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Brent C (B.C.) Moore Journals

May 29, 1997

Location: Bridgeport, Nebraska - Location: 41:39:55N 103:05:55W Elevation: 3653 feet

Summary: Broadwater to Bridgeport --search for Chimney Rock continues, new horse job.

Journal entry: I am sitting in Virginia's suburban avoiding the light rain that has met us here in Bridgeport. Once again, we walked on pavement all day. 17 miles a day on pavement for 3 days can really pound your joints. We have been joined for the past few days by Boy Scout troop 1068 from Texas. They have been helping to pull the handcarts, and they are doing a great job. I thought that after a month of conditioning I would be able to handle walking on the pavement. But it really wears me out. I will be ready for bed soon.

We have seen some pretty scenery today -- we are just two miles away from Courthouse Rock and Jail House Rock. They almost look like big birthday cakes made out of red rock.

Still no sign of Chimney Rock. We are close, and the locals say that all you have to do is go up on a nearby rise to see it. I have mine and Virginia's binoculars ready to go. I tried all day to see the rock, but to no avail. Tonight I will try again.

When I got into camp today, I was asked if I could find a few people to help out a teamster named Dean. His helper has left for good, and he needs a few extra hands to help harness, feed, and water his team of draft horses. They are big, golden Belgians, and I can see that Dean could use the help. I talked with Heber and Joe, two fellow handcart pushers, and we are all going to help with the team.

Hi, it's me, Amy. We were just talking about last week. It was a week ago today that Brent asked me to marry him. I was so excited I could hardly contain myself. I wanted to tell the whole world. I guess Brent is doing a good job at that. I don't think he told you about the party we had that night at the church. As we walked to the church after he asked me, he said something about waiting to see how long it would take for someone to notice my prairie diamond. So we got to the church and I was bursting to tell everyone that we were engaged. I don't know how I managed to hold my tongue. Everyone was sitting there acting like it was a normal day. Then Brent spilled the beans. He couldn't wait. That's okay with me. I was ready to talk anyway. We happened to have supplies for s'mores so we offered them to the others seeking shelter there. It was a lovely engagement party. It is fun to be engaged. I highly recommend it

Last time I wrote I started to tell you about how I came out here and got to know Brent. I think I left off at lunch on the first day. Well, it would take too long to write everything. I just want to say that it has been a pleasure to get to know him this way. Everything more or less worked out for me to stay here. It was a leap of faith to stay. And as I got to know Brent better every day I felt more and more that he must be the reason I stayed. He is a good man. I was impressed by him from the beginning. He is so good natured and helpful. I could go on and on but I don't want to embarrass him.

My heavens, I am tired. It really was a long day. It is still tiring to walk so far every day. It isn't painful anymore-- as long as my shoes are working for me. Finding comfortable shoes is so important on this trip. Well, I am going to sleep. Bye.