Caravan trip provides window into pioneers' lives

      Have you ever wondered what it must have been like for our forefathers to leave home and family and travel by horseback, wagon or on foot to the west? Or what it would have been like as a young bride to say good-bye to parents and a life you knew for unknown dangers and travel west with your new husband, knowing you would probably never see your parents again?

      I have often pondered these things. Gazing upon the waters of the Mississippi River I have been amazed at what those brave souls must have faced. They had no roads, no bridges, and there would have been much uncertainty.

      Last week I was privileged through my job here at The Ledger to travel with the Sesquicentennial Horse Caravan as it made its way to the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines.

      Foremost in my mind as I rode in an authentic wagon pulled by two horses over dusty gravel roads, through a bean field and on paved highways was that this was as close as I would ever come to experiencing a minute fraction of what the pioneering families faced.

      You see, I got to ride in the wagon, where they would have walked or ridden horseback, women and children alike, other than those too small to walk. Their wagons would have been piled full of all their worldly goods with room only on the driver's seat for two adults. Also, our way was mapped out well ahead of time with stops for lunch, prepared for us, and an overnight stop in a safe environment, also with the evening meal prepared for us. There were showers available, and toilets, and if there was an accident there was medical help not far away. Most of those participating with their horses, or mules, and wagons also had trailers to haul their gear and/or for sleeping, which were moved to the next stop early in the morning. None of these amenities awaited our forebears.

      Overall, it was an experience for which I am glad I had the opportunity, and only wish that everyone could have the same experience. As I did not travel the complete distance I am sure my thoughts are not those of the registered participants, but there were many memorable occurrences, some of which I will share with you.

      Our editor, Vicki Tillis and I shared the duties of riding and reporting through the written word and photos. My day to ride was Tuesday, the longest day, and rather than get up in the middle of the night to get my truck to Monroe and ride back to Oskaloosa on the shuttle and be ready to ride by 7 a.m., I went the night of Aug. 9 and spent the night in the back of my truck. It was damp, chilly and the bed was hard, but I was toasty warm in my sleeping bag. Again, my thoughts were of those hardy folks who went west when the country was young, sleeping under the stars with wild animals and Indians about.

      My ride for the day was in the wagon driven by Gary Pellett of Atlantic. His wife Donna rode with him on the seat while their grandsons, 4-year-old Colby and 8-year-old Cooper Richardson, rode in back with me. That is unless Colby rode up front and Cooper decided to ride Deuce, a horse ridden part of the time by 14-year-old Kelly. Cooper, as are most 8-year-olds, was full of information, and as he told me about horses I am sure he noticed my ignorance of the subject. He was adorable in his coonskin cap and unintentionally put me to shame with his knowledge.

      His mom, Lori Richardson, rode Blackie, and she and Kelly were called outriders. Actually, that was one fact I did know without being told. She runs her own business when she isn't riding, and told me her husband Alan was picking up their foreign exchange student for the coming school year at the airport that afternoon. He would be bringing him to ride in the caravan. What a story that young man will have to tell when he goes home!

      For the complete story, read the Aug. 16 Fairfield Ledger.