Remembering the Trail of Tears

[Oldhiker]

I appreciate you posting this and found the information wonderful to learn. The history they taught us in school was rather sanitized.

[Farlander]

Hello BigKahuna. Yes, our families may have been neighbors (or worse). In the hills, Just west of the French and Broad is where my family is from. My Grandparents tell me that there are still family members living in those hills.

Cavscout, finding experts of the Cherokee language may be a bit of a challenge but not impossible. Unfortunately, my sources are probably not any better than yours. The following site, 'A Small Lexicon of Cherokee/Tsalagi' is not bad, and it lists a number of references that might be useful:
http://public.csusm.edu/public/raven.../cherlexi.html

[Wolfhawk]

Texas had it own bunch of Cherokees we seemed to have driven off thier land here, also.

http://www.texfiles.com/features/cherokee.htm

There has been, over the years, and attempts to gain back a reservation here in Texas. Here is one of the attempts:
http://www.texascherokees.org/

[Bigkahuna]

Hey CavScout Tsalagi Hi wo neesh gi??

[cavscout]

osda!

siyo bigkakahuna

v, usti tsiwoni tsalagi. nihina?

http://www.oconeeleatherworks.com/Wh...OconeeMean.htm

[cavscout]

**Update**

The web site has a very short video clip of the team of riders walking a section of the actual Trail of Tears. The accompanying map entry states they walked only a mile and a half and it was very hot. To envision that section of road less than 200 years ago crowded with people moving toward a forced unknown with only the remains of their lives in the East is a touching image.

http://www.remembertheremoval.org/Re...non%2C_MO.html

[Ozark Ridge Rider]

I am happy to report that the young Cherokees successfully completed their ride last Wednesday.

I was able help a bit with route finding locally, and to meet them in Monett, Missouri, July 12, and ride about 20 miles with them into Cassville. Wasn't sure I would be able to hang with them but made it OK - even led the way into town.

What a super bunch of kids. More than 900 miles in just a few days. Sounded like typical summer ride; heat, bugs, hills, rough roads, flat tires. No major mishaps, although two of them were sporting new middle names ("Pavement" and "Asphalt" - have to be stories there.)

I felt privileged to be able to help and participate a bit. Got a really nice thank you note from their ride leader. Thanks again, Cavscout, for posting this.

[cavscout]

Hey, that's great to hear. I wish I could have met up with them as well. Reading a few of their blog posts it was clear that it was a meaningful experience for them. Osda!