Heritage Gateways

Brent C (B.C.) Moore Journals

May 26, 1997

Location: Oshkosh, Nebraska - Location: 41:24:18N 102:20:38W

Summary: Lewellen to OshKosh -- Rain all day, gymnasium party

Journal entry: I am sitting in a laundromat next to the burger barn on the main drag through OshKosh, Nebraska. It is raining steadily outside, and Amy, myself, and a few other teamsters have come in here to dry off our clothes in the dryers. The hum of the dryers is lulling me to sleep. It will be nice to have dry clothes again.

We pulled out of the fair grounds and onto highway 92 for a 14 mile day to OshKosh. After about two hours on the trail, light rain began to fall, and has been falling ever since. As we approached OshKosh, most of us were soaked--either inside or out. When you are walking in a poncho or rain jacket, you get soaked more from your own sweat than from the rain. We were passed by a lot of weary travellers in RV's and campers -- surely disappointed that their Memorial Day was ruined by the rain.

Speaking of Memorial Day, I imagine that pulling a handcart is a good way to remember our ancestors who have passed on. I haven't taken any flowers to the cemetary this year, but I feel that they would be honored to know that thousands of people are remembering the lives of the pioneers this year.

When we pulled into town, we were told that the local high school had opened up its doors for us to sleep in the gym and take showers. Before long, the basketball court had turned into a beehive of activity, with people and things sprawled out everywhere.

Now, more about how I met Amy. It wasn't until her friends left her here all alone that we really began to get acquainted. We were both out on the trail by ourselves, and it was nice to have a friend. Day after day as we walked and pushed the handcart we had hours to talk and laugh. It was as if the Lord recognized that we are so busy back home that we needed this time together to get to know each other.

I saw many things that I liked about her -- her smile, her gift for singing, her patience and creativity with the children on the wagon train, and her commitment to do what she knows is true. After about two weeks of being together almost 24 hours a day, I decided that she is a treasure.