Great Salt Lake Desert, Utah September 20th, 1846

Hello! It's been a while again. After we left the fort we headed towards Great Salt Lake. I hate it. I hate it more than hot days on the plains. Everyone's been fighting over water and we keep getting raided by natives. Many families have had to cache their belongings, including us. We had to leave behind some chests of clothes and other items, Father says it would lighten our load. Not just that, but we can’t find food for our cattle, since all the lakes and ponds are salt or brackish water, nothing grows! My feet are very tired, but Father won’t let me ride in the wagon. Mother also won’t let me bother anyone else to sit in theirs. But the closer we got to the end of our journey, we saw the new geography ahead of us. The beautiful snow capped mountains are something out of a fairy tail. The Appalachians are big, but from here we can see the snow forming on top!! 

Speaking of snow, all the adults seem worried. I heard Mr. Darcy talking with father about an early winter, but I’m not sure why it’s such a big deal. Quite frankly I’m sick of this hot weather, so bring on the snow!! I’m sure the land will be even more beautiful when it’s coated in a layer of bright white snow. And no need to worry about navigation, since the natives helping us are amazing at it! For now, we're taking Hastie's cut-off, bypassing Bridger's fort. We'll be staying at blacks fork for a little to wait for the wagons in the back to catch up.

Also, I feel a little upset by Hastie's description of the land. Independence rock was simply a big rock, not as magnificent as he made it out to be. I was looking forward to seeing it for a while now, but I didn't even feel compelled to sketch it..

Anyway, I drew another picture when we camped at Sweetwater. One of the wagons we left behind had my art supplies in it, so I’m just limited to pencil and charcoal.

Mother says I need to make it count, but Father says we’ll be in

Sacramento before we know it. I think I’ll listen to mothers advice this time, but she said she would make me some charcoal when I run out!

Until next time!