Wednesday in Wyoming - November 28, 2018

In contrast to the rather simple buildings that we saw in the Carter compound last week, this one shows its Victorian origins. What is it? The commanding officer's home at Fort Bridger.

Can't you picture women with parasols strolling the walks and then sitting on the porch to sip lemonade? I can.

There are still many more things to share about Fort Bridger, but we'll take a break for a month or so. What's coming for December? How about Christmas decorations?

A Few of my Favorite Recipes

If you've read my Texas Crossroads books, you know that I enjoy sharing recipes with readers. Over the years, I've also shared recipes on other authors' blogs.  Kathy F suggested that I assemble all of those links in one place, so here they are.

Are you a chocoholic? I certainly am, which is why I love the Almost Healthy Brownies that you see pictured above.
Almost Healthy Brownies

Here's another chocolate favorite. (If you're not fond of mocha, simply eliminate the coffee.) This easy-to-make and refreshing dessert is one that I recommend for those hot days of summer, but if you live in a hot climate, you might enjoy it now.
Frosty Mocha Freeze

We've reached the time of the year where cranberries are easy to find. If you'd like a dessert that's remarkably easy to make as well as being delicious, I recommend Cranberry Torte.

I buy several bags of cranberries each year and freeze them so I can make this dessert year-round.  Oh, all right, I'll admit that I've been known to have a dozen bags of those tart but healthy fruits in the freezer. That's how much I like this and several other dishes that feature fresh cranberries.
Cranberry Torte

Who doesn't like cheesecake, especially when it's a single-serving size? I've been making these mini-cheesecakes for more years than I'm going to admit, but they've never lost their appeal.
Mini Cheesecakes

And, lest you think I eat only dessert, here's a main course recipe to round out today's post.

If you're looking for a cold main dish, you might enjoy my Summer Pasta Salad. I find the pinkish color as refreshing as the salad itself and have been known to take it to potluck meals even in the midst of winter.
Summer Pasta Salad

Bon appetit!

Wednesday in Wyoming - November 21, 2018

One of the most influential men at Fort Bridger during the period the Army occupied it was Judge William Carter. Not only did he serve as the fort's sutler, but in 1860 he was responsible for the establishment of Wyoming's first school.

The teachers he hired from the East were so competent and the education they provided to Carter's children and others from the fort so good that the graduates of the Carter school were allowed to enter eastern colleges without any additional education. Now, that's a good school.

As you can see, there was no consistent architectural style at the Carter compound. The school house is the white building with vertical siding. The stone building attached to it is the milk house. The large dark brown building in the background is the ice house.

Wednesday in Wyoming - November 14, 2018

Last week I told you that Fort Bridger began its life as a trading post, designed to provide supplies to the emigrants traveling the Oregon Trail. Though Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez established it together in 1843, it bore Bridger's name, undoubtedly because he was the more famous of the two. Some refer to Bridger as the Daniel Boone of the Rockies.

I suspect the pioneers traveling the Oregon Trail didn't care about the name. What mattered to them was that the trading post sold vital goods and had a blacksmith shop. At this point in their journey, they needed both.

Wednesday in Wyoming - November 7, 2018

This month we're going to travel to Fort Bridger, which is currently one of the Wyoming Parks. I say "currently," because the site has a number of different identities in its past.

It was founded as a trading post by Mountain Man Jim Bridger, then became part of the Mormon Fort Supply. A few years later, the US Army took control of the site and remained there until 1890. But the story didn't end with the Army's departure. In the 1930s when automobile travel became popular, Fort Bridger was the site of some unique cabins. And now it's a state park. See what I mean about a varied past?

I hope you'll enjoy this month's posts. And, if you were wondering, this picture, showing Fort Bridger as the "historical hub of trade and travel," can be found in the museum.