This is the diary of 13-year-old Alandra Fitzgerald. Her parents have decided to take the family out west from New York. Her father believes that he will finally get his big break in the fur trapping industry. Along with her mother, father, and brother, she will be taking the family dog, Annabelle.

May 14, 1841

Oh Diary,

I wail as our parents pack up what is left of my life. I have lived in this house, built of sturdy wood by my own papa, for 13 years. My family is now attempting to make the journey out west on the Oregon Trail in order for Papa to possibly make a living fur trapping. We have purchased two oxen, who will carry us to the west. I am fearful for the safety of Mama, Papa, and little Theodore, my brother. I have heard frightening tales of wild Indians attacking the wagons for no reason. There are also the risks of getting sick with cholera, a deathly disease, and being crushed. I am worried that clumsy little Theodore will fall in front of our wagon’s wheel and that will be the last of him. I hope God has mercy on us.

Alandra

May 15, 1841

Dear Diary,

I am so tired. We must be up before the sun rises to cook breakfast and start the fire. My chores are to do all cooking and start the fires. Papa will yoke the oxen and drive the wagon. Mama and Theodore will help with whatever needs to be done.

Alandra

May 17, 1841

Diary,

The journey is hard. My feet ache from so much walking. They are bruised and blistered and bleeding. I have no shoes, for my old pair was too small for me. Theodore does nothing but whine and cry and I have tried mightily to get him to hush, for it is a long day and every night we got to bed exhausted and overcome with fatigue and Mama and Papa should not have to stop and discipline a cranky boy. I have tried to make the trek seem fun and enjoyable, but I am worn out and sore from lying on the ground every night. I am afraid that I have become a grouch too. I am miserable. All I have to eat is bacon. I wish we had been able to bring along some better meat. Papa and the other men try to go hunting at night, but every trip results in a failure. It grows late. I suppose I had better try to get some sleep. We start up early again tomorrow.