Adults Adventure on a Historic Wagon Trip

By Katie Stewart, DiscoveryBound Outreach Manager

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to go back in time? This past July, 18 adventurous adults from across the country and two DiscoveryBound Outreach staff members embarked on a three-day journey across portions of the intersecting Oregon, Mormon Pioneer, California, and Pony Express Trails. It was an incredible opportunity to experience a unique part of our nation’s history firsthand and to better understand what it means to be a pioneer – in the literal and spiritual sense! 

Our adventure began in Casper, Wyoming, where we got to know each other better and stepped back in time by watching the film, Onward and Upward Chain: Pioneers of Christian Science in the 1880s (produced by Longyear Museum). With that preparation fresh in thought, the following day we departed for the trailhead to begin our journey, just west of Split Rock. 

Along the way, we stopped at the imposing and historic Independence Rock, where thousands of emigrants carved their names onto the “Great Register of the Desert” more than 150 years ago. Pioneers historically aimed to reach Independence Rock by July 4 to miss the worst of the winter that awaited them in Oregon and California if they fell too far behind schedule. We were right on time! 

We met up with wagonmaster Morris Carter of Historic Trails West and his team at the sixth crossing of the Sweetwater River. Morris is a descendant of real pioneers who traveled west on the Oregon Trail and eventually settled in Wyoming. He has dedicated his life to preserving and sharing the history of the Oregon Trail and even hand-built the historically accurate, wood-wheeled wagon we set off in – only adding benches to the inside and springs to the underside (for which we were very grateful!). 

Once we had all loaded into the wagon or mounted horses, we were off! Pulled by two massive Belgian Percheron horses, we crossed rivers, ascended rolling, scrub-covered hills, and bounced along the trail past historic markers and old cabins. Morris invited us up in turn to sit with him in the driver’s seat and shared historic tidbits and stories of his experiences on the trail. 

Each afternoon, we were greeted at camp by Morris’s friendly team in their historically accurate attire. After helping to set up our canvas tents, we enjoyed delicious Dutch-oven-cooked meals and learned more about what life was like on the Oregon Trail – even churning our own butter and roasting our own coffee! – and then went to sleep under the wide open sky full of stars. 

It was a hot and bumpy ride each day, and at times we had to disembark and walk alongside the wagon – like when we crossed the notoriously difficult “Rocky Ridge.” We glimpsed just a fraction of how challenging each day would have been for the thousands of individuals who bravely made their way west by wagon almost two centuries ago. Despite the heat and terrain, we swapped stories, sang songs, encouraged each other, and made each other laugh. 

We each endeavored to apply the trip’s metaphysical theme: “Cause me to hear thy lovingkindness in the morning; for in thee do I trust: cause me to know the way wherein I should walk; for I lift up my soul unto thee” (Psalm 143:8). 

One participant later shared this message with DB staff:

I loved seeing Christian Science in action! Everyone was so supportive of one another, helping with the various chores and tasks and their willingness to do it was extraordinary! We all became one family unit. When I think back on this trip, I don’t think about the heat or bumpy ride, I think of the connections, yummy food, learning the history of the pioneers from an expert, sharing stories with one another, trying new things, funny stories, talking about Christian Science in our lives, new friendships, and so much more! 

We are so grateful to have had this very special experience together and look forward to DB Outreach’s next adventure for adults. Make sure you stay up-to-date by subscribing to our monthly DB Updates newsletter! 

View wagon adventure photos