisions on the order the wagons are placed in the train, how fast to travel, and where to park the wagons at night. After a short loop with a steep hill down and a hard pull up the other side, we headed over to the BLM Interpretive site for lunch and then the placement of an Oregon-California Trails Association trail marker. Wyoming OCTA Chapter President Pinky Ellis and member Tom Rea gave a short talk about the importance of preserving the trail and the contribution the students can make to that goal. We then headed down the road, getting into camp as a storm started rolling in. The kids got their tents up, but when the wind came up, several of them went down. We called in some of the experienced wagon train crew to provide assistance to get everything back up quickly. We had only wind, with no rain.

Today the Dreamers all seem to be getting more acclimated. It is clear that several of them have formed bonds and friendships already. They clearly like the animals. Kenedy and Olivia have definitely become friends as they work with the mules Livee is driving. Because it was windy in camp tonight, we did not have our planned diary readings. But we had a campfire where Rachel made us some popcorn in the dutch oven.

--Candy

Sunday, June 29

2008-06-29T10:06:00.000-07:00

Our students arrived at camp about 9:30 a.m. and we began immediately filming.. .they had breakfast in camp: bacon, eggs, homemade hashbrowns, muffins, juice, and some fruit. Shortly after breakfast we talked about the wagon train safety rules and took a cast photo with everyone in their In Pursuit of a Dream T-Short.

Then we began to time travel.

First, we gave every student some new clothes…although we had them keep their own comfortable hiking shoes.

After they changed into the pioneer dress, we gathered together again and talked about communication. The Mr. Merchant collected all cell phones, headsets, and other electronic devices away from the students. So, parents, if you don’t hear from your child, don’t worry about them. We will definitely be in touch with you should there be any serious issue. They won’t get their phones back until the end of the trail.

After lunch everybody loaded in the wagons and we headed out on the trail.

We came upon a camp of topographical engineers. They were out working mapping the country. We learned about how they use the instruments to determine latitude and longitude and learned some drawing techniques for making some maps and documentation of our route.

The hot sun, the high elevation (camp is at about 6,600 feet), and some walking began to show the students how hard this journey is. A couple of our students weren’t feeling too well for a while, but we gave them plenty of good water and Gatoraid, gave them some oranges, and had them sit in the shade of a wagon. Before long they were back in the thick of things.

--Candy

Sunday, June 29

2008-06-29T00:14:00.000-07:00

Today while we were at the topographer’s camp, Dreamer Dan became ill. We took him to the hospital where he was diagnosed with an illness that he almost certainly had when he left home. I called his mother and she agreed he should return to Boston. I hated to tell Dan that he had to return home, but to my relief, he told me he wanted to go home. I told him even if he is not on the trail with us physically, he certainly can be in spirit and we expect him to go all the way to Oregon.

-Candy

Prospect Hill - That’s where we are.

2008-06-28T16:28:00.000-07:00

The emigrants would have just climbed a very steep hill “Prospect Hill”. Our kids will climb it in the vans tonight. Lucky them! Tomorrow they will walk with the wagons.

---Bob Noll

The First Shot

2008-06-28T16:25:00.000-07:00

In the movie business it seems that the hardest thing to do is to get the first shot done. Production being as complicated as it is the smallest things can push you behind and it always does. We may start shooting tonight with fading light because of the delays in Denver but this is really going to be a special treat for the kids when they pull up. The light at this time is the most beautiful anywhere in this country. We have chosen a particularly spectacular yet desolate area to start the trek. So no matter when we start filming it will be great. And we will get our first shot!!!

---Bob Noll

The Planes Have Landed

2008-06-28T16:24:00.000-07:00

We had a call from Jacqueline…All the Kids have arrived safely in Denver. They are with their chaperones and our crew…they will now head north to Denver. Best laid plans didn’t quite work out with a rental van, which delayed their departure from Denver so they will be late in arriving at camp. We are still prepping the camp and the delay has actually worked a bit to our benefit. Gotta race now…still much to do.

--Candy Moulton

Oh, What a View

2008-06-28T16:21:00.000-07:00

This afternoon Bob, Quackgrass and I went with BLM Archaeologist Chris Arthur down the ridge along where we will take our wagons on the first day the kids travel with us. We have planned a meeting there with a party of topographical engineers. The site Chris took us to is the point of a ridge from which there is a stunning view of the country. The wild flowers are vibrant this year and the grass is green because it has been cold and raining this spring. We can only imagine the feeling our students will have when they are standing here…it almost looks like you can see the entire world.

--Candy Moulton

The Wagons Have Arrived

2008-06-28T16:14:00.000-07:00

Wow, today was very exciting. Our five wagons pulled into camp this afternoon and it was TOTAL CHAOS. We had wagons, teams, horses, water trucks, feed vehicles (for people and for animals)…and it seemed as if we had no organization at all…But within 2-3

hours we had the wagons together and in place, dinner was being prepared, the animals were grazing. We have a Wagon Train Camp and now are eager for our students to arrive.

--Candy Moulton

Saturday, June 28

2008-06-28T10:04:00.000-07:00

Shortly after 10 we got the call that the kids and their chaperones were all on the ground at Denver International Airport…They were right on time. Thank you Jet Blue and Frontier Airlines for helping make our schedule….

Of course, whenever there is transportation there are issues, it seems, and our vans were delayed then could not travel quite as quickly as we had anticipated so the kids were running behind schedule getting to the Casper area so they got a surprise and a bed in Casper for the evening with some pizza and swimming.

--Candy

And it all comes down to this ...

2008-06-27T04:56:00.000-07:00

Well....nearly 2 years in the planning. I hope we are ready to go tomorrow...Better be the kids will be here!

Bob, Quackgrass and I sat up late last night (especially late for Bob since he had flown in from Massachusetts yesterday morning), going over our final plans for the two-week shoot. We know what we want to capture with this film. We are confident in the team we've put together to help us make it and we are excited to soon have the kids, our teachers, and other members of the wagon train on the ground and ready to go.

Well, admittedly, I still have moments of worry... but there is no more time for any panic.

This morning Connor Novotny, a recent graduate of Natrona County High School here in Casper, joined the team. He'll be helping us in many ways. Connor won first place in the Wyoming State High School short film contest this year. He's interested in a career in film, but plans to attend UW in Laramie this fall to get a degree in English. He's been doing some background work for the past couple days and has today's modern teen ability to find things on the Internet in an instant....plus he knows how to program a cell phone. Maybe I'll get him to add some numbers to mine!

He told me to not stress.

Do I appear to be stressed?

Gee, I can't imagine why. I have 24 kids headed my way tomorrow whose parents are entrusting them to my care when we are out in the boonies!

Moms and Dads (Grandmas and Grandpas) across the country, please do know I take that responsibility very seriously.

I went on my first wagon train in 1990, traveling two weeks on the Bridger Trail for Wyoming's Centennial. My life has not been the same since, for on that journey I fell in love with the trails and became hopelessly addicted to wagon train travel.

So on the day before our launch of In Pursuit of a Dream, I hope and sincerely pray for Safety, Fun, and Friendship.

--Candy

Chewing the Elephant

2008-06-26T03:31:00.000-07:00

Quackgrass and I arrived in Casper, Wyoming yesterday...to do our final preproduction for the film. We both planned to leave our homes early in the morning. It didn't happen.

I finally got my Subaru stuffed full of all the things we need: coolers, sleeping bags, clothes, blankets, camera, computer (so I can send you these blog updates), and lots more and hit the road. About 2:30 p.m., I called Quackgrass....By this time we were both expected to be in Casper. Our conversation went like this...

"Howdy," Quackgrass said. "Where are you?"

"About 5 miles from my house." (Which meant about 195 miles from Casper).

"I'm almost to Shoshoni (about 100 miles from Casper)," she said.

We both started laughing.

"Oh, well. We'll get there when we get there."

At 6:30, and still an hour out of Casper since I had to make several stops along our route to work out some details, I called and told her, "I'm starved. I didn't eat breakfast or lunch. I'll be there in about an hour. Buy a bucket of chicken and I'll meet you at Ben's."

I got to his house only 15 minutes later than planned. She and Ben had the chicken and we had a good dinner at his house then we sat and talked til it got dark. Literally. About 10 p.m. he said, "How come we're sitting here in the dark?"

"Cuz we're all too lazy to get up and turn on a light," I said....dragging myself up to go flip the switch.

Quackgrass has a 30 foot gooseneck horsetrailer that will be headquarters for she and I on this trip. It's almost as full as my Subaru. All of this is evidence that the elephant we have been chewing on since January is now in boxes and tubs! After a quick look at her setup, I headed over to the Ramada Plaza Riverside, where I'll stay for the next couple of nights. Thank you very much to manager Renee, for providing the rooms for Bob and I. The Ramada Plaza also provided our lodging when we were here in May for our production meeting. We really appreciate their support and ask you to support them if you are in Casper!

--Candy

Kim Merchant

2008-06-25T13:39:00.000-07:00

Kim is one of our very cool teachers that will be on the trip. He looks like he should always be on a wagon train!! Candy Moulton (the show producer) and I caught up with him and his students at his ranch a couple of weeks before our leaving on the production.

- Bob Noll

Pre Production

2008-06-25T13:22:00.000-07:00

Pre-production

A lot of planning goes into getting a show like this off the ground. This is just a short clip from a number of meetings we have had discussing all sorts of small details related to the show. By the way, these are all the teachers on the trip, Dave Vixie, Kim Merchant and Janet Wragge and the producers Candy Moulton and Quackgrass Sally. I'm behind the camera (Bob Noll) as always.

Can't wait to see you all in Wyoming!!

Come Along Boys...

2008-06-24T09:37:00.000-07:00

Come along boys and listen to my tale...
I'll tell you a story about the old Chisholm Trail...

That is the beginning of a very old cattle drive trail song.
This photo by Lincoln made me think of it. Perhaps we'll make up some verses to this melody when we are out on the Old Oregon Trail.

Come a ti yi yippy, yippy yea, yippy yea...come a ti yi yippy, yippy yea.

--Candy

Prairie Solitude

2008-06-24T09:06:00.001-07:00

Here are some more great photos from Lincoln....gotta run now...need to load my Subaru for the first part of my journey...the 200 mile drive from my ranch country home in southern Wyoming to Casper where I'll have to deal with traffic, stop lights, noise.... Will be so relieved to have everybody in Wyoming and ON THE TRAIL.

Just 4 days to launch.

Onward to Oregon!

--Candy

In the Background

2008-06-23T08:52:00.000-07:00

When we had our big production meeting back in January, I remember talking about the people it would take to create this film and Bob making the comment, "There will be as many people behind the camera as in front of it."

Well....not quite. But we do have a good crew to bring In Pursuit of a Dream to life....We're still putting it together but already on board are the folks I mentioned earlier: Bob, Quackgrass, Jacqueline, Lincoln, Patrick, Susan, Lynn. Plus Jeff Nicholson and Matt James as primary production assistants (PAs)...we have Connor Novotny to assist as a PA and will be getting one more person lined up for that role, too.

In the support camp in Wyoming we'll have Bob Lovato and Floyd Barela with the production trailer/vehicle shuttle crew; Rod Henderson and Doris Leigh, cooking for the crew; Ben Kern and Carl Jones, water and other support for the crew...and cast.

Quackgrass and I have traveled many a mile on the trail with Rod, Doris, Ben and Carl....Ben's been doing wagon trains since the 1950s and at age 82 is still going strong, making plans for a run with the Wyoming Stagecoach later this year.

Here's another picture of the trail veteran. The top one shows him with mules Jim and Jake.

--Candy

Eight Days Until Launch

2008-06-22T02:15:00.000-07:00

Quackgrass and I have a zillion details to work out. I was determined to sort through all my piles in my office, but at 2 a.m. decided I better hit the hay for a few hours and left it undone. I did get my bedroll out and hung it on the fence to "shake out the spiders" who might have found a home there since I used it last summer on the Overland Trail wagon train. Fortunately there really were no spiders, because I hate bugs!

Also washed bedrolls that some of the kids will use, and drove in to my little town of Encampment to make the arrangements with Doggett Greenhouse for some props we need. Mary and Gary donated a portion of them...thank you guys! Mary told me next time I plan something like this to keep her in mind, she'd love to go along as a chaperone....And she'd be a good one cuz I happen to know she's a great cook! Not that the cooks we have this year are anything less than great, mind you.

I'd be better prepared for this film shoot if I could get some of my other work out of the way...Let's see, before Tuesday I need to finish the layout for the OCTA News From the Plains, which I edit; finalize the proof on the Western Writers of America Roundup magazine, which I also edit, write two articles for True West magazine, one for Wild West magazine, and four columns for The Fence Post. There are clothes to wash, script elements to finish, plus doublechecking on all of our permissions and permits....better hop to it....after some zzzzs.

--Candy

Take a Dip in Sunscreen

2008-06-21T10:52:00.001-07:00

Remind people to dip themselves in sunscreen twice a day, bring good hats with a wide brim, and hydrate, hydrate, hydrate.
How else can I help?

Lincoln Morrison

Camera/Lighting/Sound

Lincoln's Photos

2008-06-21T10:46:00.000-07:00

Here are some of Lincoln's photos from the production of "Footsteps to the West" for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY.

Lincoln's Packing his Equipment

2008-06-21T10:39:00.000-07:00

Hi Everybody!

Tonight I worked at Universal Studios filming a concert in the Gibson Amphitheater sponsored by Rock Corps, an organization that requests volunteers donate their time to various community service projects in exchange for concert tickets. A number of bands performed, including Puddle of Mud, Busta Rymes, and Akon to name a few. Its hard to believe that in one short week I'll be in a much quieter place...

I'm gettin' really excited about heading off into the wild west.
I was lucky enough to work with Boston Productions on the films for the National Historic Trails Visitors Center in Casper and I've got to tell you - we are all in for a tremendous adventure! The people here in LA that I tell about the trip, friends and professional film-makers, are awestruck with envy at the opportunity we are all sharing.
I'm starting to make lists: film equipment, sound gear, camping stuff, clothes... Will it be hot or cold, or both?, I promise myself to remember my good rain gear, while hoping I'll never need it. Don't forget the little camping pillow from the trip I took hunting for Bigfoot with the Sci-Fi channel. Granola bars, chocolate, and beef jerky. Let's see, what else. Oh yeah, a petsitter for the cat. Hmm - pay the rent and bills before departure. The excitement builds!
I think the students are going to be amazed at the hardships endured by our forefathers...and we'll have it easy by comparison! Will the animals have enough water? Will the people? What do you mean, we can't just run to the 7-11?
Let your imaginations run wild! And I hope we have a really capable, inventive cook!
Bring a book or two, a deck of cards, some sort of small instrument. No TV! We're going to have to talk to each other!
Get ready to navigate the desolation in our prairie schooners, our desert ships.
I'll enclose a few pictures that will help you envision our trek...

-- Lincoln Morrison
Camera/Lighting/Sound

Some of Our Friends

2008-06-20T18:30:00.000-07:00

You don't put on a wagon train, or a film shoot that involves a wagon train, without a lot of help...Here's a photo from a trip Quackgrass and I did in 2006. Quite a few of the folks in this photo will be out with us as support for In Pursuit of a Dream.

--Candy

Jacqueline's on Board

2008-06-20T18:26:00.001-07:00

Had a production meeting conference call today with Quackgrass, Bob, and Jacqueline Sheridan, who has joined our team as another producer. She has lots of experience with film making and with living in a tent so we certainly do welcome her. I'm joining Quackgrass in the "list pile" department. As my family will tell you, my office is always a disaster...but never more so than now.

Other crew who will be helping create In Pursuit of a Dream are Lincoln Morrison (sound), Susan Bryant (sound), and Patrick Ruth (camera).

--Candy

Lynn's Dress

2008-06-20T17:40:00.001-07:00

Lynn Porter, our EMT for the shoot (who is a student at Idaho State University in Pocatello) just sent me this message:

I just did a photo shoot for the University Relations photographer. That meant wearing my dress to work to satisfy all those "I want to see your dress" people. I learned plenty; a/c is good, rolling secretary chairs are bad and drivers cannot see you when you cross the street.

My anthropology advisor said that I should go home and put shorts on now that everyone had seen my dress.

--Lynn Porter
Semper Vigilans K-9 Rescue and Recovery

Camera Rigging

2008-06-19T19:35:00.001-07:00

Just got off the phone with Bob...He's working on a camera rig for the wagon that my husband, Steve, will build. Now Steve has built a lot of things in his day, including our house, furniture under his Flying S Ranch brand (all custom, really gorgeous stuff, if I do say so myself), wagon pieces and parts, and my desk (which you cannot see because it is piled so high with notes, paperwork, research books, etc.)..he's never built this kind of camera rigging. With this camera rig we hope to capture some great views of our wagon drivers and Dreamer cast as they ride the trail. Gotta race now. Still have 16 things on today's "to do" list.

--Candy

Hey, Where's the Dog?

2008-06-19T19:31:00.000-07:00

Cows are calved...... pastures and hay fields are growing.... my draft horse mare has her 2 mo. old spotted filly in the corral and its 70 degrees outside in Montana! Where did the time go and it can’t be only a week until Candy and I take off for “Dreamers” to begin! Ahhhhhhhh !!!!!!

The piles of “props” and stuff are taking over my dining room!!!! You have to weave through the big canvas bags marked “flour” and “beans,” dodge the boxes with journals, canteens and “housewives” in them and maneuver past baskets of quilts, cast iron pots, and rice bags. My poor husband has to check with me before eating anything in the kitchen in case it’s “prop food” and my dog “Surrey” is hiding out under the roll desk for fear of being packed up in a sleeping bag. BUT it’s organized chaos, even if I do tend to “twitch” on and off when I read the latest e-mail from Candy!

I think the “just one more thing” list is seven feet long and the sticky notes have taken over the computer screen AND keyboard now! I have 6 clip boards of lists and today I’ll hook up my horse trailer to the pickup so I can start loading it. (It’s the Official Prop/Production Trailer... good thing I scooped out the horse poop yesterday) I’ve e-mailed all the kids, reminding them to label all their gear (I AM the Official Nag of this adventure) and I’m working on getting the tons of horse feed we will need for the mule teams. Ah the joys of “film making”...... where is Sam Elliott when you need him! Gotta run....HEY, is that bag moving.... ok, where’s the dog..............??!

--Quackgrass

They're In the Mail

2008-06-19T18:23:00.000-07:00

Howdy to our Dreamers....I have just mailed each of you an "In Pursuit of a Dream" T-shirt...Please wear it on the first day of our journey as you head to the airport so you will be able to recognize each other.

The days are ticking down...lots to do so will keep this short.

--Candy

My Own Wagons !!!

2008-06-07T19:44:00.000-07:00

Happy Day!!! Steve and I went to an estate auction down in North Park, Colorado, today and I came home as the proud owner of two wagons! My very own...something I've wanted for a long time. My cousins Jim and Valerie and friend Corey hauled one home on their trailer and other cousins Ron and Cyndi loaned us their trailer to haul the other.

--Candy

Production planning

2008-05-16T17:51:00.000-07:00

Bob captures some images of Kim and his students while the kids visit Kim's ranch during a school field trip.

Janet, Dave, and Kim share some trail images during our production planning meeting in Casper as Bob captures the action!

Our Cast is In Place

2008-05-03T10:42:00.000-07:00

Bob and I have made the final decisions on our cast and I had both the joy of calling students to tell them they have been selected, and the difficult task of telling others they won't be able to travel with us. Our decisions were based on so many factors.... In some cases we wanted a kid who was tall, or perhaps short; we wanted one who was funny, or serious; we wanted one who had never traveled, or who had been to many areas of the country; we wanted kids in top physical shape, and those who may not be. In a nutshell, we wanted real diversity in our cast. We have an equal number of boys and girls all between the ages of 12 and 17.

To those of you who were not chosen for the cast....we loved your interest, enthusiasm, and talent. I just wish we could take all of you on the trail, but, alas, our space and resources are limited.

--Candy

Off to Sacramento

2008-04-19T19:36:00.000-07:00

What a day! Dave Vixie came down and helped me with the auditions here in Sacramento. We had 24 students come out. All are so interesting and fun it is going to be extremely difficult to winnow the field and only take a few of the students out to travel with us this summer. This is our last round of auditions. Tomorrow I head to Oregon to do some pre-production location scouting. Because we don't want our cast to know all about the areas where we will film, I won't say much about the scout until we are actually on the trail.

--Candy

Denver and Boston Auditions

2008-04-12T19:42:00.000-07:00

What excitement. This is our first big day of auditions for the film. While Bob and Andre are doing auditions in Boston, I'm in Denver with my good friends Mike and Chuck, who regularly work for Wyoming Tourism, but who are here on their own time. All of the kids were great to meet. I asked one boy, "Have you ever been to Wyoming," and he said, "Not if I can help it." Chuck and Mike and I busted up laughing...(Bob will probably not appreciate our guffaws on the audition tape). When I told the student that Chuck and Mike work for Wyoming Tourism, he broke into a grin and did an impromptu ad for Yellowstone. Just great! What fun it is going to be to work with these kids this summer.

--Candy

Night Calving

2008-02-19T02:28:00.000-08:00

Sitting with a hot cup of tea after checking cows out in the barn, feels great on a winter's night at 2 in the morning here in Montana. It gets pretty cold and I'm the "night hawk"... which means that I go out multi times during the night checking cows who may be getting ready to have a baby calf. My cowboy husband and I calve out about 150 cows here in the Clark's Fork Valley, south of Bridger (named after the mountain man Jim Bridger). Thinking about and planning for the OCTA film adventure in June and July, knowing it will be hot out on the prairie, while its -2 below here, buzzes my brain! Candy and I have a ba-zillion things to get organized and gathered up before we head out for this project. My pup "Surrey" is snuggled up at my feet on top my fuzzy slippers.... she is my black 'n white wagon buddy when I drive my buckboard. I think she's dreaming of this summer's fun..... 24 teenagers on a wagon train headed to Oregon.... must be why she's twitching!!

My dining room is already getting a bit of "prop" stuff piled and the sticky notes are starting to multiply along the sides of my computer screen (I think they grow when I’m not looking) of things I have to do, find or make for the “Dreamers.” The journals I’m making have been fun and I hope the kids will be able to make “entries” while they live this wagon train adventure.
Well, better bundle up & go check cows.................. happy trails. Quackgrass Sally

Strike Two on the Red Iguana

2008-01-20T23:18:00.000-08:00

Made two trips to the airport providing shuttle service, on the last one back, I took a wrong exit and found a shortcut to the hotel that would have saved me a lot of time had I known about it earlier—which delightfully had only one stoplight, which was green. Made plans to go to the Red Iguana for dinner. Make another run to the airport just before 9 p.m. and noted that the Red Iguana was still open with a line out front. Dropped Bob at the airport to pick up a rental car then Quackgrass and I zipped back over to the Red Iguana to get in line for a table. Arrived to find the place had closed. Strike Two. Bob said he will try again tomorrow so we had a dandy dinner at Denny’s where the high-on-caffeine salt and pepper crowned platter princess batted her eyes at Bob and said, “It’s okay, Honey, I didn’t charge you for that second orange juice,” as she rubbed her hand down his arm.”

As she took his credit card to the cash register, I said, “See, I told you she was flirting with you.” When she returned with the meal receipt she craftily told him she was just going off duty knowing he was going out the door soon, too. I told him, “It’s cold outside, she’s looking for somebody to keep her warm,” and Bob said, “She’s going to stay cold,” as he quickly put on his coat and exited the building with Quackgrass and I flanking him. (We always watch out for our friends!)

--Candy

First Bite of Elephant

2008-01-19T21:15:00.000-08:00

In the meeting, ideas flying, the project begins to take on a new life with the synergy of creative people, diverse backgrounds, differing viewpoints. I’m seeing the job before me growing, becoming more complex. At times I’m near panic. I just have to make myself remember that I don’t have to eat the whole elephant at one sitting. I’ll just bite off a chunk and try to get it down before I take another bite. Later Quackgrass asked me which end of the elephant I intended to begin eating on first. Mid-morning I announced we would be going to the Red Iguana for dinner as I had made a reservation. At noon called to confirm the reservation at the Red Iguana…They didn’t get it written down and we can’t get in, so will have to eat somewhere else.

--Candy

We finally took a break after a full morning of discussing this project. I snuck over to the room and called my husband back on the ranch in Montana. I said “I think I’m out of my field of expertise. I feel like a wild oat in a field of alfalfa. I have a professor on one side, outstanding scholars and historians, and award-winning directors and teachers surrounding me in this room.” And he said, “Don’t worry, honey, you’re not wild oats, you’re just Quackgrass, you’ll do just fine.

--Quackgrass

Dave Vixie

2008-01-18T20:07:00.000-08:00

Dave Vixie teaches middle school at Paradise Adventist Academy in Paradise, CA. He regularly takes a journey with his students to travel the trail to California across the Black Rock Desert of Nevada, and really was our inspiration for In Pursuit of a Dream. Dave is a member of the Board of Directors for the Oregon-California Trails Association.

Kim Merchant

2008-01-18T20:00:00.000-08:00

Kim Merchant teaches elementary special education in Casper, Wyoming, and is an experienced trail traveler. He drove his wagon more than 600 miles on the Bozeman Trail in 2001 (traveling with Quackgrass and Candy), and has done many other wagon trains both before and after that time. Whenever you find Kim in camp, you're likely to hear some music. He plays guitar and banjo and his young daughter, Ana, plays fiddle. Youngest daughter, Rachel is just learning to play the fiddle. Kim's wife, Leah, tends the home place when he's out on the trail.

Janet Wragge

2008-01-18T19:55:00.000-08:00

Janet Wragge teaches at Oregon Trail Elementary School in Casper, Wyoming. She is an experienced reenactor who does presentations at school and public events. She is one of the three teachers we have selected to help us with In Pursuit of a Dream. Knowing her attention to detail, desire to accurately represent the trail era, and enthusiasm for the Oregon Trail we know she is going to be a lot of fun to work with.

Salt Lake City Here We Come

2008-01-18T18:08:00.000-08:00

Two days on the road already driving through whiteout conditions on I-80 from my rural home in Encampment to Salt Lake City for a creative meeting on the project. Arrived in town and had a call from Bob, so went to the airport and picked him up. I had a recommendation to have dinner at the Red Iguana and drove right past the place on the way to the airport. There was a line out the door. Stopped, picked up a menu, and asked about reservations for dinner tomorrow. Got Bob, drove back through the city to the hotel. When I stomped on the brakes because the light turned yellow, he said they don’t drive like that in Boston. And I told him the nearest stoplight to my home is more than 70 miles away. I’m not used to them. I continued through downtown Salt Lake City, and before we got to the hotel, six blocks—and six more stoplights away—he offered to do the driving. I handed him the keys when we headed to dinner.

--Candy

It’s Friday night and we’re in a Salt Lake Bistro. It’s not all that late but we’re the only ones in here. We order and I ordered chicken. Candy ordered salmon, Paul had pork chops, Bob had some kind of tuna and gave very specific detail on how he wanted it cooked, not cold but not hot, and Edna had a steak. When the tall, perky waitress brought out the food she placed it before us and Bob said, “Nice presentation.” I looked at the plate of chicken in front of me and my reaction was what the hell is this spaghetti sticking up out of the top of my mashed potatoes. Am I supposed to light this on fire? It’s not my birthday.

Then the waitress placed Candy’s salmon in front of her. It also had a spaghetti sticking out of her mashed potatoes. I looked at her plate and said, “Is that salmon?” because it looked exactly looked like the chicken on my plate. Candy said, “No, this is not salmon.”

When the waitress noticed the looks on both of our faces, she said “Is there a problem?” Candy said, “I had ordered salmon and this is chicken,” and the waitress said, “Oh, I thought you said saaame one.” And I thought Candy doesn’t have an accent. It’s Salmon not saaam on.” And Candy said, “It’s okay, I like chicken.” And the waitress responded, “We were out of salmon.”

Later, after hearing some of the conversation at our table a gentleman came over and began removing the painting from the wall that was nearest to our table. He even took a piece from farther away telling us how expensive they were. Meantime Edna suddenly piped up with, “Please tell me there’s a set of stairs behind the booth where you are sitting because that man just disappeared into the floor.” Later, back at the hotel pub, we told the bartender who had recommended the restaurant and even made a personal call to tell them we coming over and asked them to give us special service, that we thought the meal was excellent, but that Candy had ordered salmon and gotten chicken because they were out of salmon. And he told us that he had just restocked the cooler with salmon that morning and knew they could not have served that much salmon during the day.
--Quackgrass

Quackgrass Sally

2008-01-17T19:10:00.000-08:00

Quackgrass Sally makes her home near Bridger, Montana, where she ranches with her husband, Larry. She is active in both the Oregon-California Trails Association and the National Pony Express Association. (She was one of the first women ever allowed to ride with the Pony Express riders in recreating the historic era of 1860-61.)

Quackgrass got her name during the Montana Centennial celebration. She's been involved in several film productions including FAR AND AWAY, "Stagecoach" for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY; and "Ten Days That Changed America: Gold Rush" for PBS. She has her own horse and wagon and has traveled on the Bozeman, Overland, and Cherokee Trails as outrider and wagon driver.

For In Pursuit of a Dream she is the associate producer, props manager, and Candy's right hand.

Candy Moulton

2008-01-17T13:27:00.000-08:00

Candy Moulton is writing and producing In Pursuit of a Dream. She was reared on her grandparent's homestead ranch and is married to a rancher. Candy co-wrote "Footsteps to the West," "River Crossing," "Stagecoach" and "Handcart Experience" and helped produce all of those media programs for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY. She has also worked on other documentaries including "Investigating History Series: Mountain Massacre" for Kurtis Productions/The History Channel, " and "Ten Days that Changed America: Gold Rush." She is the author of a dozen Western history books including Wagon Wheels: A Contemporary Journey on the Oregon Trail, Chief Joseph: Guardian of the People, Everyday Life in the Wild West from 1840-1900, Everyday Life of American Indians from 1800-1900, and Roadside Histories of Wyoming, Colorado, and Nebraska. She edits News from the Plains for the Oregon-California Trails Association, and Roundup Magazine for Western Writers of America. Candy has traveled hundreds of miles by wagon train on the Bridger, Bozeman, Oregon, California, Mormon, Cherokee, and Overland Trails. She makes her home near Encampment, Wyoming.

Bob Noll

2008-01-17T10:51:00.000-08:00

Bob Noll and Boston Productions Inc., the company hired to create "In Pursuit of a Deam," are inseparable. He is the creative director and cameraman for the company and has worked on many trail-related programs including films for the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, WY. Besides film making, one of Bob's passions is helping others, which is why he participates in Habitat for Humanity programs each year.