The wind was wishing and the trees shook rapidly. My hair whipped my face as I climbed into the wagon. My blue calico dress and red apron were buttoned and tied tightly. My golden hair glistened in the sun.
People were sobbing and bidding farewells. "Wagons ho!" the captain of our wagon train shouted.
"Bye, Rose!" someone hollered.
I froze in my tracks and twirled around to spot my best friend, Mary. I started to cry. She did too. I ran to her.
"I don't want to leave," I whispered to her.
"Rose, get in the wagon!" Ma said.
"I'll miss you, Mary!"
"I'll miss you, too!" She wiped my eye and then hers. I dragged my feet back to the wagon and started to cry in my apron.
"You'll have a better life in Oregon," my Ma said in her soft voice.
"I know," I squeaked.

Five weeks Pass...
My brothers Charlie, Jonathan and I had been out all day collecting fresh berries and herbs. We walked up to the wagon and heard a chocking noise from inside. Ma sat there so ill she couldn't speak. My Pa was next to her.
"Ma!" I shouted.
"Get away, Rose, you could get sick too!" said Pa.
"I told you Pa, this wouldn't be a good journey. Ma is dying!"

Two weeks later...
I look into the wagon and see Ma smiling. I smile back. Luckily there was a doctor in our wagon train who helped Ma get better.
"One more day!" Pa hollered from the driver's seat.
My brothers and I danced for joy! I think back on our journey. We had a terribly long and dangerous trip. We were hungry and scared for most of it and we almost lost our Ma! All of this work will Pay off soon.

We bump our way over the top of a hill and see it. Oregon. Fast flowing streams cut through lush green grass. The sky shimmers blue and gold as the sun begins to set.
"I think I'm gonna like Oregon," I whisper to Ma.

"I think so too."