The Story

Follow the day-to-day memories of a boy, at the time eleven years old, as his family travels the Oregon Trail alone in 1877. Experience the true reality of what they experienced. The daily struggle to survive: LIFE, DEATH, HUNGER, THIRST, LOST, FOUND, LAWLESSNESS, GENEROSITY, ANIMALS, INDIANS, SETTLERS. See the real pioneer spirit, grit, fortitude, ingenuity, resourcefulness, and determination of the men, women, and children who settled the Pacific Northwest. With sweat and determination built the states we call home. Their true-life adventure is much more realistic than any Hollywood movie.

 

 

Our History

This treasured story, along with a timeless turn-of-the-century photograph, was lovingly preserved by my grandmother for years. When I graduated with a Computer Science degree in 1980, she lent me money for my first car, saying I was the only grandchild she trusted to borrow it. Her trust in me was something I never took lightly. During junior high, my mother made copies of the story for my siblings and me, and it was then that I first began to grasp its deeper significance. Many years later, I made the decision to share the story with others, despite having no prior experience in doing something of that nature. That decision marked a profound turning point, as my grandmother also entrusted me with the photographs that accompanied it. Before her passing, I had the privilege of giving her a printed copy of the story—a simple but heartfelt way to honor her legacy and the memories she so lovingly safeguarded.

Grandma called it "HER BOOK" lovingly. Life became extremely busy, so I didn't publish until 2016. I was able to do all the editing and graphics for the cover. In addition, I was able to find a lot of information about the family on the internet and included its family tree in the book back to 1769. This web page was created in 2025 to share this story with the world.

Connections

Here is a recent side story you might find interesting.

  • I gave this book to a friend at church. She showed it to her friend who's last name is "ZENT". He said that he bought the book for his parents, who live in Colorado, where the husband of the story left his relatives. I guess my family is related to her friend, maybe.
  • After the Zent family had been living near Penistone Oregon for a while The area came into conflict with the local Indians. To keep the one night all the women and children were crowded into the flourmill while the men folk stood guard outside. Years ago my parents were boating and camping when they met another couple whose family from that same time were als part of that incident where their women and children were in that same flower mill.

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