Home at Trail’s End Cropped

Oregon Trail Story

Who can resist a good covered wagon or Oregon Trail story? And Melody Carlson is one of my favorite authors. So when Melody’s third book in her Homeward on the Oregon Trail released, I asked her to write a post about what inspired her to write stories about the Oregon Trail. She said yes! AND she’s giving away a copy of A Home at Trail’s End.

Melody CarlsonFrom Melody Carlson . . .

My interest in writing a historical series about the Oregon Trail was born out of plain old curiosity. Because my ancestors migrated to Oregon in the 1850’s, and because my grandparents were a major influence in my childhood, I grew up hearing fragmented tales of past pioneers. I knew where my relatives ‘hailed’ from and where they settled, but not much about the journey in between. So I recently set out to research the challenges of traveling the Oregon Trail and immediately got hooked. I quickly discovered this was a lot bigger than just a history lesson—I began to suspect these stories had relevancy today.

Melody in her modern day covered wagon

Melody in her modern day covered wagon

As I considered our country’s recent changing economy, I began to see how many of us could use some of that old pioneering spirit to help us navigate through our contemporary lives. I was personally challenged by the way my courageous ancestors “downsized” by selling off their farms and homes. And how they carefully loaded their wagons with enough food and tools and provisions to make this arduous and nearly impossible journey. And how they survived extreme conditions, disease and many unimaginable perils to arrive in an undeveloped wilderness. And then, once they settled, how they really had to roll up their sleeves and dig in to create new homes in the hopes of eventually improving their quality of life. I found it rather inspiring.

Home at Trail's End, A 1A Home at Trail’s End is the third and final installment in this historical series. It’s the story of how widowed Elizabeth Martin and her family get settled along the southern Oregon coast. It’s a time of building and planting, weddings and funerals…as friends and neighbors learn to get along in the new life they’re all building together.

Homeward on the Oregon Trail (Harvest House Publishers)

Setting: The Oregon Trail from Kentucky to Oregon

Time Period: 1850’s

1)  Westward Hearts

2)  A Dream for Tomorrow

3)  A Home at Trail’s End

For more information about Melody and this series check out her website at www.melodycarlson.com

Congratulations to Deborah Wilson, who won the signed copy of A Home at Trail’s End.

What spurred your interest in reading wagon train and prairie stories?

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  2. Growing up we watched a lot of western series on TV. My dad loved Gunsmoke while my mom loved Roy Rogers & Dale Evans. Just the thought of living out of a wagon for months for end always made for a good afternoon of fun as my brothers loved to take on the role of the bad guys or Indians attacking our wagon train. Using our little red wagon provided hours of fun,but you never wanted to get the job of the horse and have to pull your older sister around the yard.

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  5. would love to win this book
    2 sets of great grandparents came over the Oregon Trail, and I live in S. Oregon
    God bless you
    Chris Granville

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  6. I never enjoyed history in the classroom, but later found that I loved reading historical fiction. It is fascinating to read of those early pioneers who left what they had always known and set out on a journey of hope and faith.

    Melody’s series sounds wonderful and I thank you for the opportunity to win a copy of A Home at Trail’s End!

    texaggs2000 at gmail dot com

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      Hi Britney! Me too. Yawned a lot and doodled in history class in high school. But tell me a peopled story set in a historical time and place…and you’ve captured my attention. Glad you enjoyed the post. Blessings!

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  7. I love adventures and also reading about them. I have never been to Oregon but reading about it would almost feel like I am there and maybe some day I will be able to see that great state. I have been reading since I was a teenager and that was many years ago. I wish I had kept track of all the books I have read, it would fill a few libraries I am sure.

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      Thanks for joining us here, Donna. I’m with you–reading takes us on adventures to places we’ve never been. And it sounds like you’ve been on many literary adventures with all the books you’ve read. Blessings to you!

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  10. I’ve read the first books and they were great. Melody is a fantastic author. Would love to win this book. Thank you for the chance to win this giveaway and please enter my name.

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  11. I’ve always enjoyed history. And as someone who was homeschooled until college, I’ve always had a book in my hand from the time I could read. Western related stuff was a plus. 🙂

    Can’t wait to read THIS book!

    admurphy(dot)musician(at)gmail(dot)com

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  18. watched a lot of western series on TV. A Home at Trail’s End sounds wonderful.Please enter me in contest.Thank you for the opportunity to win .

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  25. I have enjoyed reading historical fiction about the pioneer women for many years now. It really encourages me as I read about so many hardships that they overcame. I will look forward to reading this series by Melody.

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  27. I have enjoyed the books that you have written. The books you wrote that took place in Cripple Creek, Colorado were so good.

    I guess I enjoy reading books about wagon trains and the people on the prairie because It is fun to imagine what it would have been like for the people in those days.

    I would love to read your new book. I know I would love it.

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      Good to see you here, Julie. So glad you enjoyed the Sinclair Sisters stories. I’m excited for you to meet the Saint Charles Quilting Circle in The Quilted Heart. In the meantime, I know you’d enjoy Melody Carlson’s Oregon Trail series. Blessings!

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  28. Stories about the Oregon Trail and the travels West. Would love to win this book by Melody Carlson. I would want to stop and go through the dishes set to the side of the trail left to lighten the load of previous wagons! I also liked the Little House books and their adventures. Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
    lanehillhouse[at]centurylink[dot]net

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  29. Just love history and reading what happened or may have happened, additionally I live on the east coast near Williamsburg and the Outer Banks history . So interesting to read about the side of the country.

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  30. I love reading books like this. Especially the ones traveling on the trail. Makes me wonder if I could have been strong enough to travel by wagon or foot to a new home so far away and many, many days to get there.
    kmgervais(at)nycap(dot)rr(dot)com

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