From Betsy’s diary October 20, 1849
My fiancé has built the sweetest little wagon for me to pull. That way, he explained, with no oxen or horses, we don’t have to wait on any grass season to get us across the plains. That suits me just fine. I told Ike I want to cross this country independent, not stuck in some line of wagons chewing on other people’s dust. With me toting everything, he said, he’ll be free to stroll on ahead and get a lay of the land. We’re a team that way. He took out his little map and showed me places with his finger. Seeing as how we was skirting all that wagon traffic, why, we could just take our time and see some sights.

Oil on canvas
Image size: 30 x 38 inches