The Oregon Trail: Gerald Hyland

May 2nd; Alcove Spring

After going through several nights sleeping in tents, I'm glad to finally see the Alcove Spring. I finally get to have a good rest and drink some fresh water rather than the hot liquids from roughly-beaten containers. My father has been talking about trying to find other families to travel with, and I think he found a few, but I'm not really interested in talking to them. I'm just fine talking with my own family and Michael.

I actually found myself talking to Michael more often. We talked about things ranging from how the pebbles on the ground looked pretty to more serious things, like how so many people are blind to all the wrongs in the world. Honestly, Michael does most of the talking, but I like listening to him. It's not like I can write as I walk, so it's good to have a good conversation with a like-minded person.

Maybe he's also influencing my opinions, too. Before I couldn't care less about slavery or the issues with Native Americans, but after talking - or more accurately, listening - to Michael, he told me all about all the unfairness that they go through. Slaves can't help that they were kidnapped and sold (or born) into the intense work they do. Natives can't help that immigrants are invading their homes and forcing them to move and lose their culture, perhaps even being killed.

I think talking with Michael might be healthy, even though he is "influencing" my thoughts. In reality, though, he's just exposing me to the things I never gave a second thought. I guess it's just that his personality is similar mine, and even though I love my family, they don't exactly understand my ideas and logic as Michael seems to. Again, he does most of the talking, but I don't mind. I agree with most of the things he said anyways.

Naime and the rest of the family are doing well too. Naime has gotten a bit more sensible from the first few days of traveling, which I find important. My mother has been concerned with indian attacks, and she doesn't believe Michael when he said that they were rare. My mother tends to be a worrier, but my father knows how to take care of her.

My dad has been handling this whole situation pretty well. He's been looking to the sun to decide when to leave, stop for lunch, and settle for the night. He said that we're going to stay for a night or two so that we could enjoy the springs and make sure our wagons and animals are healthy. Maybe Michael could tell some stories (whether they be real or made up, I don't really know nor care).