This article features original text passages from the primary source, "Diary of Judge A. N. Ferguson engaged as Civil Engineer with a U.P.R.R. [Union Pacific Rail Road] Surveying Party April 25, 1868 to May 10, 1869." Creative ideas for discussion are provided about topics such as weather, and the dangers the survey team endured as they completed their project. What sort of clothing did they wear? Other thought provoking questions about such things as the tools used by the survey team, and placing the survey team's progress on a map are also explored.