pioneer- someone who travels far to move from one area to another in order to find a new place to live and only bringing what they could in one trip.

covered wagon-a wagon that is pulled by oxen or horse that has a canvas top. These wagons were used to carry a family and their belongings.

wagon tongue- a long and narrow piece of wood that connected the oxen to the wagon.

yoke- a wooden frame that fits around the necks of two oxen. The yoke would be used to help attach the oxen to the wagon tongue.

wagon train- a group of covered wagons traveling together.

ford- when the oxen pulled a covered wagon across a small river or stream that is not deep.

pass- an opening through a mountain range that is easier for a wagon to travel through.

scow- a flat boat that was used as a raft to help wagons cross large and deep rivers.

wilderness- an area of land that is naturally untouched and wild.

blaze- to mark trees in the wilderness to help pioneers with the direction of a particular trail.

prairie- flat grassland, with very few trees, in Midwestern America.

boom town- a prairie town that grows quickly.