Dear Journal, (April, 1857)

Today's the day we leave Independence and head west for Oregon and the good life. I hear the the soil is much better than back east and great for planting crops. I can't wait to tackle it with my team. This town is crawling with other pioneers! We got about all our supplies here, along with everyone else. Almost all the pioneers started their journey here like us. My wife worries about the kids, taking them along and all, but I don't think anything'll happen to 'em. Michael and Anne will take care of themselves, as for the others, I better keep an eye out for them.

John