1850- January 31

It seems as though everything I have gone on the journey for is finally paying off and it was definetly worth it. I wonder what would've happened if Jacoby would have lived and never tricked us. he would probably be living this fantastic life that I am now living. Of course I am not perfectly rich, my life is so much better than what it was two years before. I also wonder what it would have been like if we did fall victim to Jacoby's trap. I am feeling less guilty about leaving him behind. Amelia is living with me right now and I have once again started to write in journal. We are saving up to send for Mother and Chelsea to come. I have finally found my better life.
Damian Wilkinson

1848- August 3

Alas! We have reached California! This land looks amazing! A few others have settled here before us. I am filled with a happiness I have never felt before. The journey was worth the risk. This amazing feeling... is practically indescribable. I cannot wait for Mother, Amelia, and even Chelsea to come to us!
Damian Wilkinson

1848- July 4

Happy Independence Day!
It is a happy day indeed. So far the journey is running smoothly and I am proud to say that I am the one who made it possible. My prayers to God were definetly answered. I had drawn a copy of the map that Jacoby took back in my journal. It isn't as accurate of course, however it will lead us in the right direction. According to my map, we are in Nevada and we're resting for a while to try and take in what happened so far. Our food is not a lot, however there are much less people than what we started with. In less than a month, we should finally reach California. And then it's finally over, however it then becomes the beginning of the rest of my life. I am unsure of what the future holds, however I have never wanted to find out more than I do now, what my future holds.
Damian Wilkinson

1848- May 21

We haven't let the death of Jacoby get in the way of what we started. We weren't going to let Jacoby be the end of what we have worked so hard for. I have decided to take lead- once again. And because no one else had any better ideas they went along with it. For now, we are just traveling as southwest as we can to get out of Mexican Territory. After that, I am not sure what we are going to do. God, if you can hear me now, give me a sign or help me lead these men. They have put their lives in my hands and I cannot let their families down. Amen. I have decided not to speak to Father for a while so that I can give him some time to relapse from the incident with Jacoby. However I am not going to let my father's grief slow me down from what I want. Somehow, I am going to lead these men to California and do what I came all this way to do; make a better life for Mother, Amelia, and Chelsea.
Damian Wilkinson

1848- May 20

Rest In Peace
Jacoby Salisbury

Yesterday in my journal I wrote about how much I disliked Jacoby and how much I hated the fact that I trusted him so much even though he ended up deceiving us. However after my talk with Father, I feel so guilty. I had left my friend behind to die when he finally realized last minute that what he was doing was wrong. I failed him as a friend. He was the only one to see past my young age and let me take charge. Although putting me in chage may have been apart of his plan, he still let me lead. Rest In Peace.

1848- April 21

I have never been so nervous or excited in my life! We are merely hours away from Mexican Territory. I can see the nervousness is getting to Jacoby as well. He can not stop flinching and his hands cannot sit still on the reins of his horse. Either way, I can tell we are ready. A new life is just around the corner!
Damian Wilkinson

1848- April 8

It seems useless writing both a blog and journal however all the writing sooths me. I am feeling more comfortable with Jacoby once again as spring comes back to us. Oh how happy I am that spring is once again here. I was beginning to think that this horrid cold weather would last a lifetime. I have been letting Jacoby read my journal once again and this morning he laughed as he read how I wrote I enjoyed seeing my father cringe as Jacoby let me take charge of the map. After laughing though, Jacoby went back to his normal guilty looking self. I am starting to believe that is just how he looks. So maybe there really isn't anything to worry about. Today we stepped forward into Nebraska and next Wyoming. Wyoming is where Jacoby used to tell me to be careful of because we would be stepping into Mexican Territory. However now when it seems as though he is about to bring up the subject of Mexicans, he stops himself from warning me. So maybe there really isn't anything to worry about. Maybe the Mexicans have gotten over the fact that most of our people have corrupt their culture.
I really want Jacoby to make it safely to California, perhaps even more than I want myself to make it safely. Jacoby has no family of his own. He told me that he and his wife were seperated and he considers Father to be apart of the family. I wanted to badly to ask him if he wanted to stay with us however I know we wouldn't be able to manage. but that is why we are going to California! To get better lives. I am more than ever ready to get to California. I want to step forth on the land and feel the breeze blow in my hair letting me know that I have taken this journey and have succeeded. The ending to this journey, marks the beginning of my next. To start my life anew and help Father support our family.
Damian Wilkinson