In the mid-1800s, thousands of hardy pioneers braved the long and arduous journey across the Great Plains for a chance to build a new life in the West. These emigrants traveled more than 2,000 treacherous miles to the Pacific Ocean over the Oregon Trail in what became the largest mass migration in American history. Along the way they wrote letters and kept diaries, and some published memoirs of their trip years after their journey.
Oregon Trail Stories offers a selection of these intriguing narratives told in the pioneers' own words. From the diary of a member of the Donner Party to an excerpt from the memoirs of a girl orphaned as her family made their way West, these documents speak of the difficulties of facing an uncertain future and the hardships of the trail - including the very real threat of illness or death - and are an enduring reminder of our country's history.
Today almost all traces of the Oregon Trail have been obliterated by settlement, but these stories of courage, stamina, and adventure in the wide-open West survive, offering readers a fascinating first-hand account of life on the trail during America's long-gone frontier days.

Northern New England is known for its many beautiful lakes, rivers, and streamsand for outstanding fly-fishing. From Vermont's Battenkill, to the headwaters of the mighty Connecticut in New Hampshire, to the Kennebec and Penobscot Rivers in Maine, David Klausmeyer has investigated the far reaches of northern New England to recommend the very best fly-fishing for trout and landlocked salmon. With his years of experience as a researcher, writer, and editor for several national fly-fishing magazines, Klausmeyer knows what to look for in a trout stream, where to find the best stretches of water and avoid crowds, and, most importantly, what every angler needs from a good guide. Features of this thoroughly researched, opinionated book include descriptions of the best waters and little-known tributaries worth exploring, and recommendations on local hatches and fly patterns, as well as detailed access directions and listings of local fly shops. Includes local hatch charts and fly patterns. 30 black and white photographs 25 maps Index