Nimblewill Nomad
Long Distance Hiker/Author
Odyssey 2014: Oregon National Historic Trail (ONHT)
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Nimblewill had long pondered concluding his long-distance hiking “career” with the past-year’s journey, Odyssey 2013. However, after much encouragement from family, friends, and fellow intrepid (and with the Lord’s continued blessings–good health, stamina, and resolve) he’s decided to keep trekking on.
And so, for Odyssey 2014, he took another journey back through time, as he thru-hiked one of the greatest trails in the annals of American history, the Oregon National Historic Trail.
And that trail? Well, first there were game traces, then Indian trails. Then came the mountain men, the trappers, the missionaries, and finally the pioneers. From the 1840s through the 1850s, over three-hundred thousand emigrants wearied their way from Independence, Missouri, to the great valley of the Willamette, in the Oregon Territory.
In addition to Missouri and Oregon, the trail passes through Kansas, Nebraska, Wyoming, and Idaho, a distance of some 2,200 miles. From the Midwest to the Far West, its deep, furrowed ruts epitomize the pioneering spirit. To the eye, the tracks appear hollow, yet to Nimblewill they are known to be filled with romance and adventure, sorrow and joy, triumph and tragedy–transcending time. In many places those old ruts still mark the land and can be walked today, as did the pioneers nearly 200 years ago.
Nimblewill plied those tracks as he crossed the prairie, forded the rivers, climbed the mountains, entered the valley. He saw and told of the landmarks, visited and photographed the many historic and hallowed places along–all while passing countless graves marking his passage. It was destined to be a journey of true adventure and intrigue.
Nimblewill began this journey by setting out from Independence, Missouri on April 28. On Sunday morning, August 24th, he arrived End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Oregon City, Oregon, successfully concluding his thru-hike o’er the Oregon National Historic Trail — 117 days, 2,109 miles.
“This proved a long and very difficult journey. Thanks to all for your encouragement, support; the success of this hike I owe to you!”
Nimblewill Nomad
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HOW THE WEST WAS WON [12-99] |
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I yearn for the days of the dust-blown haze, Through bone-weary pain, through mud and rain, “On to Californ’”, “On to Oregon,” On mules, in prairie schooners; Through prairie grass, up mountain pass, |
No turning back, thru rut and track, Yet to this day, do the brave there stay! And oh what I’d give to have journed…’n lived Ahh! Those were the days, e’er time-dimmed haze, N. Nomad
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Nimblewill with his great, great grandfather (lad in the wagon)
On the Oregon Trail 1845
The Last Rose of Summer
One Comment on “Odyssey 2014: Oregon National Historic Trail (ONHT)”
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Nimblewill Nomad 
Hi.
I wondered if when walking the Oregon Trail you walked the whole trail or had to go around the sections Owned by private landowners? Loved reading this amazing journey. Well done 👍
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