Wagon Wheels: A Contemporary Journey on the Oregon Trail

Rating:
Summary: Commendable accomplishment
Review: A spirited read and praiseworthy effort to promote the historical importance of the Oregon Trail.
In 1993, to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Great Migration westward, Candy Moulton, Ben Kern and Earl Leggett, with multitudes of others along the way, traveled from Independence, Missouri to Independence, Oregon in covered wagons. Although at times having access to today's modern conveniences and comforts, the undertaking no doubt was laborious, fatiguing and strenuous.
Candy's writing style is creative and harmonic, bringing together quotes from overlanders' diaries and journals to emphasize the hardships and perils these pioneers had to confront.
Enjoyable and insightful.

Rating:
Summary: An exciting account of a modern day wagon train journey
Review: Candy Moulton and Ben Kern have captured the reality of the west through the experiences of their 1993 expedition by wagon train from Independence, Missouri to Independence, Oregon. Through excerpts from Ben's daily journal and diaries of their historic predecessors you will feel the essence of every phase of this spectacular undertaking. The tasteful blend of history and the modern day adventure fill the gap from past to present. The authors have you hearing the creak of the wagon, the rumble of iron tires on hard-packed earth, and the jingle of trace-chains. You can almost feel the rolling lilt of the wooden seat beneath you, and smell the approaching rain overwhelming the everpresent scent of the sagebrush and dust. If you want to feel like you are really there on the trail, this is the book for you. You soon will be anticipating the view or the adventure that waits around the next bend or on the next page. This is one of those books that is hard to put down. --- Jefferson Glass, Local Historian