Reader comments
Hot, dusty trail calling his name

My family of 9 went with Danny VanFleet last year 2008 on the wagontrain from Nauvoo IL to Winter Quarters. It was a trip of a lifetime. My husband and myself with our 7 children ages 16,14,12,twins age 11 and another set of twins age 8. It is something these children will never forget and will share with friends & family forever & ever. We love to speak with people about this trip and share our experiences. We were in tornadoes, flooding you name it we were able to experience it. We meet people from all over and even adopted a grandpa & grandma from West Virginia that we keep in touch with weekly. I would recommed this to anyone that would like to try a new adventure. I will never regret doing this and would highly recommed it to anyone.

My husband and I joined the wagon train last year in New Virginia Iowa. I have to say it was a trip of a life time. My main reason was to see if I could do what my Great Great Grandmother Katherine Kesgard did. I was named for her. I know that it was not exactly the same (port-a-pottys and all) but still it was the same ground that she covered. My husband and I were so impressed that we are driving back to Nebraska to join them again this year and are taking 11 and 13 year old granddaughters with us. One of them is even named Katherine. I think that they will learn a lot while we are there and I am sure that it is a vacation that they will be telling their freinds about for years.

The 2009 Mormon Trail wagon train across Nebraska was a wonderful experience. I particitape in wagon trains for the love of animals, riding, camping and the great outdoors. This wagon train was blessed with mostly beautiful weather. The Van Fleet crew ensured the trail safe and well planned, the folks and animals were well fed and watered daily. Most rewarding is the comradery and the life long friendships established from the friendly day to day family style life on the trail. Looking forward to seeing you on the next trail West!

A mutual friend introduced me to Danny. After visiting for a while I found they could possibly
use a cook for Sundays and volunteered. My wife Bunny and I decided we could do this since they were going across Nebraska in 2009 and still keep our busy scheduales during the week at home. Lefty was hooked and went the whole trip to Ogallala. Bunny would meet on Sundays and Mondays to help. We had a blast and have made many friends. Lefty will be along for 2010 and looking forward to 2011 also.
Although we like to sleep in a cowboy teepee and experience the dress and cooking ways it makes us wonder would we have been tough enough to do it back in the mid 1800s when you did not have the portapot, plenty of good water, towns scattered along the way to replenish supplies etc. Or even wonder if we would have tried it. I think we would have because you have to work as a team or it would have been real ruff going. Give it a try and see if you got what it takes to be a pioneer. We love it!