When his family travels west via wagon train in 1845, Ben faces many adventures and hardships. Along with the dangers of rough weather and wild animals, Ben also fears the possibility that he might have a devastating asthma attack. As his family sets out from Missouri to Oregon, young Ben wonders whether he will have more trouble with the dangers of the journey or his debilitating asthma.
If you traveled west in a covered wagon would you ride in the wagon for the whole trip? How would you cross rivers when there were no bridges? Without road signs, how would you know where you were?