The Oregon Trail was a historic route used by settlers traveling westward across the United States during the 19th century. It stretched about 2,170 miles from Missouri to Oregon's Willamette Valley. The trail was crucial for the westward expansion and settlement of the American frontier.

Travelers on the Oregon Trail typically used covered wagons to carry their goods and families. The journey was arduous and dangerous, involving crossings of rivers, rough terrain, and the threat of diseases. Despite these challenges, it was a key route for those seeking new opportunities and land in the western territories. This work revisits the trail a few years after the financial crash of 2008.