Sharp's Travels

We were on the road by 9am. Our first stop was the Oregon Trail Ruts State Historic Site in Guernsey, NB. It boosts of some of the deepest, most photographed wagon ruts of the overland trails. Here thousands of iron-shad wheels and hooves chewed tracks 5 to 6 ft deep in solid rock. Hard to believe the wheels could wear into rock like that.

We left Hwy 26 and traveled Interstate 25 on into Casper, WY.

We saw a number of herds of antelope grazing on the plains and hills along the highway. Gay stopped and took a few pictures. We also saw a deer surrounded by geese grazing by the river. There are working oil wells out in the fields along HWY 26. Another site was a prairie dog village. We got a glimpse of a couple of prairie dogs poking their heads out of their holes.

We got to the National Historic Trails Center at Casper by noon. We went into the fifth wheel for a quick sandwich before taking the tour. When we entered we watched an 18 min. media presentation of the early pioneers, Indians, trappers and pony express riders. We then made our way around the museum and even got to ride in a simulated covered wagon crossing the river and had a stagecoach ride. It made you feel like you were back in the 1800’s. We spent about 2 hours there.

As we traveled to our next destination, we saw snowdrifts about 100 yards of the highway. 80 degrees and snow!

We stopped at Independence Rock at Alcova, WY. It is the most noted landmark of the wagon trails west of Fort Laramie. Thousands of emigrants camped at the foot of this rock and many carved their names in the granite.

About 5 miles on down the road we stopped at Devil’s Gate. It is a deep cleft cut through the rock ridge by the Sweetwater River. People are puzzled as to why the river went through the rock instead of around it. It was an interesting site.

We arrived at our campground outside of Lander, WY at 5:30pm. Fixed supper and watched a little TV before turning in.

We are late getting this blog in as we don't have a signal where we are staying, had to go into town to up load. We have pictures to upload when we get to a place with more signal.