Parting of the Ways

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