tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-82298982730187230332024-02-20T09:56:11.930-08:00ROAD TO DESTINY: THE OREGON TRAIL GRAPHIC NOVELFrank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-44459688947161700792019-04-22T14:35:00.000-07:002019-04-22T14:35:01.072-07:00When Rivers Were Trails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lk7IuL7Lpv0vPza5HS5-7dr9nF0RvoY_ub-dXL9u1cVE-QbwSqj7DE26WlzAE7xJJPe-rQwTAtUNHvGqJSsaR_9TMYEjjlrc4SsdbPNUDkt33LVVSz9HKRl-YTkaEmjMtlrjEPkKwcj6/s1600/Rivers+Where+Trails-White+Earth+Woman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="383" data-original-width="684" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3Lk7IuL7Lpv0vPza5HS5-7dr9nF0RvoY_ub-dXL9u1cVE-QbwSqj7DE26WlzAE7xJJPe-rQwTAtUNHvGqJSsaR_9TMYEjjlrc4SsdbPNUDkt33LVVSz9HKRl-YTkaEmjMtlrjEPkKwcj6/s320/Rivers+Where+Trails-White+Earth+Woman.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />I'm excited to see that artist <a href="https://www.instagram.com/weshoyot/?hl=en">Weshoyot Alvitre</a> has illustrated a new Oregon Trail video game, this time from the point of view of indigenous peoples of western North America. It's called "When Rivers Were Trails." <a href="https://newsmaven.io/indiancountrytoday/lifestyle/real-native-history-in-a-video-game-an-indigenous-take-on-the-oregon-trail-t0HHVelCr0uBAsBE64jumQ/?fbclid=IwAR3tpttyOqnWtfPjc1F26FVO_zft-VSPjAmqrEpns-FANroiJNIN4WpYos4">From what I can see, it looks great!</a><br /><br />I'm glad that something like this finally exists.<br /><br />Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-73474115351327747522018-04-10T18:32:00.003-07:002018-04-10T18:32:21.485-07:00David Lasky will speak in Seattle, April 11<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZZutowNdZC-MMiOMWOAhgumjm_6j-YUT9w-WJTMMXqtLZFWznQTUGaruLI9PsWTNXVd9rdgLpeMqXKQbT9_KQZ8C-B2Y0Nd47htpOyQ8cZ9lR20JSiZvW_ayPyAoDOWouvXj8YvBSfqP/s1600/SCBWI+Lasky+580x400_April2018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="400" data-original-width="580" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwZZutowNdZC-MMiOMWOAhgumjm_6j-YUT9w-WJTMMXqtLZFWznQTUGaruLI9PsWTNXVd9rdgLpeMqXKQbT9_KQZ8C-B2Y0Nd47htpOyQ8cZ9lR20JSiZvW_ayPyAoDOWouvXj8YvBSfqP/s320/SCBWI+Lasky+580x400_April2018.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />David Lasky, illustrating co-author of "The Oregon Trail: Road to Destiny," will talk about the making of the book, as well as the making of "Carter Family: Don't Forget This Song," on April 11, 2018 on the campus of SPU in Seattle. The event goes from 7 to 9pm. There is a charge of $15 for non-members to attend. <a href="https://chinookupdate.blogspot.com/2018/04/april-scbwi-wwa-meeting-with-david-lasky.html">More info here.</a><div>
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Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-33685897957378160092017-11-08T13:29:00.000-08:002017-11-08T13:30:08.638-08:00Oregon Trail Cosplay for Cats!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9tm30_4dI9VZDlCFlbZpSJtW2y0lBW7-lgFDZQNiTInbc_lz5M1TJBMoSf9JD63EoLxl1qMS9pxNjBndpHZofPxhQDdpiBQumJcsTuv0IkGqf2A-ssXJGs99obn374_L21FmmzK1BCr/s1600/Cat-bonnet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="753" data-original-width="750" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij-9tm30_4dI9VZDlCFlbZpSJtW2y0lBW7-lgFDZQNiTInbc_lz5M1TJBMoSf9JD63EoLxl1qMS9pxNjBndpHZofPxhQDdpiBQumJcsTuv0IkGqf2A-ssXJGs99obn374_L21FmmzK1BCr/s320/Cat-bonnet.jpg" width="318" /></a></div>
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My friend, A.K. Page, just posted about this product on her Facebook page, and I thought it was worth sharing here at the Road to Destiny blog... THE CAT BONNET! Apparently "Cats Love It". I love it too.<br /><br /><a href="http://thepinkpaperdoll.com/cat-bonnet-review/">Here is a review of the Cat Bonnet that I found via web search. </a><br />Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-24633287032955542162017-09-11T18:51:00.000-07:002017-09-11T18:51:12.269-07:00Real Life (Well, a Commercial) Imitates Our Graphic Novel!When I was writing the Oregon Trail graphic novel, I decided that Col. McCarty, the leader of the fictional wagon train in <i>Road to Destiny</i>, would be "played" by the likable actor Jeff Bridges. This suggestion, which artist David Lasky embraced, brought a certain character to McCarty that helped the reader accept--and, I hoped, like--the character.<br />
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">(pardon the cell phone photos)</span></i></div>
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Well, Lyft, that kinder, gentler alternative to Uber, must have seen our graphic novel, or gotten the same general idea...<br />
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Their new ad campaign stars Jeff Bridges, and can be seen <a href="https://youtu.be/TbqOldR0kN0">here</a>. The ad makers have the darned wagons being driven by horses, which continues the Hollywood myth that horses were capable of being such sturdy beasts of burden. Oxen aren't sexy, for sure, but... oh, pardon me. Don't get me started on that horse vs. ox business!</div>
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Anyhow, we got a kick out of seeing Mr. Bridges on an Oregon-bound wagon train. And in my next post, I'm going to finally get off my keester and visit the End of the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, whose great Heidi Hollister was such a huge and kind help to David and I when we created this graphic novel.</div>
<br />Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-52875729956360984622015-10-06T16:00:00.001-07:002015-10-06T16:00:23.884-07:00Oregon Ducks New Uniforms Salute Oregon History<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;">A tip of the hat (or helmet) to my brother Jason for alerting me to the fact that the Oregon Ducks football team is<a href="http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=210392870"> about to debut a new uniform </a>that pays tribute to Oregon History, including The Oregon Trail.</span></span><br />
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<span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The uniform, designed for the Ducks by Nike, debuts Oct 10. While silhouettes of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery (missing Sacagawea!) are prominent on the helmet, The Oregon Trail is also commemorated. According to the website goducks,com: "<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #404040; line-height: 22px;"><i>The lines on the helmet represent the principal legs of the 2,200-mile-long Oregon Trail.</i>" <br /><br />I like to think that the graphic novel "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Trail-The-Road-Destiny/dp/1570616493">Oregon Trail: Road to Destiny</a>" contributed in some small way (along with the video game) to this renewed interest in the OT as a key part of NW history. </span></span></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;"><span style="color: #404040; line-height: 22px;">More details and photos can be found at </span><a href="http://www.goducks.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=500&ATCLID=210392870" style="line-height: 22px;">the Ducks' website</a><span style="color: #404040; line-height: 22px;">. </span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #404040; font-family: 'PT Serif', Arial; font-size: 17px; line-height: 22px;"><br /></span></span>Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-33214640063761116472013-07-10T13:07:00.000-07:002013-07-10T13:07:53.415-07:00From Buy OlympiaThe Oregon Trail: Road to Destiny, the enthralling story of the Weston family's journey from Baltimore to Salem, is available from Buy Olympia...<br />
<a href="http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=oregon-trail-road-to-destiny">http://www.buyolympia.com/q/Item=oregon-trail-road-to-destiny</a><br />
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Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-6268713462283723992013-06-24T11:49:00.000-07:002013-06-24T11:49:17.340-07:00Nice Write-Up from Rainbow Resource Center<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugeGZFajuT0CexiZtTWcZr6JEZO77E4LCjHJvtcXx-F272coDyoBwqVm2Pe6cSe-tVbrer2p5zbOdCX2ECDzdBXx_VHf6RbAhfEP0wS5cfNzvagQ1-FXzVToaPbV6ePzGpyjHSbbMuiar/s1600/OT+Rainbow.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="278" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhugeGZFajuT0CexiZtTWcZr6JEZO77E4LCjHJvtcXx-F272coDyoBwqVm2Pe6cSe-tVbrer2p5zbOdCX2ECDzdBXx_VHf6RbAhfEP0wS5cfNzvagQ1-FXzVToaPbV6ePzGpyjHSbbMuiar/s320/OT+Rainbow.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Futzing around on the Internet, I came across this short, enthusiastic write-up of the Oregon Trail graphic novel. Thanks, Chad, for the kind words.Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-50206279377549825202013-05-24T09:33:00.000-07:002013-05-24T09:33:18.680-07:00Great Times at McGilvra Elementary School! (And in Vancouver, WA)Yesterday, David and I spent the day at Seattle's McGilvra Elementary School. We talked to three large groups of students (one after another) about our Oregon Trail graphic novel. This was our first encounter with members of the demographic for whom this book was created.<br /><br />We were touched and delighted at their overwhelmingly positive reaction. We also greatly appreciated the positive feedback from teachers who use the book as part of the Oregon Trail studies in the Washington state school system.<br />
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The students asked us some great questions. My favorite one, which we heard more than once, was the existentially basic "why did you do the book?"<br />
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David and I had celebrity status a rock star would envy. I lost count of the autographs I gave, and David and I both did several on-the-fly drawings. Once the students found out I could draw a passable ox, the request line redoubled. I could see David had a long waiting list, too. So much love in the room!<br />
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It was great to really understand that our book succeeds at what it sets out to do, and that it helps 21st century young people relate to the brave souls who took this very risky journey, 150+ years ago...<br />
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A few weeks back, I boarded an Amtrak train and traveled solo to Vancouver, Washington, where I signed 50 copies of the Oregon Trail book for a librarian's conference. It was great to meet school and public librarians, and introduce them to the book. We ran out of books quickly, and got word out about the graphic novel to these influential individuals.<br />
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Thanks to the astounding kindness of the teachers and students at McGilvra, and to Lisa Hay of Sasquatch Books, who has done a lot to make the world aware of our book. Here are a couple of iPod photos Lisa took of me at the Vancouver signing:<br />
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Thanks to everyone we met at these two great events! We hope to see you again soon!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-57071989460447857042013-03-21T15:51:00.000-07:002013-03-21T15:51:58.273-07:00from the School Library Journal, Jan. 2012<h4>
"...A good addition as an introduction to an Oregon Trail unit or for supplemental materials on the subject."</h4>
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<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;">Mariela Siegert, Westfield Middle </span></span></i><i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;">School, Bloomingdale, IL</span></span></i></h4>
<i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span></i><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: xx-small;"></span></span>Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-62990294439827184542013-03-21T15:38:00.002-07:002013-03-21T15:38:14.716-07:00A nice review<br />
I just noticed a nice review of "Oregon Trail: Road to Destiny" by a blogger named Teddy Rose...<br />
<a href="http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-review-oregon-trail-road-to.html">http://teddyrose.blogspot.com/2011/12/mini-review-oregon-trail-road-to.html</a><br />
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Thanks, Teddy!<br />
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Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-79281297508397588172011-11-30T14:48:00.000-08:002011-11-30T14:54:47.969-08:00Frank Will Be Signing in Salem on the 7th! (of December, that is!)Hi friends! Just an advance notice that Frank Young will be in Salem, Oregon on Wednesday, December 7th. As part of the Holiday Open House at the Oregon State Capitol, I'll be one of around 20 authors signing Oregon-themed books.<br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;">As The Road To Destiny ends in Salem, Oregon, it's an apt place for the signing. The three-hour Open House will <span style="font-size: small;">also feature a 27 ft.tall Noble Fir tree, surrounded by a</span><span style="font-size: small;"> replica village of historic Salem, and an A.C. Gilbert train. There'll also be live music and a food tasting.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">The event takes place on 12/7 from 4 to 7 PM. The State Capitol is located at </span><span class="st">900 Court St. NE in Salem, Oregon. I hope to see you there! Bring your copy of The Road To Destiny and I'll be happy to autograph it for you!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span class="st">In a vaguely related photo-op, here's a shot of David Lasky, as he inked one of the final pages of the graphic novel, in a sequence that takes place in the Salem of the late 1860s...</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXjYae5O4eIVlodM62N0xkJwmF4tAKe61oiyWSCZ_VypEc1CFmFkGxuygWPLU59XjmsQTBEF1tJnOpjBaHvVMeuVjX-ltgjoT-09OK8ZovF758Av8op-KSbaiNdyylTgRzOyP3hWc_hz/s1600/IMG_0381.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbjXjYae5O4eIVlodM62N0xkJwmF4tAKe61oiyWSCZ_VypEc1CFmFkGxuygWPLU59XjmsQTBEF1tJnOpjBaHvVMeuVjX-ltgjoT-09OK8ZovF758Av8op-KSbaiNdyylTgRzOyP3hWc_hz/s400/IMG_0381.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><span class="st"> </span><span style="font-size: small;"></span> </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: inherit; text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Here is the finished, published version of that page--one of the most nicely-drawn parts of the book!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gCKWgKFR-8Ib8M-xyXOu_7kr4xU-hahdTDojUIIXPxYHFCDZ8tdLgnGH_qZcy0bD0ED_2fsr4U5JYRkwlifPSkGjd5GbwVVD0rPg9swVRMCe6ZwssUv75_oU_crYXA0Onmmqw9sWAli4/s1600/SalemPageOTGN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_gCKWgKFR-8Ib8M-xyXOu_7kr4xU-hahdTDojUIIXPxYHFCDZ8tdLgnGH_qZcy0bD0ED_2fsr4U5JYRkwlifPSkGjd5GbwVVD0rPg9swVRMCe6ZwssUv75_oU_crYXA0Onmmqw9sWAli4/s400/SalemPageOTGN.jpg" width="263" /></a></div><br />
</div><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif"; font-size: 11pt;"></span><span style="font-family: "Constantia","serif";"></span>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-35726542492812963232011-10-23T11:01:00.000-07:002011-10-23T11:01:25.325-07:00Names Hill--Where OT Travelers Left Their Mark<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">One of my favorite moments in <i>The Road to Destiny</i> occurs when the Weston family reaches Names Hill. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4uDHrn57rK1l-E7P82y7DDjjXDfEZvO05IzWX_2UrK6YyBBehHr35Ot5xQVRbXTu51VqdZm8D1VjZ_45zKkqnkdcEyvDAuoo2saA6MXmEWCu5kL8gBb0b4qSr0rKq5v51R-YNoymbJDk/s1600/OtNames.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia4uDHrn57rK1l-E7P82y7DDjjXDfEZvO05IzWX_2UrK6YyBBehHr35Ot5xQVRbXTu51VqdZm8D1VjZ_45zKkqnkdcEyvDAuoo2saA6MXmEWCu5kL8gBb0b4qSr0rKq5v51R-YNoymbJDk/s320/OtNames.jpg" width="210" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This was a powerful milestone in the Oregon Trail journey for any of its travelers. Located in Wyoming, by the Green River, Names Hill was a popular stopping-off point for journeyers. According to Wikipedia, the earliest names carved by European-American trekkers are dated 1822--27 years before the fictitious Westons made their trek.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">The names on our version of Names Hill are mostly those of friends and loved ones--little "in jokes" for those significant folks in our lives. One friend's name rhymes with Names Hill, I just realized.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Below are some of the photo images we used as reference for this sequence in the book. Names Hill is on the National Register of Historic Places, and it's great that this document of the real travelers of the Oregon Trail is preserved for future generations to witness.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC28i3WK8GXAwEqiDCokZdUIpjSLaPixfpjS2okTs51wuFX07lR1VmEYxlJROfCaygWbiJmmR5Dv1FP4jy-Koy7nGgm4uLdJenhoqQQYlsrbgSlBYnRIKnBusLfV0C8B5zN83B52VcRuvk/s320/NamesHillPan.jpg" width="320" /></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIlcPcMqwGyBMc1DWAMb-GcEZJ36NccwLH5gt-EP6xooZgwtb61kx0AbMgpCamtmSwdCuBE3Ci1vakbrukOZfXtNkynQ4sfaioYcWYzwWubheONHXov9_1Z9_kalf6Ir5ec3El-ApAvN/s1600/nameshill9R4+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lIlcPcMqwGyBMc1DWAMb-GcEZJ36NccwLH5gt-EP6xooZgwtb61kx0AbMgpCamtmSwdCuBE3Ci1vakbrukOZfXtNkynQ4sfaioYcWYzwWubheONHXov9_1Z9_kalf6Ir5ec3El-ApAvN/s320/nameshill9R4+-+Copy.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkoIDjg52YOXosnXG556CsdQ6BP-HJ1fuRcp9M7odPk-zUJcP_dmV44Sw0bc36uGy7Ym4SLQirWM3W_C2ex4NUqluj9uIktPByBpuGqRV5vUr90wBThvv8hoMhlG1LgTBrHJqT3U8jo-D/s1600/NamesHill_IWFoutsOhio1851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFkoIDjg52YOXosnXG556CsdQ6BP-HJ1fuRcp9M7odPk-zUJcP_dmV44Sw0bc36uGy7Ym4SLQirWM3W_C2ex4NUqluj9uIktPByBpuGqRV5vUr90wBThvv8hoMhlG1LgTBrHJqT3U8jo-D/s320/NamesHill_IWFoutsOhio1851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-84040750202816095692011-10-10T12:22:00.000-07:002011-10-10T12:22:00.767-07:00Ferries--Safe Passage Over Perilous Waters<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkLQGyGxFQkX9Id-4h53GN0YmcUdDOXBTSh1xuM5yOJwyK25ou4hr07098wB7AE7Gphx8cT5eyKj1-r5DjUlTYf-Je8pBu8PU4K2GZ0LsyVGuixvJ38grSirr-ywW4sCAi-HLzgi55C4x/s1600/lombards+ferry+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBkLQGyGxFQkX9Id-4h53GN0YmcUdDOXBTSh1xuM5yOJwyK25ou4hr07098wB7AE7Gphx8cT5eyKj1-r5DjUlTYf-Je8pBu8PU4K2GZ0LsyVGuixvJ38grSirr-ywW4sCAi-HLzgi55C4x/s320/lombards+ferry+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Though much of the Oregon Trail journey took the travelers across dry, open land, there were rivers to cross. Some were simple creeks, which could be forded without preparation. Others, such as the Green River, were formidable bodies of fast-moving water.<br />
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To cross such a raging river without a ferry was folly, at best and suicide at worst. A ferry was set up in the early 1840s by a group of mountain men--fur traders who preceded the Oregon Trail emigrants to the vast wild of the Western United States.<br />
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The ferry was sold to a group of Mormons around 1850. Eventually, it was purchased by a man named Lombard--and belatedly named after him.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V4wb6mvj7H1YL4_FutPOfIybiHWtYg2TAgP5a1dsECmPNKjTd5nMfQHrORlQfdwZYg3rnBnCjlO5I-j7HkRB9tU7EbiGc0KDjqTWyOb5W3KrLNTWI3HH7IinklOZEi6c3HyJY7YQhObt/s1600/lombard+ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="242" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2V4wb6mvj7H1YL4_FutPOfIybiHWtYg2TAgP5a1dsECmPNKjTd5nMfQHrORlQfdwZYg3rnBnCjlO5I-j7HkRB9tU7EbiGc0KDjqTWyOb5W3KrLNTWI3HH7IinklOZEi6c3HyJY7YQhObt/s320/lombard+ferry.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>The black-and-white photo above is a re-creation of this primitive but effective ferry. Here is David's interpretation of this yet-unnamed ferry--which was still operated by mountain men as our main players, the Weston family, safely cross the deadly waters:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOIm_t5droyd94Ud3Wy4eduwVVIVNCzZ4cqn6rxEpzwwVX5eF0lbk2dg3lVsgHztM5H0Jmf6nPgjrcjx3gkuCQE6vjRpYLFqQmYLNdazBho9I86cEjV99jCn2ay0Tdk6hYTpt7WrNUqMm/s1600/Ferry.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyOIm_t5droyd94Ud3Wy4eduwVVIVNCzZ4cqn6rxEpzwwVX5eF0lbk2dg3lVsgHztM5H0Jmf6nPgjrcjx3gkuCQE6vjRpYLFqQmYLNdazBho9I86cEjV99jCn2ay0Tdk6hYTpt7WrNUqMm/s400/Ferry.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-1065265987458072242011-10-05T10:03:00.000-07:002011-10-05T10:10:43.435-07:00Another Review!<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">Self-described "c<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">omic book pundit/advocate/educator and comedic actor/performer" Corey Blake has <a href="http://coreyblake.com/tag/oregon-trail-the-road-to-destiny/">reviewed our book on his blog</a>.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: inherit;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">In his words, our book is "</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #333333; line-height: 18px;">targeted to preteens but it’s smart enough for older readers. The authors have done extensive research into personal accounts and other historic documents to get as accurate as possible. They tell an engaging story from the perspective of a fictional 11-year-old girl whose family makes the trek from Baltimore, Maryland, to Oregon in 1848."</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px;">From one improv comedian to another--thanks!</span>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-59942511198922377442011-10-04T10:04:00.000-07:002011-10-04T10:04:00.169-07:00Natural Wonders of the Oregon Trail<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHens2-O-gQlbclsZ4qkQ8FCGT48bCR9C6Asku40z0XB9MwwONzisskr3y_9Su2BQEzOSu0PMYd644aIImeeE-IcYLEOk5CkFFwkKobdBTw4zvkC5RbX0S7JLEHI4O34ApMr3cRLGi5D/s1600/Jail+Rock+and+Courthouse+Rock+Nebraska_JPG.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIfHens2-O-gQlbclsZ4qkQ8FCGT48bCR9C6Asku40z0XB9MwwONzisskr3y_9Su2BQEzOSu0PMYd644aIImeeE-IcYLEOk5CkFFwkKobdBTw4zvkC5RbX0S7JLEHI4O34ApMr3cRLGi5D/s400/Jail+Rock+and+Courthouse+Rock+Nebraska_JPG.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Oregon Trail journeyers saw plenty of wide open, sparsely-adorned prairie. They also were wowed by natural wonders such as this twin sensation--Jail Rock and Courthouse Rock.<br />
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Here is David's fascinating interpretation of these two aptly-paired rock towers:<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5FF0Xp4CWutvm2ifJ43AYlvpbIEIN068Xxst1-MMvruoDYDIo4h0g6MHol-SnF2D0_6IADJt7dUH72JqvES1dAeEcHa0wZ70B4TiFGcPT16T6tBADt8zmSPh5MUXKxck8YJj8IWtH3Zf/s1600/CourtJail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih5FF0Xp4CWutvm2ifJ43AYlvpbIEIN068Xxst1-MMvruoDYDIo4h0g6MHol-SnF2D0_6IADJt7dUH72JqvES1dAeEcHa0wZ70B4TiFGcPT16T6tBADt8zmSPh5MUXKxck8YJj8IWtH3Zf/s400/CourtJail.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>(This is the right half of a double-page spread. See the spread to its full effect in the book!)Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-79842567692138614832011-09-29T11:11:00.000-07:002011-09-29T11:11:00.588-07:00Buffalo Chips: The Shocking Truth!We'll spare you an illustration. David rendered this all-organic prairie alternative to wood several times in the course of <i>The Road To Destiny</i>. <br />
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When I wrote this book, I thought about how to approach this very real aspect of frontier life. I knew that the mention of "buffalo chips" would cause boy readers to smirk and guffaw--much as I would have done, in my childhood.<br />
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The best way to lay it on the table is as matter-of-factly as the emigrants would have faced the issue. Picking up the droppings of buffalo is no Sunday picnic, then or now. With trees at a premium--one that would increase tenfold as more people took the Oregon Trail trip--the dried leavings of these hoofed beasts were a traveler's best insurance of being able to cook a hot meal, boil water for drinking, shaving and washing, and (most importantly) make coffee.<br />
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David did a beautiful job on this page, in which Rebecca makes a practical decision between great literature and fuel for the fire:<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS9BwVGGyZs_wWLTlPcKC_Od-4yGfqF4m8BQ8pb4AjJuWoBXJ9B5u6kb5mhNk31OWcY2_OFeTh8t2mrNOxRO7NVa3FTHcRzVP8xot7yKKC4PB5-XxNcCuAdVV6kvu_O95kXwuSO3x17m0/s1600/bchips.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAS9BwVGGyZs_wWLTlPcKC_Od-4yGfqF4m8BQ8pb4AjJuWoBXJ9B5u6kb5mhNk31OWcY2_OFeTh8t2mrNOxRO7NVa3FTHcRzVP8xot7yKKC4PB5-XxNcCuAdVV6kvu_O95kXwuSO3x17m0/s1600/bchips.jpg" /></a></div>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-70911926199714032882011-09-22T16:57:00.000-07:002011-09-22T16:57:23.920-07:00Our First Review (That We Know Of)!Barbara Lloyd McMichael reviewed The Road To Destiny for the Bellingham, Washington <i>Herald</i>. Here's what she says about our book:<br />
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<i><b>So now for something completely different: "Oregon Trail: The Road to Destiny." Sasquatch Books has just published this graphic novel by two Seattle cartoonists, Frank Young and David Lasky.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>The story follows the fictional Weston family as it sets out on the Oregon Trail in 1848. We experience their bumpy progress and misadventures through the eyes of 11-year-old Rebecca Weston.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>This is a story with action and pizzazz: SMASH! THUD! GRRRRRR... typical cartoon sound effects abound as the overland party fords rivers, meets with Indians, hunts game, crosses treacherous mountains, and copes with drought, disease, and heart-wrenching loss.</b></i><br />
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<i><b>There is plenty of historical information packed into these energetic pages, but kids are so busy being entertained they won't resist being educated at the same time - heck, they won't even notice! </b></i><br />
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</div><div style="background-color: transparent; border: medium none; color: black; overflow: hidden; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">See Ms. McMichael's review in the Bellingham Herald <a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2011/09/19/2185099/northwest-authors-nonfiction-for.html">HERE</a>. We've gotten a couple of nice reviews on amazon.com, and we hope to get more press coverage of the book this fall. In the meantime, Thanks, Barbara!</div>Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-47783206541905203862011-09-15T16:47:00.000-07:002011-09-15T16:47:16.493-07:00The Secret Garden Book Signing...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">If you weren't able to attend Tuesday night's book launch and singing at Seattle's Secret Garden bookstore, here are a couple-three photos taken by a friend who attended the event. It was a great time overall--around 80 folks showed up, and we sold at least 40 copies of the book. All in all, a most heartening event in which to christen the release of our first graphic novel as a collaborative team (and our first graphic novel, period)!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">Local videographer Ron Austin shot some footage of the event. When he gets that edited together, we'll post a link to the video here. For now, still images will have to suffice...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRk325KAulNBtQrlOhCqF4HdbfdJ82e0gIZiwxMOET9sU72I5dkiI89lDBzAEuTV4m0owDi13XkXCFhZ2h4aJ4_tBIfn_Cv74wH7d9TVuF76rG4RV6X6ryhwRJ0pqjC2-P-P3bN9g1W-Vi/s320/IMG_0543.jpg" width="320" /></div>Intrepid creative duo David Lasky (in suspenders) and Frank Young (not in suspenders) sign copies of the graphic novel (including free-of-charge sketches) and socialize in eight different directions at once!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkvYQUjWaWRbpaBVCbVz-9D73sofKlncR2e9EeGmH4hsiPgo4q40Xzn4k9Rdu-v9GliyVoQA7D9whA7-HcWRbAObL0OdguMZmt76An7MJKDFu5yFT6dc9eZvsx20ry0tXL0XsPI61iSb9/s1600/IMG_0541.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJkvYQUjWaWRbpaBVCbVz-9D73sofKlncR2e9EeGmH4hsiPgo4q40Xzn4k9Rdu-v9GliyVoQA7D9whA7-HcWRbAObL0OdguMZmt76An7MJKDFu5yFT6dc9eZvsx20ry0tXL0XsPI61iSb9/s320/IMG_0541.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>A dramatic rear view as we improvise our way through a talk about how the Oregon Trail graphic novel came together. The talk went well, and we had some great questions from the other attendees. Thanks, folks (especially for laughing at my jokes)!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE_Nt_GHgACwXQ5uX7gUFb_FXzgyxkJBDIi1Y0aOHiUjQh4yEYWhcVFCIpCrmT_Vlzg8kanM7S7g7L64ZrzUJyeIUe5m0j949kXzwR6yH6PDrjYdfBLv3guU8Sg5QGKLNDtjkrli4WhIh/s1600/IMG_0542.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE_Nt_GHgACwXQ5uX7gUFb_FXzgyxkJBDIi1Y0aOHiUjQh4yEYWhcVFCIpCrmT_Vlzg8kanM7S7g7L64ZrzUJyeIUe5m0j949kXzwR6yH6PDrjYdfBLv3guU8Sg5QGKLNDtjkrli4WhIh/s320/IMG_0542.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>More book signing. We signed a lot of copies that evening! David did a delightful sketch of protagonist Rebecca Weston in many copies; I did my best generic ox portrait in several as well.<br />
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Our sincere thanks to everyone who attended--you made it a really special moment in our lives and careers!Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-17660748306921288742011-09-12T16:25:00.000-07:002011-09-12T17:05:44.622-07:00Oregon Trail Book Signing in Seattle Tuesday, September 13th!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1WGZoyCXUf4ycz32w_Y-qw9j54S1CQmL3KIJaUmyN-IexPnUV9TuN7jJwaw-aKGM2JqI8_cMt2TZODiwhu3IaeNgvaUYh-bCu_S613lj2LaDM6J4lHh3zz3XgVBjk18ggZoSvJHlD3OM/s1600/photo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjo1WGZoyCXUf4ycz32w_Y-qw9j54S1CQmL3KIJaUmyN-IexPnUV9TuN7jJwaw-aKGM2JqI8_cMt2TZODiwhu3IaeNgvaUYh-bCu_S613lj2LaDM6J4lHh3zz3XgVBjk18ggZoSvJHlD3OM/s400/photo.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Photograph by Paul C. Tumey. Thanks, Paul, for snapping this shot for us!</i></span></div><br />
Our fine friends at <a href="http://www.secretgardenbooks.com/">Secret Garden Books,</a> located in Seattle's charming Ballard neighborhood, are hosts of the first official Oregon Trail graphic novel event.<br />
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Tuesday, Septembee 13th, from 7 PM to 8 (and possibly later), David and I will be at the Secret Garden to sign copies of our graphic novel. If you're in the area, please stop by and say hi!Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-54417605257779356272011-09-06T19:02:00.000-07:002011-09-06T19:06:43.324-07:00On Sept 13, 2011, at Secret Garden Books, in Seattle's Ballard neighborhood, Frank and I will be having our<a href="http://www.secretgardenbooks.com/event/david-laskey-and-frank-young-boregon-trail-road-destinyb"> Oregon Trail book launch party</a>! Come on by at 7pm and have your copy signed. I will even draw a little sketch of Becca, the book's main character, if you ask. <br /><br />If you can't make it, the book is in stores NOW and also available from online retailers!Laskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-3556714029116733252011-08-13T11:36:00.000-07:002011-08-13T11:36:06.950-07:00Bonnets: Essential Headgear For The Oregon Trail!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2mHRn__SmwJ34f4sGpHIpENXZWO0OQpf7A4pvBN5HlkPa_XqYakMLNXQojEwo2zZafaoRCJllQ_sh-BGdi1vy49Q-TkgpFTjZsSKrKnOkT1uYX2TROvQX4_nvdsbeuNjKdq8R4wBkeYl/s1600/le_manteau_dhermine1840.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju2mHRn__SmwJ34f4sGpHIpENXZWO0OQpf7A4pvBN5HlkPa_XqYakMLNXQojEwo2zZafaoRCJllQ_sh-BGdi1vy49Q-TkgpFTjZsSKrKnOkT1uYX2TROvQX4_nvdsbeuNjKdq8R4wBkeYl/s400/le_manteau_dhermine1840.gif" width="273" /></a></div>Bonnets are an image of quaintness--of bygone days. Although they're still used, for practical reasons, by women in the farming world, they seem a frivolous fashion accessory from another century.<br />
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This headgear was essential for survival on the hot, dusty Oregon Trail. More functional than fanciful, the bonnet's goal was to prevent its user from sunburn, sunstroke and other UV-based hazards.<br />
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There was no sunblock on the Oregon Trail. Men wore broad-brimmed hats for the same reason. This headgear was hot and uncomfortable under the merciless rays of the sun. But without this protection, the Oregon Trail emigrants would have been utterly miserable.<br />
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In these days before sunglasses, bonnets also helped to greatly cut the glare of broad daylight. It thus allowed travelers keener vision, in case of unexpected dangers--or to spot roadside goodies, such as firewood, "buffalo chips" or cast-offs of prior Trail travelers.<br />
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People still wear hats, of course. Baseball caps, knit caps and hoodies are our modern bonnets. We have more sophisticated options to protect us from melanoma, sunburn or other issues. But we still wear hats--both for fashion's and for function's sake. This is one of the many small details that link us to our Oregon Trail-traveling forefathers.Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-28290810645661726802011-08-05T15:48:00.000-07:002011-08-05T15:48:00.175-07:00Some Horse Sense About Oxen--the Transportation of The Trail!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GvzPE7uMB1OWlTWads6AJDTcCdWq_30EGlk3qePBOV_1vKD6ljtAmVPcq4mwgTh5PIqhHgw_CvrYC9SKrThTB9VqPTzgJQH4HlJnhUQjrXDt1NJZLUVvZjHNehTfZvq1EZEaCATxyr8E/s1600/p10848.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="262" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GvzPE7uMB1OWlTWads6AJDTcCdWq_30EGlk3qePBOV_1vKD6ljtAmVPcq4mwgTh5PIqhHgw_CvrYC9SKrThTB9VqPTzgJQH4HlJnhUQjrXDt1NJZLUVvZjHNehTfZvq1EZEaCATxyr8E/s400/p10848.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
If you've ever seen an old Hollywood Western about frontier days, the Oregon Trail, or other Westward migrations, you've been fed a small falsehood.<br />
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Those movies, while quite entertaining, insisted on using horses as the animals who conveyed the migrants' covered wagons to the new Territories.<br />
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In truth, oxen were the preferred vehicle for Oregon Trail travelers. They cost less than horses, were sturdier, and needed less maintenance. Oxen ate grass, not oats. If there was green on the ground, they could graze to their heart's (and stomach's) content after a long day's trek on the Trail.<br />
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Oxen aren't as photogenic as horses, plain and simple. (We think they look pretty cool--they're fun to draw, as well!) Thus, movie makers chose the handsomer horse to lead wagoner's creaking carts on that long, dusty trail.<br />
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Next time you see a classic Oregon Trail movie, like the Jimmy Stewart-led 1952 <i>Bend of the River,</i> or the grim, excellent 1951 film <i>Westward, the Women</i>, try to find an ox in the cast! There may be one or two in the background, but the covered wagons will be drawn by horses.<br />
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Our graphic novel hopes to put an end to this horsey myth. Oxen rule!Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-50122440736527772752011-08-01T07:25:00.000-07:002011-08-01T07:25:30.603-07:00Baltimore in the 1840s: America's Second-Largest City<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnn-WYorWBXueTM9R_9RN2b_5a69FT-A468qjJp1Uu-6oMNa88Nj0x5KkKYSi0V-pSYkwJKXKyXAmJZ-nqtG-MotwTClBnq98krK17kyMmT_zJ6fvwVjIHg0NVI7TLckNxAyHSVyiIyy_/s1600/baltimore_broadway_1850s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAnn-WYorWBXueTM9R_9RN2b_5a69FT-A468qjJp1Uu-6oMNa88Nj0x5KkKYSi0V-pSYkwJKXKyXAmJZ-nqtG-MotwTClBnq98krK17kyMmT_zJ6fvwVjIHg0NVI7TLckNxAyHSVyiIyy_/s320/baltimore_broadway_1850s.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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In 1848, the year in which THE ROAD TO DESTINY takes place, Baltimore, Maryland was the second-biggest city in the United States. As these period photos show, it was a bustling, busy city. It was also rather grimy and ramshackle.<br />
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A city like Baltimore was a great place to be--as long as you didn't mind polluted air, the risk of catching diseases from the water, from refuse in the streets or from one of the many passers-by. It wasn't necessarily the best place to raise a family.<br />
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This was the decision of John Weston, the father of the family in our graphic novel. He has two children. One of them (Rebecca) is hardy and healthy. The youngest Weston, Charlie, is sickly, and the atmosphere of hectic Baltimore isn't doing him any good.<br />
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Charlie's health is one of the reasons John decides to pack up the life he and his family have known, and to head westward.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASfQb5dO1QCqrm7K_5GgqCJfDzCpliTT79okQkzEVq2wAmertJ7-lP617KKciCKH7pWOjGfGNQBvv1pwuMxLt3d7QNmtokKDE-5cg-Zfe74b6zioOOUvKpx2nWmsx5Z6aY_CL1hXNSm1H/s1600/DownloadedFile.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASfQb5dO1QCqrm7K_5GgqCJfDzCpliTT79okQkzEVq2wAmertJ7-lP617KKciCKH7pWOjGfGNQBvv1pwuMxLt3d7QNmtokKDE-5cg-Zfe74b6zioOOUvKpx2nWmsx5Z6aY_CL1hXNSm1H/s400/DownloadedFile.jpeg" width="380" /></a></div><br />
We didn't intend to "dis" Baltimore in our graphic novel. It seemed a practical place to launch the journey of the Weston family. To be fair, these unsanitary and health-threatening conditions plagued all large cities in the United States in the mid-19th century.<br />
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Things have gotten better since then, but pollution, pollen, and other particulate matter still cause urban sinuses to go out of whack. And it's still just as easy to catch a cold, via some careless soul sneezing on a bus, or in line at a grocery store.Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-78043872354169371062011-07-30T08:39:00.000-07:002011-07-30T08:39:58.867-07:00Diary of An Un-Wimpy Kid--The Road to Destiny<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa_HU0tQaq4HDES8Is-4lBx-HwOpaKNOn74tnJBjjcwTUkJtf7E2HAtWJyAaNVFcDwn4EucNX4f6Jx3qjNZ7jSGWvlbGlZkxNhxJhzwOkbTYPZ_Mm4NLUWfiDqaJXPPhvTuCUiRl6A6M/s1600/OTrealcover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCa_HU0tQaq4HDES8Is-4lBx-HwOpaKNOn74tnJBjjcwTUkJtf7E2HAtWJyAaNVFcDwn4EucNX4f6Jx3qjNZ7jSGWvlbGlZkxNhxJhzwOkbTYPZ_Mm4NLUWfiDqaJXPPhvTuCUiRl6A6M/s400/OTrealcover.jpg" width="265" /></a></div>This blog is devoted to a new original graphic novel created by David Lasky and Frank Young, entitled <i>OREGON TRAIL: THE ROAD TO DESTINY.</i> This 120-page, black and white graphic novel tells a lively story, based on American history. In the book, you'll meet Rebecca Weston, a smart, observant 11 year-old who chronicles the journey of a lifetime.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz0Zs4ikHBxiuHO_I6HYodzURNph_cuzQvLU48UCi6I-SQrf4rcdIrzOJzJZsB4CuTPvn2a13-UKOvAW881lsC2wKS6mvd3KS6kSt7lEcIegWsxNmM3CfSEURcwA9ek2zvsuKtTAmAC6L/s1600/becca1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGz0Zs4ikHBxiuHO_I6HYodzURNph_cuzQvLU48UCi6I-SQrf4rcdIrzOJzJZsB4CuTPvn2a13-UKOvAW881lsC2wKS6mvd3KS6kSt7lEcIegWsxNmM3CfSEURcwA9ek2zvsuKtTAmAC6L/s400/becca1.jpg" width="157" /></a></div>Rebecca and her family, based in bustling, grimy Baltimore, leave family, friends and familiar places behind in 1848. They take a life-changing trip along the Oregon Trail to find a new life for themselves in the yet-untamed Pacific Northwest.<br />
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Rebecca's father, John, is a newspaper writer. Inspired by his career, Rebecca decides to chronicle her family's trip. Her narration informs the story throughout.<br />
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<i>The Road to Destiny</i> shows the ups and downs of this often-grueling journey. David and I enjoyed creating the character of Rebecca. Her viewpoint gave us a fresh and personable way to tell this story.<br />
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Rebecca's use of a diary is historically accurate. Much of the information we have about the experience of the Oregon Trail comes from personal accounts.<br />
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We have become so accustomed to the Internet, to PDAs, to the ease at which we can record our thoughts and observations. Many of us have portable telephones which can take digital photographs. On a whim, we can send these images to friends all around the world.<br />
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It's food for thought to realize how precious and fleeting these experiences are, and how much harder it was for people to capture them in the 19th century.<br />
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We kept this in mind in our characterization of Rebecca. She is most certainly <i>not</i> a wimpy kid...Frank M. Younghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04673579882180372546noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8229898273018723033.post-84032265647829438642011-07-27T13:18:00.000-07:002011-07-27T13:56:59.103-07:00Welcome<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Trail-Destiny-Frank-Young/dp/1570616493"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 200px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 200px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5634131539362050018" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinXnc-lUM5YkpSjNcLtsuvohTpQ-rqCTQQUlJFKrOjPaSh8T0JdE1O79N9inQlXYJF70umJdI_xbbkwzayNfiDv7WRitbT1qV2x1sUbowp2Dwm8aajiiFKplb0foG0RsC5JuTKjdjrzAhb/s200/Oregon+Trail+cover.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><div>Welcome to the blog for the exciting new graphic novel "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Oregon-Trail-Destiny-Frank-Young/dp/1570616493">Oregon Trail: Road of Destiny</a>," from Sasquatch Books. Here is how our publisher describes it: </div><br /><blockquote>Based on extensive research into personal accounts of the Oregon Trail, comic authors David Lasky and Frank Young have created a graphic narrative of one family's epic journey. The main character is an 11-year-old girl whose family is setting course for the west to seek new opportunities and to escape the "overcrowded and filth" of the eastern city where they had been living.<br />Revealed is all of the planning, equipment, and logistics involved in such a trip. The book features a series of two-page spreads detailing a visual inventory of everything the family has with them — the parts of a covered wagon and a personal annotated map of the trail. Readers get a ground-level feel for what it was like to be part of this storied migration west — not a dry recitation of dates and facts, but an immediately memorable living history. </blockquote>Frank Young and I will post sample art, sketches, and background info from the book. We hope this not only promotes the book, but also develops into an online resource for students of the Oregon Trail. Check in from time to time and enhance your Oregon Trail experience!<br /><br />-David LaskyLaskyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09032964387014204241noreply@blogger.com0