Heritage Gateways

Wendy Westergard Journals

June 5, 1997

Location: Fort John/Laramie - 508 m. left, Wyoming - Location: 42:12:46N 104:31:00W Elevation: 4250 feet (Fort lays about 1-1/2 miles west from the river. Ford is good in low water. River 108 yards wide. Wall and houses are adobe, or Spanish brick. Altitude, 4,090 feet) -522 miles from Winter Quarters

Summary: The longest day..29 miles

Journal entry: We went 29 miles today. It was a killer. I rode on the wagon most of the day. The walkers had their hardest day yet. We weren't on asphalt all day. The last part was in a back country of people's yards next to a river. It was a beautiful area, but I'm sure it was extremely hard for the walkers. When they came in not one of the walkers had a dry eye. People were very emotional. It was a touching sight. When they came into camp many of them were singing. They all looked so tired. I just gave them hugs and congratulated them.

We had left that morning at 7 o'clock. We traveled all day, and the wagons took very short breaks. We arrived into camp about 5:30 in the evening. the handcarts arrived around 6:30 p.m. They have earned everyone's admiration and respect.

This camp we are camped at is neat. I hope I will get to explore further tomorrow.