Hitting the Trail

June 20, 2018

We woke up and loaded the wagon, I mean camper.  It was time to leave Colorado and head into the open plains of Wyoming and South Dakota.  We had a rough idea of where the day would take us, but as usual, the reality of a thing is different than the planning of it.

Today's drive was not particularly long, so we took time to stop and smell the...um, prairie grass?  Back home when we were dreaming up this trip, days like this were what Rob and I both wanted.  To make the journey part of the destination.  First, we entered Wyoming, which is beautiful with mysterious buttes, longhorn cattle, and waving buffalo grass as far as the eye can see. 

Rob loves a panoramic picture. He wanted me to take one while we were driving. This is the result.

Time after time on this trip I asked myself, how was that made?

Mommy, can I eat this kind of grass?

Little Girl and the Prairie.

I think I've mentioned this before, but prior to this trip, Rob and I both read books where the Oregon Trail played a prominent part.  So we are both interested in this period of American history.  It just has so much "scope for imagination" to think about the mass migration of people west.  Risking everything, including their lives, for the American dream.  When we realized we would be crossing the trail and coming close to Fort Laramie, we knew we had to add a stop! 

Our first stop was the Guernsey Ruts.  Uh, what?  Yes, we stopped to see some ruts.  Why, you ask?  Because here in Wyoming so many people crossed that they wore ruts into the rock.  Just close your eyes and imagine all the creaking wagons in a line.  The people, hot, tired, hungry, alert for natives.  We didn't just stop to see some ruts, we took our kids and stood in history.

Here, close to Fort Laramie, it was not just the Oregon Trail, but also the Mormon Trail and the California Trail.

Can you see the slope of this hill? The pioneers were brave and strong people.

In some places the ruts were almost 1 Ryan deep.

After I was done, I took the kids on a short hike while Rob explored the ruts alone.  We also had Griffey with us.  I felt a jerk on the leash and Griffey, our mild mannered dog, was eating a mouse.  The mouse was also still moving.  EWWWWW!  I yelled for Rob and jerked Griffey until he dropped it.  Poor mousey, may he rest in peace.  And this is why I don't get out in nature much!

We drove a little while to Fort Laramie, which was a trading post for people on the trail.  Since it plays a role in both the books we read, we were keen to see it.  Plus, what kid doesn't love an old fort?

Isn't that sky amazing?

In 1868, the Sioux signed a treaty known as the Treaty of Fort Laramie. The teepees were part of the display explaining the treaty.

Commander's quarters.

This is the Platte River, which all the pioneers had to ford. It was really cool to see.

For some reason, Ryan thinks he needs to mime a lasso every time he is on something.

So glad we aren't crossing in this rig.

Fort Laramie barracks.

Inside the barracks.

When we were done exploring the fort we continued on to South Dakota and arrived at our campground just in time to make camp and dinner.

They really should warn you that these things are coming up. Not once did we see them in time enough to slow down.

Cool turn off, nope, didn't see it in time.

A premonition of the weather for the next few days.

A well deserved Bavarian style wheat ale.