Wanderlust Journey

Cathie Koon, Great Granddaughter of William wanted to share some post journey thoughts. Enjoy the below!

I didn’t get my wits together fast enough to post any words while we were driving across the actual route William and thousands of other folks took on the Oregon trail.

I’m still digesting and savoring all the moments I shared with my unique family. I can’t thank Lara enough to come up with such a great idea for Father’s day.

For Tom, the father he is and well deserving of this fantastic journey. For Ross, who researched and put the trips’ details in. It was fun to experience the Sumac Farm clan discuss and create this trip as we went along for the ride.

Due to my own “wanderlust” I was away for many family gatherings and never had a chance to really know my cousins. I’m incredibly grateful I took this opportunity to travel with them and hit the road with my sister, niece, and her daughter.

On Independence Rock, while the rest of my fellow travelers scrambled up to the top, I strayed behind, not sure if my knees could take the decent. It’s a fun easy climb up. I took a moment to just sit halfway up pressing my hands down on the cool granite. Looking out at the wide open landscape to the West. I could see Devils Gate just how our Great Grandfather described it. I imagined the flow of people, wagons, horses and oxen kicking up dust right near where we are. I learned a lot more of the immigrants traveling, and the words William wrote became very real to me.

Honored to be a part of this wonderful journey, proud to be a Smedley!