August 6 - Lexington, NE to De Moines, IA

Continued our trip on the Oregon Trail. We stopped at the historic Ft. Kearny in Nebraska. By 1949, 4,000 wagons had passed the fort mostly on their way to California. This was an example of a blacksmith house with a sod roof.

Next we stopped at the Stuhr Museum of the Prarie Pioneer in Grand Island, Nebraska. This is a restored 1870-1890 railroad town that portrayed Nebraska early settlements. Of course, Peg had to shop in the millinary shop (hats).

It was really interesting to step back in history and experience what life was like on Nebraska plains.

But if we are ever going to get home again, we needed to get back on the road. Drove past a "farm" of windmills along i80 and made it to Des Moines, IA. Tomorrow, we're on to Illinois, Indiana and maybe Ohio.

August 5 - Douglas, WY to Lexington, NE

I'm going to see if I can post from my phone again. Left Douglas, WY. Stopped in Guernsey to view a piece of the past...the Oregon Trail.  We saw the ruts where the settler's wagons drove heading for the West. These ruts were 5' deep through sandstone. We also saw the Register Cliffs where settlers carved their names and dates as they went on their way west.

Next we stopped at Fort Larmie. the military post, was founded in 1849 when the army purchased the old Fort John for $4000, and began to build a military outpost along the Oregon Trail. For many years, the Plains Indians and the travelers along the Oregon Trail had coexisted peacefuly. As the numbers of emigrants increased, however, tensions between the two cultures began to develop. To help insure the safety of the travelers, Congress approved the establishment of forts along the Oregon Trail and a special regiment of Mounted Riflemen to man them. Fort Laramie was the second of these forts to be established. We walked around the many buildings that have been restored and some that are in ruin. At one time there were over 700 military men along with some wives and laundresses.

We recommend that when you plan to be in Wyoming you save time to visit both of these sites. We really enjoyed reading about the past and seeing some of the evidence.

After that stop we continued on our way and stopped in Lexington, NE for the night. As we were coming back from dinner, I took this beautiful western sunset.