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Margaret Clark Journals

May 5, 1997

Location: Wood River, Nebraska - Location: 40:49:14N 98:35:59W

Summary: Grand Island to Wood River

Journal entry: Our stay at the Stuhr Museum was quite eventful. They opened the entire area to the trek people. The fields were dry and grassy and really quite comfortable. All the museums were opened free to the public. On Sunday we were all refreshed with our church services.

Today was a beautiful day. The skies were blue and the temperature reached about 70 degrees. We had that Nebraska breeze that everyone always talks about. It just pushed us on our way. We traveled 16 comfortable miles.

Two new blisters to care for, but the feet aren't as swollen. I hope most of us are over the worst with our feet. Getting blisters anymore is no big deal. Family Home Evening tonight with the walkers was a lesson on how to take care of your feet, including caring for blisters. Pretty sensible.

In Wood River tonight the community fed us a great barbecue dinner. The program included a mens barbershop quartet that was excellent. I just really enjoyed their singing. And the best part was it was a long program. My favorite number they sang was "O Bury Me Not on the Lone Prairie." It was just beautiful..

On the trail today we passed the Cedar Hollows Elementary School in Grand Island. They all cheered and waved hello.

Also traveling with us today is Cindy Benson from Danneborg. She is a cancer survivor and felt it was more important today to ride with the wagon train than keep her doctors appointment. We also met Ashley and Zachary Miller ages 9 and11. They do home schooling. Leezanna Hill and her family were with us from Kearney. Brother Hill is one of the wagon masters of the trek.

At lunch a wagon team got a little riled and tried to take a different route than the road. They ended up heading into a field.

Today we also walked on the original wagon ruts made by the first pioneers. There is a marker there to tell everyone this is the trail. I appreciate all the comments I have received from the e-mail. I cannot spend a lot of computer time and walk with the trek too, so please understand I am very appreciative.. I hope you can sort of feel the trail with me.

Walking down the road gets long and tedious at times. But we have good conversation with good friends, and it helps to shorten the miles. Many of us are still becoming acclimatized to the conditions and are trying to build endurance and strength. Right now as a group our biggest problem is our feet. We appreciate our leaders and their guidance. We have morning and evening devotionals with prayer for our safety and well-being and thanks for the safe day. This is with the big group as a whole and with the walkers separately. We know our purpose is important and we are determined to tell the world. Most of us have a similar reason for participating...to honor our pioneer heritage. Two weeks together has created some lasting friendships already. We will do this and hopefully this web site will bring you along. It is an exciting adventure.

One of our walkers is Arianna Herterich. She is 14 years old and lives in Hemet Ca. I asked her to write a journal page.

Dear Journal,
The trail is not as hard now compared to when we first started out. The fourth day my feet were showing major blisters and my knees hurt. The scenery usually takes my mind off the hardships. The greatly appreciated breezes are a reminder of home. My home I left in Hemet, Ca. to come and feel what the early pioneers felt. I am more grateful for shoes and roads. Let me tell you that handcarts and gravel don't mix. I pushed a handcart on gravel and then on a road and there is a difference. Making friends is another plus and I have many...old and young, male and female, day walkers and some going the whole trek like me. I think I've experienced all weather this trip except snow. In just two weeks I did experience snow on the way to Omaha, Nebraska. Don't get me wrong. I'm loving this trek more than anything I've ever done. I'm going to miss all that I've talked about in a couple of months. I love this.