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Odyssey 2015: California National
Historic Trail (CNHT) |
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From Sea to Shining Sea, from
Atlantic to Pacific; undoubtedly,
America would not exist as the
nation we know today had it not been
for the indomitable courage and will
of our emigrant pioneers--those
brave souls who toiled (and died)
plying the Oregon and California
Trails. They went west in the l840s
and ‘50s in countless thousands;
they settled the west. And in so
doing,
Manifest Destiny, man’s last
best hope, became reality--these
blessed United States of America.
“Born a hundred years too
late.” Ah yes, a common lament
we’ve all heard from family and
friends. But how about 150 or
200!
Comes now the old
Nimblewill Nomad. Had he
been around 200 years ago, he’d
most certainly have become a
member of the
Corps of Discovery. Did his
best though, considering how
time works. In 2004, lagging a
bit behind, (yet 200 years to
the day), Nimblewill
began
his outbound journey with
Lewis and Clark. And in 2006,
again 200 years to the day (and
exact hour), the old Nomad
commenced
his return.
150 or so years ago? Well,
Nimblewill no doubt would
have joined that legion of
restless souls, those pioneers
that journeyed ever west o’er
the
Oregon Trail. Ah, but last
year, lagging behind again just
the least, he followed in their
footsteps, in their shadow.
So now, for Odyssey 2015, to
return again to that eventful
time in American History,
Nimblewill Nomad will
journey west once more, with the
pioneers--o’er the
California Trail.
On this journey,
Nimblewill will have
company, real-time
company--another misplaced soul
(misplaced in time), a
hiker trash friend,
Bart Smith. Since they’ve
both trekked the Oregon Trail
(which follows the same track as
the California Trail to
Parting of the Ways, Raft
River, Idaho), they’ll return
once more to Parting of the
Ways, from there to continue
their respective journeys, this
time along the California
Trail--to
Sutter’s Fort, Sacramento.
Odyssey 2015 began on May 28th. This
trek, across Idaho,
Utah, Nevada, and
California, will no
doubt prove
adventuresome, packed
full with the spirit of
both past and present.
So, why not join
Nimblewill and Bart
as they journey back in
time, to complete their
respective treks o’er
the California National
Historic Trail!
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HOW THE WEST WAS WON [12-99] |
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I yearn for the days of the
dust-blown haze,
When the West was an infant child.
When the brave, the few, joined lots
and threw
Their cares to the wind and the
wild.
Through bone-weary pain, through mud
and rain,
They traveled, a-trustin' God.
As dear-loved kin and many a friend
Were set to rest in the sod.
“On to Californ’”, “On to Oregon,”
Through ruts worn weary and long.
'cross rivers deep, scant rest or
sleep,
Passed this destined, fateful
throng.
On mules, in prairie schooners;
On buckboards 'n walkin' tall;
Through Indian lands, their fate in
the hands
Of the wagonmaster's call.
Through prairie grass, up mountain
pass,
They journed toward the Promised
Land.
'n along the way, set adrift, they
lay
Their past in the shifting sand. |
No turning back, thru rut and track,
The wagon trains moved on,
Toward the western sky, with
dream-filled eye,
On the trail to a brand new dawn.
Yet to this day, do the brave there
stay!
Born new from the pioneer age.
A dream fulfilled, as God had
willed,
Past the land of the purple sage.
And oh what I'd give to have journed…'n
lived
On that trail with those brave and
strong.
Now history, times wild and free,
For those days do I yearn and long.
Ahh!
Those were the days, e’er
time-dimmed haze,
When the West was an infant child.
When the brave, the few, joined lots
and threw
Their cares to the wind and the
wild.
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Nimblewill with his
great, great grandfather (lad in the
wagon)
On the California Trail |
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(Background music: "Beyond") |
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