Three families, with only a few wagons and oxen as possessions, head West on the high desert in 1845, led by a garrulous but evasive tall-tale artist named Stephen Meek (Bruce Greenwood), who may or may not be taking them to a beautiful valley in Oregon.
In a desire to bring his harsh portrayal of unfreedom to a rousing finish, Johnson embarks on a wish-fulfillment romance that makes happiness seem like just another talltale.