The Overlander Project is underway!
This is the kick-off or I guess I should say "jump-off"
point for the blog which will track both the Oregon Trail novel as
well as the travels and research associated with this undertaking.
That's what they called it when they started on to the trail,
"jumping off".
Anyway, I have been spending several weeks since the inception of this idea in the area around Vale and Ontario Oregon researching for the story. I have met some interesting local folks, all it seems, with some kind of connection to the trail.
I am never ceased to be amazed by the interest I have garnered by just explaining what I am doing, writing this novel. People have much more knowledge and interest in the subject than one might think. I have been given some wonderful gifts of ideas and characters, some based upon real people.
But of course, the area I'm in has a lot of historical sites close by where one can go have your own "Oregon Trail" experience. I just spent most of the past week, "off-the-grid"at three different sites that had stories associated with them and kiosks that explain that particular segment of the trail.
If you'd like to take a look you can search Google for:
Keeney Pass
Alkali Springs
Farewell Bend
(Note: All are in Oregon so be sure to add the state name to your search strings or "Oregon Trail".)
The most productive times I have are just getting out and getting quiet. I don't have access to the Internet, I don't listen to the radio. I don't listen to anything except the trail itself.
I have spent many evenings just walking the old ruts that are still there and listening to the voices that have faded away deep into time. They are still there if you quiet yourself and imagine what it would have been like to participate in the exodus of pioneers on the road called the Oregon Trail.
~ Robert Williams
Anyway, I have been spending several weeks since the inception of this idea in the area around Vale and Ontario Oregon researching for the story. I have met some interesting local folks, all it seems, with some kind of connection to the trail.
I am never ceased to be amazed by the interest I have garnered by just explaining what I am doing, writing this novel. People have much more knowledge and interest in the subject than one might think. I have been given some wonderful gifts of ideas and characters, some based upon real people.
But of course, the area I'm in has a lot of historical sites close by where one can go have your own "Oregon Trail" experience. I just spent most of the past week, "off-the-grid"at three different sites that had stories associated with them and kiosks that explain that particular segment of the trail.
If you'd like to take a look you can search Google for:
Keeney Pass
Alkali Springs
Farewell Bend
(Note: All are in Oregon so be sure to add the state name to your search strings or "Oregon Trail".)
The most productive times I have are just getting out and getting quiet. I don't have access to the Internet, I don't listen to the radio. I don't listen to anything except the trail itself.
I have spent many evenings just walking the old ruts that are still there and listening to the voices that have faded away deep into time. They are still there if you quiet yourself and imagine what it would have been like to participate in the exodus of pioneers on the road called the Oregon Trail.
~ Robert Williams
