One could argue that it would have been harder for the pioneers to cross the more diffi-
cult states at the end of their journey, and to be honest I wouldn’t debate it. For us, the
challenge was no longer rough terrain. Our greatest challenge became overcoming men-
tal obstacles. It felt like we had gone through a time capsule. Heat we were used too, but
humidity was a whole different game. Imagine going on your dream vacation only to stay
locked up in your hotel. You could see the beach, but couldn’t swim in it. You could smell
the authentic food, but couldn’t taste it. That is kind of how we felt. The best was behind
us and now we were cooped up in our trucks with out the thrill of what the western states
delivered. Endless miles of farmlands and the smell of manure around every corner led
us into a state of discontentment and frustration. Simply pathetic in retrospect I know.
I mean there we were doing something that hadn’t been done in over 100 years, but we
were discontent none the less. Everything we had worked so hard for was literally be-
ing fulfilled by the minute, and yet the joy we had began with seemed to be depleting.
Through Nebraska and Kansas we became the same slaves we had been in the confines
of our “normal life”. Never satisfied and always looking ahead we were failing to live for
the moment. Improvisation became our new best friend. We started filling the void by
discussing highlights, telling jokes, and pulling crazy pranks. Sometimes they would pan
out for a good collective laugh, but other times it would just aggravate who ever was the
recipient. Those last days on the trail were by far a lesson well learned.