Friday, April 2 - 3 Days until we begin to gather for the trek west.

We've got most of the supplies for our trek.  Gathering tonight with other members of our party to go over final preparations.  Once we leave Winter Quarters, there won't be much chance to get additional supplies until we reach Fort Laramie, and then they will be horribly expensive.  The following list was taken form "The Immigrants Guide to the West" and is for a family of four.  We have a sight more people then that, so will be taking two wagons and double the supplies listed below.

Food - 600 lb Flour, 120 # Hard Tack, 400 # Bacon, 60 # Coffee, 4 # Tea, 100 # Sugar, 200 # Lard, Rice & Beans, Dried Fruit, Baking Soda, Corn Meal, Dried Beef, Molasses, Vinegar, Salt, Pepper and Eggs.  We also are luck to have a few chickens to take with us and a milk cow.

Cooking Equipment and Tools - Dutch Oven, Skillet, Kettle, Reflector Oven, Coffee Grinder, Tea Pot, Butcher Knife, Ladle, Table Ware, Water Keg, Matches, Hunting Knife, Rifle, Pistol, Shot and Powder.  Also, Augers, Gimlet, Axe, Hammer, How & Plow, Shovel, Spade, Oxbows, Spare Axles, Kingbows, Ox Shoes, Spokes, Extra Wagon Tongue, Heavy Ropes and Chains and a Block and Tackle Set.  In addition, Clothing, First Aid, Lighting, Sewing Repair, Cleaning & Washing Supplies, Bedding and a Spyglass.

What else am I forgetting?  I'll double check everything in the morning.

Picture is Courtney of the Oregon Trail Museum and is entitled, "Mormon Emigrant Family".  If this was my family there would be more boys and less girls, and possibly (I can't tell) one less wife.

See you on the trail in 3 days.