Trials, Romance, and Faith on the Oregon Trail

antique photo of wagon train
A western silhouette of a couple dancing together

Journey of Honor
Journey Series Book 1

Dance under the stars and moon. Ford rivers. Climb mountains. Trade with Native Americans. Heal the sick. Bury the dead. Live with indescribable fatigue, fall in love, celebrate at the end of the trail…

two gold rings on paper

Wedding at Journey’s End
Journey Series Book 1.5

Following several months of clearing land, building homes, and fencing forces Rebecca Pierce and Zachary Miller to postpone their wedding. February, and the promise of spring, becomes the perfect timing for the wedding the new community has been anticipating.

old schoolhouse painting

Journey of  Hope
Journey Series Book 2  

James and Elizabeth Miller and their daughters Katie, Hazel, Helen, and Ruth finish their trek tired, dirty, and grief stricken.  

Wildflowers along a trail
Wildflowers along a trail, at Tom McCall Nature Preserve, Columbia River Gorge, Oregon.

Journey of Healing
Journey Series Book 3 

Aaron Smith was twelve years old when he crossed the country with his parents. He learned to have hope and honor despite the tragedies and uncertainties in the early years of his life. Now, he had to learn how to be a man.     

Read More Here

Why Open Rood?

Open Rood sounds strange, but several years ago my husband and I thought it would be interesting to name any business we started The Open Rood. Why? Because my husband is named Frank Cross; Frank=Open (honest) Cross=Rood (an ancient name for cross). It’s merely a play on words. 

From the Blog:

  • FIRST LOVE: THE BEGINNING

    FIRST LOVE: THE BEGINNING

    I imagine each of us can be transported back in time to memories of our first love regardless of how many years has passed. For me, it’s been more than 50 years. I’m not talking about crushes or the people we “went with” for a class period, a day, a week, or a month. I’m…

    Read More