The first portion of the journey was easy. They rode a wagon to Sandusky, where they caught a train to Cincinnati. From there they rode a steamer down the Ohio, upper the Mississippi a short way, then up the Missouri. They disembarked at Kansas City to begin their overland route. They stayed there five weeks getting their wagon ready and finding draft animals. They joined Gustavus Hines, a Methodist missionary, who had written a book on Oregon history. He and his brother Harvey, another brother Jedidiah, and their families were headed back west.
They left around the first of May. They were lucky to have Gustavus to lead them as he had been on the route before and could find the best camping areas for water and grass for the animals. He also insisted on observance of the Sabbath Day. Phoebe was impatient at the delay but admitted the rest was much needed, especially for the animals.
They were delayed several days at the Big Blue River, in which several wagon trains waited to be ferried across. Another delay of half a day was caused by a wagon that lost a wheel. Throughout this area they were not bothered by the Delaware, Shawnee, and Potawotami Indians, who were friendly. But they had to be vigilant in Pawnee territory. The Pawnee did manage to stampede the stock once, but the pioneers caught them in the act of trying it again and chased them away.
When they reached the Platte River valley, there were long stretches with no wood. If they had not gathered enough from other camps this would have meant no hot food. The area was also very muddy and boggy, which was very difficult for the animals to drag the wagons. They were able to bag some buffalo to supplement their monotonous diet. Eventually they crossed the Platte. On the other side, she noticed the large number of graves they encountered, most dying of cholera.
Shortly afterward, they reached Chimney Rock, which they all knew was a famous landmark. They also passed by several Sioux villages. The Indians did not bother them at all. On June 26, Phoebe gave birth to a son the named Charles La Bonta, after the place he was born. A few days later, they followed the Sweetwater River and camped near Independence Rock. Since it was July 4, they stayed an extra day and had a picnic. From there, they journeyed through the Wind River Mountains, the highest point in their trip. It was cold and snowy. The landscape on the other side was quite barren and the animals had a difficult time finding adequate forage. There was more grass in the Bear River valley though there were still few trees but willow to use for fuel.
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