The Oregon Trail Presentation Created by Tara Green “Easy Simulations: PIONEERS” by Tim Bailey

Episode 2: Crossing The Plains! Overview: Students, you will attempt another river crossing, this time at the Platte River, and then endure severe weather on the open prarie.

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River After resting in the relative comfort of Fort Kearney, your wagon company is ready to set out again. The day starts out very hot and humid, and after hours of walking in the oppressive heat you feel drained and wind whipped. Day after day, the open prairie rolls slowly by as your wagon travels toward the ford that crosses the muddy Platte River. You travel 100 miles to reach the ford. (Calculate how many days you have traveled and subtract the appropriate amount of food from your supplies.)

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River Now you face a dangerous crossing of the Platte River, which is running high. You have 2 options: Wait and hope that the river level will drop so that you can ford the river without having to float your wagon across. Try to cross the river now by floating your wagon across (Teacher notes decisions voiced by the spokesperson of each wagon company) **A traveler once described the Platte River as “bad to ford, destitute of fish, too dirty to bathe in and too thick too drink!

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River 1. If you decide to wait for the river to drop, choose a person from your wagon company to make a spin to see when the river will drop: If you spin… This happens… 1 or 2 The river drops after 1 day. Subtract 1 days worth of food. 3 or 4 The river drops after 2 days. Subtract 2 days worth of food 5 or 6 The river drops after 3 days. Subtract 3 days worth of food

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River 2. If you decide to float your wagon across the river, then steel yourselves. Just as when crossing the Big Blue River, your wagon company must make 3 skill spins. Remember, skill spins can be tried only once per person: 1st Spin: First, a member of your wagon company must make a Common Sense spin to remember to caulk the wagon and do it well so that it won’t take on water while crossing the river: •If you spin a # equal or lower than your Common Sense #, your group has done a great job of caulking the wagon . •If you spin a number higher than your Common Sense #, then spin again. Multiply that # by 20(this is the # food pounds lost when the wagon floundered in the river. Subtract this amount from your supplies .

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River 2. If you decide to float your wagon across the river, then steel yourselves. Just as when crossing the Big Blue River, your wagon company must make 3 skill spins. Remember, skill spins can be tried only once per person: 2nd Spin: A member of your wagon company must make a Strength spin to help the animals cross the river. Choose another member of the company to make the spin: •If you spin a # equal or lower than your Strength#, the animals make it across the river without incident. •If you spin a number higher than your Strength #, then the animals have been injured.  Mules-water got in their ears and 1 drowned. You travel only 10 miles a day until more can be bought. Oxen-1misstepped the river & injured its leg. Rest the oxen for 2 days. Subtract the appropriate amount of food from your supplies.

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River Pioneers: Write in your journal about your experience crossing the Platte River. Easy Simulations: Pioneers by Tim Bailey

Scenario 1: Crossing the Platte River After crossing the Platte River, your wagon heads toward some of the most recognizable landmarks on the Oregon Trail. First, you reach Court House Rock, a 400-foot-high mound of clay and rock that was described by emigrants as looking like “a courthouse in St. Louis, or a cathedral in ruins” or “the Capitol in Washington.” Next your wagon company passes Chimney Rock, a rock formation that stretches more than 500 feet into the blue prairie sky.