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Woke up at 5am this morning and began breaking down camp and getting the truck loaded for the move to Fort Laramie today. Cindy did the inside, and we got hooked up by 6am, so now know it takes us an hour minimum to break camp. With trailer attached, setup the GPS for the journey, not trusting the big GPS, I also brought the trip up on the Road Trippers app. Glad that I did because our Garmin GPS would have had us drive over 50 miles further than needed. So I need to figure out what I am doing wrong with the Garmin, so I can trust the routes it gives. The drive up was nice because of the cool morning temps and light traffic. Could tell when we got into Wyoming, as the roadways were in good shape. The roads throughout Colorado were in terrible shape. Arrived in Fort Laramie around 10am after stopping in Torrington for garlic sausage and other groceries that Cindy thought we might need plus fueling the truck which was an adventure. Small campground here in Fort Laramie with 10 sites, but they could use someone to do some exterior maintenance as the place is overgrown with weeds and such. The place is called "The Chuckwagon RV Park. Linda got in around noon and setup as well. We had some of that wonderful garlic sausage for breakfast and it was yummy. Called Gaylene to see what she has heard about how Debbie is doing, and she said should have a Doctor report tomorrow. Was able to get a hold of Sheila and Brenda, as they are in town to be with U Bob as he passes. Went out to dinner with them and chatted, enjoyed the time completely. Missed Roxy as she had to get back home to her family and work. Hard time for the ladies, as it is so darn hard losing a parent. We are doing the Fort tomorrow and when done will check in with them to see how things are going.
Well today was our touristy day which included going to the old Fort, The bridge over the Platte River, the cemetery to check out mom and dad's headstone, the Oregon Trail ruts, and register Cliff. The fort does not open until 9 AM, which unfortunately means that it has warmed up quite a bit by the time you are able to go visit. Cindy and Linda were able to get their stamps in their passport books, as well as stickers. We also bought our obligatory stamp or rather sticker for the slide. I still feel that Fort Laramie is the best preserved historical fort that we have ever been to.
The fort was actually a lot calmer than normal with the heat or possibly the cost of fuel not as many people are out doing this type of thing. Was able to get quite a few pictures of the old Ford as well as enjoyed walking around and seeing the way that each of the buildings that they allow you to go into as well as looking through the windows, has, so many well set up rooms with period items' setup within them. From full dining room setups on the tables to fully outfitted bedrooms.
For 56 years, the epic story of America's Western expansion played out on a grand scale at a place in eastern Wyoming where the Laramie and North Platte Rivers meet. Here Indians, trappers, traders, missionaries, emigrants, gold seekers, soldiers, cowboys, and homesteaders would each leave their mark on a place that would become famous in the annals of the American West. That place was Fort Laramie.
The first "Fort Laramie", officially named Fort William, was constructed here in 1834. This small, cottonwood-stockaded fort was established to capitalize on the lucrative buffalo roam trade with the Northern Plains Indian tribes.
In 1841 the deteriorating old log fort was replaced by a new larger adobe structure named Fort John. Fort John was destined to become an important way station for thousands of immigrants who traveled the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer trails seeking the promise of gold, land, and religious freedom. Fort John was purchased by the United States government in 1849 for $4000.
Officially named Fort Laramie, the fort grew to become the largest and most important military post on the Northern Plains. Fort Laramie witnessed rapid advances in communications technology as stage lines, the Pony Express, and the transcontinental telegraph passed through there successively.
Fort Laramie hosted several treaty negotiations with Native American tribes, the most famous of which were the Horse Creek Treaty of 1851 and the still controversial 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie.
Fort Laramie served as a base of military operations against the Native peoples of the Great Plains. The tribes fought desperately to defend their homeland against further incursions by an ever expanding nation.
As the Indian Wars came to a close, Fort Laramie's importance diminished. The old post was abandoned and sold at public auction in 1890. Slowly deteriorating over the next 48 years, it nearly succumbed to the ravages of time. Preservation of the site was insured in 1938 when Fort Laramie became part of the National Park System.
Visit the past and hear the voices of the many thousands who passed through Fort Laramie. Walk in the footsteps of larger than life characters of the old west such as Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Jim Bridger, and Kit Carson; Generals Crook, Sherman and Sheridan; and Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane.
For 56 years, the epic story of America's western expansion "Officially Played out on a grand scale at a place in eastern Wyoming, largest and where the Laramie and North Platte rivers meet. Here Indians, Fort Laramie trappers, traders, missionaries, emigrants, gold seekers, soldiers, technology cowboys, and homesteaders would each leave their mark on a transcontinental place that would become famous in the annals of the American West. That place was Fort Laramie.
The first "Fort Laramie," officially named Fort William, was constructed here in 1834. This small, cottonwood-stockaded fort was established to capitalize on the lucrative buffalo robe trade with the Northern Plains Indian tribes.
In 1841 the deteriorating old log fort was replaced by a new larger adobe structure named Fort John. Fort John was destined to become an important way station for thousands of emigrants who traveled the Oregon, California and Mormon Pioneer trails seeking the promise of land, gold, and religious freedom. Fort John was purchased by the United States Government in 1849 for $4000.
"Officially” named Fort Laramie, the fort grew to become the largest and most important military post on the Northern Plains.
Fort Laramie witnessed rapid advances in communications technology as stage lines, the Pony Express, and the transcontinental telegraph passed through successively.
Fort Laramie hosted several treaty negotiations with Native American tribes, the most famous of which were the Horse Creek Treaty of 1851 and the still controversial 1868 Treaty of Fort Laramie. Fort Laramie served as a base of military operations against the native peoples of the Great Plains. The tribes fought desperately to defend their homeland against further incursions by an ever expanding nation.
As the Indian Wars came to a close, Fort Laramie's importance diminished. The old post was abandoned and sold at public auction in 1890. Slowly deteriorating over the next 48 years, it nearly succumbed to the ravages of time. Preservation of the site was ensured in 1938 when Fort Laramie became part of the National Park System.
Visit the past and hear the voices of the many thousands who passed through Fort Laramie. Walk in the footsteps of larger-than-life characters of the old west such as Red Cloud, Spotted Tail, Jim Bridger, and Kit Carson; Generals Crook, Sherman and Sheridan; and Buffalo Bill, Wild Bill Hickok, and Calamity Jane. See Fort Laramie... truly the "crossroads of a nation moving west."
Fort Laramie National Historical Site: Located only 1 1/2 hours north of Cheyenne. WY, and one hour west of Scottsbluff, NE.
There's a lot to see and do while you're visiting Fort Laramie National Historic Site. The park is open year-round. The grounds are open from sunrise to sunset each day. Visitor Center winter hours are 8:00 am to 4:30 daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Summer hours, Memorial Day to Labor Day, are 9:00 am to 7:00 pm
Friday through Sunday, throughout the summer, staff will offer historic weapons demonstrations as staffing permits.
Interpretive programs are offered daily and are approximately 30 minutes long. Check at the Visitor Center for a program schedule. Self-guided audio tours are available year-round.
Cindy and Linda did not do extremely well with the heat, so we had to stop at most of the shaded areas so that they could cool down. It was in the mid-90s so rather warm, but it is summer time.
Also got a lot of pictures of the old iron bridge that was actually built back in the mid-1800s. We were all fascinated with him, and the Platte river was flowing rather high right now, guessing that they are trying to fill McConaughey Reservoir further east of here for irrigation purposes.
After finishing our tour of the old Fort Laramie, we also stopped at the cemetery on the way to the old fort and located mom and dad's headstones, took a picture of it and sent it to Larry, so he could share it with dad.
We stopped at the rigs for lunch and to cool down a little bit prior to going out to see the ruts as well as Register Cliff.
Had a chance to talk with Gaylene and found out that they are going to take Debbie off of the ventilator and allow her to pass peacefully. So now the big question is what and how to deal with Debbie's remains, as the children of hers are showing no interest in having anything to do with it. Will find out at some point what Gaylene Larry and Dad come up with.
After getting back to the rigs here at the RV park, we went over to the little café that is tied in with the RV park and had lunch. For a hometown restaurant, they actually had fairly reasonable prices. The food was decent, but definitely not a five-star restaurant.
After having eaten our lunch, we loaded up in Linda's jeep and headed out to the Register Cliff area to take pics and check that out followed by the Oregon Trail Ruts, all of which are located just outside of Guernsey, Wyoming. Neat places, but it is amazing how much destruction of Register Cliff has happened since I was a kid, with morons putting their names on the cliff and wiping out the historical signatures that used to be there. One had to search rather hard to find an actual signature of folks that went through there and put their name on it in the 1800s.
The Oregon Trail Ruts had also over the last 40 years since I had been there eroded out to the point where you almost couldn't tell that they were from wagons but not just a path leading through the rocks.
Also while we were in Guernsey we checked out the city park which allows RV parking, which looks like a decent place to stay but imagine with all the standing water as well as the golf course that the mosquitoes are probably pretty bad there.
Also checked out Guernsey State Park and found out that you had to pay to just drive around it, so we did not do that. We didn't see any reason to pay to drive around that when the lake has been completely drained, as well as their pricing structure is asinine.
Came back to the trailers and cooled down and watched movies until 6 p.m. at which time we went into Torrington and met up with Brenda and Sheila for supper. Seems Uncle Bob is resting peacefully and has a private room now so that the girls and Pat are able to all be in the room now with Uncle Bob.
Had supper at a place called 307 Diner, which had decent food again as well as adult beverages to go with dinner. Brenda and Sheila's cousin Lenay was there, whom I have not seen since she was about 12 years old. Had a good dinner and enjoyed chatting with the girls again, so I will need to remember these good times of getting to see them.
On our way to Torrington for dinner, Linda was not paying attention to the speed limit signs and got pulled over by the chief of police of Fort Laramie, and fortunately he was very kind to her and only gave her a warning, verbal at that.
After dinner in Torrington, we returned to the trailer and I took Chloe out for her final piddle of the evening, and then it was off to bed to get ready for another day.
Began our day with breakfast at the little cafe here at Chuckwagon RV park. Was able to get a hold of Joyce and setup to go visit tomorrow morning. While at breakfast got Sheila's notification that U Bob had passed this morning at about 9 or so. After breakfast, ran down to the fort, so Linda could purchase the large passport books for her and Diane. Got a hold of Joe n Missy and let them know about U Bob and sister Debbie. Was also able to let Larry n Dad know.
Linda needed fuel in her jeep while we were out, so ran down to Lingle to take care of that. Returned to the park and resting and enjoying the AC.
So we got the name and directions of where to meet Sheila and Brenda in ScottsBluff for dinner. Made the drive there and ordered some beer, Appetizers and had a good time just reminiscing about the past. They both seem to be doing well after uncle Bob's passing this morning. Brenda's good friend Michelle and her husband Chris were there, so we got in a few laughs, said our goodbyes and headed home. Arrived back at the trailer at around 11:30 PM and went to bed.
Today is our last day here in Fort Laramie, so I was happy when I was able to make arrangements to go visit with Joyce and Gaithel. Went over to their place at 10 and got the privilege of meeting their son Travis for the very first time. He has recently left the army and is enjoying time with his folks before he chases down a new job. He is an entomologist as well as having been a captain in the army, so was a very interesting individual to visit with.
Joyce was her usual fun-loving personality, but she is definitely very vocal about her political viewpoints, quite entertaining. Gaithel is still his quiet, soft-spoken but reasoned conversationalist and looks good, but most definitely is showing his age.
They had to leave at noon to get their old pup put down, so we said our goodbyes and came back to the trailer. Got this memoir caught up and will relax till evening, when I will empty holding tanks and fill the fresh water to be ready to hookup in the morning and head for Fort Robinson. Has been a good stay here, but sad to have lost Uncle Bob.
For more details about our adventures click on the links at the top of the page.
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