I’ve been fortunate, driving to the sites of my books in the U.S. and part of Canada (British Columbia)
I read/researched the Oregon Trail in preparation and picked up more along the way, stopping at vistas and the cemeteries of those who did not live to see their dream country. I also stopped at forts. You can just feel the struggle, the deadly fatigue of pioneers. One particular “grade” next to a fort, was so long and endless and nothing to drive in a car. But for the wagons, hauling supplies and home goods, the mules and oxen and people physically pushing those wagons, or holding ropes to haul them up that long grade, it must have been almost impossible with plenty of accidents along the way.
Their dreams kept them going. Please realize women could not start out, driving their own wagons, etc., if not widows, husbands, fathers etc. were necessary and even then the woman was interviewed thoroughly Here’s Night Fire‘s blurb: St. Louis. 1847. Fiery businesswoman/spinster, Arielle sets out to take a full cargo of not-so-sweet brides West on the Oregon Trail. Her secret mission: marry her childhood friend. Marriage to a dying stranger is just the widow-requirement Arielle needs to join the train. On the trail, her husband, Luc D’Arcy aka The Dark Avenger turns up, alive and ready to claim his reluctant virgin bride. Shadowed by the past, Luc isn’t happy about his fascinating wife wanting another man…
This travel book is/was priceless, noting the various spots. As a writer, I soon learned that the travelers had to plan to leave at a certain time–this to avoid getting caught in snow. I soon learned to develop a matrix of how long it took to travel from one point to another. One woman was pregnant and that was another matrix to compare. Because I’d researched my western historicals on site, I tried to put in the smell of the sage, rattlesnakes (which we had when I grew up in the Northwest), etc.
Interesting shocker: When I stopped in stores, or arranged for signings, the clerks looked up my book. One told me I hadn’t written Night Fire, Catherine Colter had, and she did, titled Nightfire. Lots of old stories in writer-land.
I hope you enjoy whatever you’re doing and take time to enjoy travel, too. And please let me know what you would like to read here? Thank you, and come back!
Cait London 