What do you love about Wyoming? (Casper, Gillette: school, university, income)

[WyattE]

HighlandLady, I'm currently reading a book on the Oregon Trail and I'm in love with the history of it and the stories I'm reading. And you hiked the trail ! ! ! ! ! That is freakin' AWESOME! I would LOVE to do that some day! Wyoming has so much history and whenever I visit I feel that history is still present to an extent. Do you have any pictures you could share with me? Wow! I'm envious of you!

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by WyattE

HighlandLady, I'm currently reading a book on the Oregon Trail and I'm in love with the history of it and the stories I'm reading. And you hiked the trail ! ! ! ! ! That is freakin' AWESOME! I would LOVE to do that some day! Wyoming has so much history and whenever I visit I feel that history is still present to an extent. Do you have any pictures you could share with me? Wow! I'm envious of you!

The question is - Do you have enough space on your hard drive???? Yes, I have photos...I will post some in a little while on the Wyoming photo thread, if that is suitable.

If you do plan on hiking the Trail - do it sooner rather than later. Erosion is damaging some areas, then there are a few people who have ripped up parts as well. Then again, there are new segments, i.e. cutoffs, etc that are discovered now and again.

[WyattE]

I would love to see your photos!

[Clay Lady]

Highlandlady, I would like to know how to locate the path of the Oregon Trail across Wyoming and the Native American trails. It would be so interesting for you to share more about this subject.

I was curious about the history of Wyoming myself and (as a woman) pleased to learn that Wyoming was the first territory to give women the right to vote and hold elective office. Also the first female governor in the US was Nellie Ross the governor Wyoming in 1924. Here I thought Wyoming was a guy state!!

[ElkHunter]

Yeah, think about it. We even have "Crazy Woman Creek".

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

Highlandlady, I would like to know how to locate the path of the Oregon Trail across Wyoming and the Native American trails. It would be so interesting for you to share more about this subject.

I was curious about the history of Wyoming myself and (as a woman) pleased to learn that Wyoming was the first territory to give women the right to vote and hold elective office. Also the first female governor in the US was Nellie Ross the governor Wyoming in 1924. Here I thought Wyoming was a guy state!!

The State of Wyoming has taken steps to mark ruts along the route. One has to look for either white stakes, wooden stakes, or concrete posts. The white stakes are most common now. They were not there when I began my journey...it certainly would've been a great help!!

The auto-tour route of the Trail across Wyoming is very good, highlighting the more popular stops along the way. If you want to explore the route closer, I highly suggest purchasing two books - they essentially became my bibles. They are both written by Gregory Franzwa...his Maps of the Oregon Trail and The Oregon Trail Revisited. I could not have made the trek without his work. There are a few things to keep in mind...some of the Trail does cross onto private land. Most land owners I've met are very eager to help, but there are a few that take some convincing. Also, there are some areas - the Parting of the Ways for instance, that are located out in some fairly desolate areas and common courtesy is a MUST even when permission isn't required. If you come across a closed gate, close it behind you...if it is open, leave it open, that sort of thing.

I've tried to find a couple of maps online, but there aren't that many to choose from. Essentially, the trail follows Hwy 26 entering Wyoming from Nebraska...to I-25 running through Casper to Hwy 220 leading to Muddy Gap...to Hwy 287 to Hwy 28...then it pretty much follows I-80 through the rest of the state. There are many cut-offs as well. The Mormon Trail and California Trail pretty much join with the Oregon Trail through most of Wyoming.

As far as the Native American trails...the one I hiked was through Weston County in the NE section of the state, running North to South. And there are segments visible from Hwy 450 and Hwy 116, but the landowners are not fond of anyone traipsing across their land.

Here is a link to the BLM site where you can access a virtual tour and other information - it is very informative and if you do decide to explore further, BLM employees are very helpful in getting you started.

If you'd like to know more, please feel free to ask! I am not an expert, but this is one of my many passions.

BLM Wyoming

Here is a basic map for an auto-tour:



Here is another map - it is rather large, but still very small to read.

[WyattE]

HighlandLady, did you feel any type of emotion while walking the trail and your discoveries? I would feel sadness for what was endured but also Hope for what the travelers accomplished. I probably would feel that magical presence and also experience something like a dream but it was real. Like our past History is something we read about and try to visualize it but to actually be present on the actual site it happened is an experience like no other I'm sure. I bet it was incredible. I hope our country's history is kept alive regardless of the progression of houses, businesses, and more people. Our past history deserves to be left untouched so that future generations can experience the past. Are there many young adults these days who actually care about it though? My answer is No. I just hope future generations don't forget what happened and how our country came to be.

[Clay Lady]

Originally Posted by WyattE

Our past history deserves to be left untouched so that future generations can experience the past. Are there many young adults these days who actually care about it though? My answer is No. I just hope future generations don't forget what happened and how our country came to be.

People can't possible care about things they know nothing about. It takes people sharing information to develop an interest. Our schools would greatly benefit from people sharing their knowledge/stories with students. This would bring an add dimension to their education.

I know when I come into a classroom with an art project that teaches something from the curriculum, the students love it and their test scores go up because of their added interest. School can be very boring.

Highlandlady, thank you so much for your information. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by WyattE

HighlandLady, did you feel any type of emotion while walking the trail and your discoveries? I would feel sadness for what was endured but also Hope for what the travelers accomplished. I probably would feel that magical presence and also experience something like a dream but it was real. Like our past History is something we read about and try to visualize it but to actually be present on the actual site it happened is an experience like no other I'm sure. I bet it was incredible. I hope our country's history is kept alive regardless of the progression of houses, businesses, and more people. Our past history deserves to be left untouched so that future generations can experience the past. Are there many young adults these days who actually care about it though? My answer is No. I just hope future generations don't forget what happened and how our country came to be.

There were times on the Trail, in some of the more desolate regions, that I felt I wasn't alone. Gravesites had an eerie feel about them...but remember, there are but a few that are marked, many are not and there were many buried right on the trail in the hopes of protecting the person from wild animals. In some areas, nothing has really changed...the views, the land, are the same as when they were first traveled. Then some areas (essentially where the Trail runs through towns or through areas of 'progress') one finds it very difficult to picture anything at all.

I was 16 when I first began my trek. I spent weekends, a week...whatever time I could find away from schooling and such, researching and taking my first steps on the Trail. I broke it up into segments each summer. There were some landowners who viewed me with much suspicion - and rightfully so...many areas have been vandalized (one can see this vividly in areas where signatures were left). One gent had a difficult time believing someone my age was actually sincere with the wish to do something such as this.

I struggle at times with the sense of progress. There is an area outside of Casper, WY that has miles of ruts and would've had more if an oil company in the 70's didn't come through and merrily tear up miles more of it. If one thinks on it, without the Oregon Trail and the pioneers that followed it, the West would not have been opened up. I am for preserving the Trails that remain. I've been told I am unrealistic. Perhaps so, perhaps no...but how much must be sacrificed for 'progress' before it is all gone? No one has that answer.

Because of this, there are many areas of History here that are closed off from the public. The ghost town of Cambria outside of Newcastle is an example. One has to obtain permission that isn't often given to see any of it...the town site and the cemetery have been heavily vandalized over the years and it is a shame that most will only read about it in books, online, or from the historical marker a few miles from it.

[HighlandLady]

Originally Posted by Clay Lady

People can't possible care about things they know nothing about. It takes people sharing information to develop an interest. Our schools would greatly benefit from people sharing their knowledge/stories with students. This would bring an add dimension to their education.

I know when I come into a classroom with an art project that teaches something from the curriculum, the students love it and their test scores go up because of their added interest. School can be very boring.

Highlandlady, thank you so much for your information. I look forward to hearing more from you in the future.

You are quite right, Clay Lady. Ironically, the schools I've attended here (I have moved a considerable amount in my life) didn't touch on the Oregon Trail at all - until I was a Junior in High School. My son had a small presentation to make in the 4th or 5th grade that touched on this, a couple of days were all that was spent on studying the Trails. He volunteered me to give a presentation, I was honoured to do so...plethoras of photo albums and such in hand. There were some children who were so eager to view and listen...and others who were not, including the teacher. Now my son is of an age where he grumbles whenever we go off on a drive because he knows I will be searching for anything historical...but he does respect it and
goes along anyway. He doesn't have the obsession , but he does have the respect and that is something that I think can be instilled in children's minds.

Thank you for allowing me to share some of this!