Transamerica

In my study of US history, I considered the periods between the Civil War (1860’s) and the turn of twentieth century quite boring. People lived. Died. Stuff happened. That’s it. However, one event stands out in my mind.



In 1869, Irish and Chinese immigrants completed the transcontinental railroad, sparking the end of the western frontier – a once unthinkable accomplishment. Before this railroad existed, only horses, ponies, and oxen had the capabilities to go from the Mississippi to the Pacific.

Did you want mail delivered to San Francisco from St. Louis? Take it on the pony express. Want to move to Oregon to start a farm? Get some oxen for your covered wagon and be prepared to climb mountains, ford streams, and risk starvation and disease to get to your destination.

The transcontinental railroad signified a historical shift not only in how Americans travel, but also how we view the mysteries of The West.

As we trek I-80 from Michigan to San Francisco in the comfort of our Pontiac Vibe, I think how different things are now – only 140 years later. Now, we can trek the Rockies on a paved, national highway system at 75 miles per hour with ease. You can also swim in an indoor pool, watch HBO, eat McDonalds, and see the latest movie if you wish. Times have changed – no cholera or hay fever, no buffalo (because we killed them all), and no threats of “Indian attack” – we gave the Native Americans too many other problems to deal with.

Interestingly, the route of the original transcontinental railroad closely matches that of Interstate 80.

As I type this sentence on my macbook, we spend our first moments in Wyoming together - at 70 miles an hour. How rugged.

I will keep you posted for more news.