Oregon or bust!

It was the ultimate road trip. When writer Rinker Buck discovered that it was still possible for someone to follow almost the exact route the pioneers traveled on the Oregon Trail he heard the siren call of the West and longed to take his own two thousand mile journey from St. Joe, Missouri to Farewell Bend, Oregon. And oh yes, he wanted to do it in a covered wagon. Sure it was a “crazyass” idea to become a modern-day pioneer, especially without any motorized support, but a wagon trip would allow him to see, and savor, America slowly and experience trail life as the pioneers did. So with a restored wagon, his kind-hearted, salty-tongued, Jack of all Trades brother, three mules, a dog named Olive Oyl, innumerable cans of chili and an American flag he set out on a trip of a lifetime.

It didn’t take long for Rinker to experience the same rigors and challenges of the emigrants: there were terrifying storms, wagon breakdowns, the constant worry of the mules acting up or running away, long days with little water, and the very real danger of being lulled to sleep from the heat and the soporific clip-clop of the mules hooves -- a snooze that could quickly turn deadly if one fell off the wagon. There were also obstacles the pioneers never dreamed of such as RVers in Kansas (“road geriatrics” Rinker snidely calls them), interstate highways, and miles and miles of fences. But no obstacles could diminish the stunning scenery, the adrenaline rush of the journey, and the heartwarming hospitality of so many people he met on the way.

This wonderfully entertaining travelogue also has a good dose of fascinating history. From spunky missionary Narcissa Whitman to the Mormon handcart disaster, Rinker Buck enlightens readers about this important migration in American history and uses snippets of trail diaries to enrich his narrative. Lively and opinionated, Rinker Buck’s The Oregon Trail: A New American Journey is an enjoyable read for both history and travel fans.