ELDON — Reading a history book about the hazards of the Mormon Trail is a lot different from chasing an out-of-control covered wagon across the Wapello County Fairgrounds.

Wagon Master Danny Van Fleet, 58, has raised and trained horses most of his life. He and around 60 riders pulled into Eldon on Friday along River Road. Covered wagons, jitneys and other horse-drawn wagons made a 12 mile trek from Douds. It’s part of their overall, 30-day “trek” from Nauvoo, Ill., 341 miles to Winter Quarters, Neb.

Next year, they’ll start in Nebraska and continue eastward for another 30 days. Doing it that way, said Van Fleet, it will take about four years to get to Salt Lake City.

“This group of people will form friendships. We’ll keep in touch the rest of our lives.”

For example, Van Fleet met Bloomfield resident Leon Wilkinson on his last wagon train of the Mormon Trail, and said when Wilkinson isn’t around to handle logistics, Van Fleet feels overwhelmed.

“I enjoy meeting different people, and you do [that] with horses,” said Gary Blaylock of North English.

Love of horses and of people is part of Van Fleet’s motivation, too.

“[I like] watching the people who have never done this feeling the spirit of the trail,” said Van Fleet.

He and another group, some of whom were with him Friday, have previously made the entire 1,300 mile trek.

“Nobody’s done [that] since we rode 10 years ago,” he claimed. “It was the greatest thing I’ve done in my life.”

History, horses and people drew him to the trek, not religion, he said.

“Ten years ago, I was Catholic. When I started [the trip], it was not to change religions. That was the furthest thing from my mind. Right after the trek, I was baptized [into the church of] the Latter Day Saints. They have good family ties. It was a good fit for me.”

“It’s a nice and fun, relaxing vacation,” said Kristen Brenneman, one of about 20 people on the ride from Spanish Fork, Utah.

The Utah youngsters in her wagon shouted her down, laughing and saying it’s relaxing for her only because she doesn’t have to drive a team, hitch up wagons or harness the horses.

She admits she’s more of a passenger.