May 16, 1853: Monday
"Rose early & before we had the cattle entirely fed commenced raining, & rained very hard for some hours.  A part of the company went out to procure a bull which was purchased as common stock for the families at $25.00."
May 17, 1853: Tuesday
"Rained last night and this morning, making camp quite muddy and unpleasant getting about.  Quite a storm in the night.  Late starting.  A muddy road through the Missouri bottom.  Arrive at the river about two o’clock.  Part of the teams went over but mine were left till last, & getting quite dark & storms threatening—we laid over till morning."
May 18, 1853: Wednesday
"The wind blew a perfect gale last night & very cold this morning.  Here we met with Indians who are just on the other side.  Packed up Camp Chest & left with Jim Banks at his ranch house, the landing being called Iowa Point, with Arthur Chick’s trunk to be shipped to Boston to the care of ... & thence to Pugets Sound."
May 19, 1853: Thursday
"Yesterday the wind continued so high until dark that it was unsafe to cross.  I passed over however to the camp with some Indians in a canoe.  This morning it is clear & calm but river rising and a strong current.  Ferried over & started about noon.  Paid Indians for two waggons—50 cents.  Passed another lodge—paid 50 [cents] more for bridge.  Camped in the open prairie."
May 20, 1853: Friday
"The country yesterday was beautiful & rather dry rolling prairie but today encountered some bad slews [sic].  Started at 7 o’clock.  Camped on Crooked Creek."
May 21, 1853: Saturday
"Started at ½ past 7.  A few ponds on the road, where at intervals timber may be seen at from ½ a mile to two miles distant.  Camped about two miles from the road to the left.  Late arriving in camp.  Were about 7 miles from Nemahaw.  About a mile or 1 ½ beyond where we turned off of—timber within ½ mile of the road to the right."
May 22, 1853: Sunday
"Last night was stormy.  Cattle scattered out & several of them were lost.  Had to go out in various directions to find them.  Went as far as the Nemahaw, after a company who camped near us Monday.  Richardson & Carson found them—back on the road about 6 miles—about being taken into a drive of cattle.  Morning rainy.  No religious service."
May 23, 1853: Monday
"Started in good time.  Pleasant weather.  Crossed the Nemahaw before noon.  Right hand crossing is rough.  Large Rocks in bed of the creek & the bank on both sides steep & difficult.  Left hand crossing—gradual descent on both sides & creek gravelly bottom.  Travelled [sic] about 19 miles.  Camped on Stony Creek."
May 24, 1853: Tuesday
"Found timber near the road a good portion of the way.  Crossed two small branches.  Camped on the prairie— a short distance after crossing the last branch taking wood with us & going ½ mile after water."
May 25, 1853: Wednesday
"Started Early reached Big Blue [River] at noon.  A large number of waggons & vast amount of stock collected here.  River high but falling.  Most of the stock are driven into the creek to swim over.  A ferry is established for waggons.  $3.00 rides driving one yoke of cattle—Extra cattle 50 cents a head.  Camped back about a mile from ferry—on Blue River."
May 26, 1853: Thursday
"Remained at camp all day.  Women washed.  Fixed lock chains.  Reloaded waggons.  A fine camp.  Wood plenty & some excellent springs of water emptying in the river bottom.  This camp is about ¾ mile from the road & is on the edge of the bluff, where a scattering orchard of Post Oaks grow."
May 27, 1853: Friday
"Started about ½ past 7 from camp.  Detained for some time at the river before crossing, but got all over about one o’clock & started on two or three miles & stopped to give cattle grass, & eat our dinners.  Endeavored to reach small branch, but many cattle in sight about it.  Stopped a little beyond Independence Road on the left.  Found water & grass."
May 28, 1853: Saturday
"Started ½ past 6—Drove on without stopping at noon hoping to make a camping place early in the afternoon.  Guide Books indicating one at a distance of 17 miles on a branch probably Otter Creek.  Did not reach it until about 5 o’clock.  Road hilly.  Have good camp.  Grass, wood, & water to the right of the road.  Staked our cattle.  Heavy Shower of Rain & Lightning in the night."
May 29, 1853: Sunday
"This morning & good part of the day shining & rainy at some times rather heavily.  Rose rather late.  the branch which had little water in last night gives indications of having had from eight to ten feet depth of water having been over its lower banks.  Cleared of [sic] somewhat in  the afternoon.  Preached at 3 o’clock from Heb. 11:8-10."
May 30, 1853: Monday
"Rose at 4, started at 7.  Road pretty much same as on Saturday hilly.  Crossed a small branch miles from the one on which we camped.  Timber in sight to the left & broken, rugged bluffs probably of [sic] the banks of the latter.  Some bad hills. especially at Little Sandy & between that & Big Sandy.  Crossed B. S. [Big Sandy] & camped one mile beyond to the right, good grass.  Wood & Water ¼ mile on creek."
May 31, 1853: Tuesday
"Rose at 4 Started at 6 o’clock.  Com[menced] raining & cont[inued] to for about two hours.  Timber at intervals to the right & left from ½ to 2 m[iles] indicating branches.  Rained more or less at intervals during the day.  Camped one mile beyond creek, where water & wood was obtained. Stood guard for the first time at night from 1 to 5 am.  Stormy during the night."