Wednesday in Wyoming - November 27, 2019

For me, these wagon ruts are among the most memorable sights along the Oregon Trail. Can you imagine how many wagons must have traveled this route to carve ruts that deep? While it's true that limestone is a relatively soft rock, it's still rock.

Amazing!

The ruts are now preserved as a Wyoming state historic site.

Wednesday in Wyoming - November 20, 2019

One of the major landmarks on the Oregon Trail was Laramie Peak. Although it's not the highest mountain in Wyoming, it is the highest peak in the Laramie Range and is high enough to be seen from up to 100 miles away.

As beautiful as the mountain is, it probably filled pioneers with at least a bit of dread, since it signaled the most difficult part of the journey.

If you'd like to learn more about Laramie Peak, Wikipedia has an article.

While I was searching for information about the peak, I discovered that it's a popular climbing spot. So, if you're a climber and are coming to Wyoming, here's that link. I plan to stay on level ground.

Wednesday in Wyoming - November 13, 2019

One of the major stops on the Oregon Trail was Fort Laramie. It was here that pioneers could purchase supplies for the next part of the journey -- the most challenging part, because it involved mountains. They could also have their wagons repaired, do laundry, and -- perhaps most importantly -- rest for a day or two before continuing.

The picture above shows modern day Fort Laramie, with a number of restored buildings, including the sutler's store, which is the one-story building on the far right. It was here that pioneers would shop for whatever they needed.

As you can see, the interior of the sutler's store was filled with goods that pioneers as well as soldiers might need. Everything from saddles to teakettles to blankets and, of course, food, could be purchased here.

To learn more about Fort Laramie, click here.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 6, 2019

This month, in honor of the fact that Barbour Books has reissued The Oregon Trail Romance Collection, which includes my novella, The Sagebrush Bride, in a bargain print edition, I'm featuring scenes along the Oregon Trail.

As I drive in air-conditioned or heated comfort along reasonably smooth roads with speed limits as high as 80 mph, I marvel at all that the pioneers endured on their journey west. Many of them walked next to their wagons, facing blistering heat, hail storms, possible snake bites - so many hazards. But they persisted, taking comfort from milestones along the way.

One of those milestones was Chimney Rock, which is now a National Historic Site in Nebraska. (That's why this week's post is Wednesday NEAR Wyoming.) For more information about Chimney Rock, you might enjoy this link.