Caulk the Wagon

Back when we were kids — no older than seven or eight, mind you — we traveled the Oregon Trail. With only a few scraps of food, a leaky wagon and more varmints than bullets, we traversed that dusty stretch from Missouri to Oregon. We cheered when we found food, grumbled when we overloaded our buggy — this was life and death, lit by the green glow of a roomful of Apple IIes. Yeah, sure, it was "just a game." But how often do you get to name videogame characters after your classmates; how often can you turn to the kid who stole your Lunchable and whisper, "You have dysentery"? Exactly. Get back on the trail Saturday and Sunday, March 18 and 19, at the Historic Daniel Boone Home and Boonesfield Village (1868 Highway F, Defiance; 636-798-2005 or www.geocities.com/Athens/Parthenon/7109). From 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Oregon Trail Days, costumed re-enactors share a glimpse of life along that 2,000-mile stretch; at eight different stations on this miniaturized trail, you'll learn about the traditions formed — and the hardships faced — on such trying terrain. Tickets are $5; in our day, that would've bought a wagonload of hardtack.
Sat., March 18; Sun., March 19