Memories from the Mormon Pioneers Journals

My dear mother had a little baby to nurse, having only half enough to eat, pulling in the handcart all day every day, she soon got so weak she could help no longer. She was unable to keep up, sometimes when we camped; she was so far behind we could not see her for quite awhile.
Memory:
I can just close my eyes and see everything, the ceaseless walking, walking, ever to remain in my memory. Many times I become so tired, I would hang on the cart, to be pushed away. Then I would throw myself by the side of the road and cry. I would have to jump to my feet and run extra hard to catch up, when I realized everyone was passing me.
Memory:
"For baking my mother dug a hole in the ground. The food was placed in a heavy iron kettle, lid on, and covered with buffalo chips, which were set afire.
Memory:
One day we came to a section inhabited by rattlesnakes.
We would have to jump over them watching very careful not to step on one.
Memory:
By the time we reached Devils Gate, in Wyoming, we were out of provisions. That night, all the camp was asleep, then suddenly awakened by a noise, we thought it was Indians yelling. How great was the surprise, the noise was caused by a relief team bringing flour, bread, butter, and meat.
Memory:
Fuel was very scarce most of the time. Everyone would go out to gather buffalo chips, some daintier ones, used tongs instead of their hands to pick up the buffalo chips. Some would fight over a dry one.
We could see buffalo as thick as the leaves on the trees for miles around. Sometimes they had to be scared with a gunshot to move them off of the trail so we could get by.
Memory:
My feet were so swollen from walking I could not wear my shoes. Then when the swelling went out, my feet were so sore from all the alkali that I never had on a pair of shoes after that for the rest of the journey.
Memory:
We were so thirsty; the only time we could drink was when we stopped. Father carried a canteen over his shoulder. When we did stop the water was warm and not very good. At times the water was terrible because they had to dig a hole to get it and it would be muddy.

• The Dominguez-Escalante Expeditions Journal:

Through Colorado, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico in 1776

• I Walked to Zion:
- Young Pioneers on the Mormon Trail

• The Gathering of Zion:
- The Story of the Mormon Trail

• National Geographic's Guide to:
- Lewis and Clark Trail

• Hiking Historic Trails
- Utah's Favorite Hiking Trails

• Scenic Driving - Travel guides
- Scenic Driving in Utah

• Historical reading
- The Old Spanish Trail

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