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CLUBS & GROUPS | FOUR SEASONS BREEZE | SEPTEMBER 2014 35 Travel in the past was anything but easy, safe or quick. Along the way goods were destroyed, and people were injured, got sick and sometimes died. Here's an actual account of John Widney and his wife and children who went from Central Pennsylvania to Elkhart, Indiana, in the early 1800s. They traveled by canal to the Alleghany Mountains, then over the mountains by steam (railroad), then by canal again to Pittsburgh (280 miles). Then it was down the Ohio River by steamboat to Cincinnati (500 miles) and by canal to Dayton, Ohio (70 miles). From Dayton they traveled by wagons through a terrible place called the Great Black Swamp to Fort Wayne, Indiana (150 miles), and finally by horseback on the Indiana Trail and along the St. Joseph River to Elkhart, Indiana (80 miles). It was an arduous trip of about 1,200 miles. If all went well, it could take about 50 days. If there were problems, and there always were, it could take about 100 days. For us it's 550 miles and about 10 hours in the comfort of our car. But the Widney's trip was typical of that time, and required strong determination and much preparation and courage. When researching family history, keep in mind what it took to travel and move from place to place. And remember that some people left one place and never arrived at another, having died and been buried somewhere along the way. Info., Willis Fagan, Club Captain (951) 769-4482, wefbev@ verizon.net. ~ Willis Fagan Discovery Club Typical travel by ox-drawn wagons in the 1800s We are a group Four Seasons residents who participate in RV trips. In the past we have traveled to many fun and interesting places. If you would like further information on future trips, you can contact Ann Williams at awilymz@att.net to be added to the email list. You can also attend one of our meetings the second Tuesday of the month in the Ballroom at 6 pm. Due to our camp out to Pismo Beach and Buellton, our next meeting will be Sept. 16. ~ Rick Brower All Seasons RV