The START of the OREGON TRAIL…yes, this is the ACTUAL DIRT TRAIL BEHIND US where 250,000 PIONEERS TRAVELED!!!!
On our road trip across North America...So, which path would you choose??…California Trail, Oregon Trail or Mormon Trail to Salt Lake City? In Scottsbluff, Nebraska, this was the start of the THREE most popular traveled trails to the WEST coming from Missouri!
The natural Gateway to the West! Scotts Bluff Monument - Right mountain of rock!
Entering Scottsbluff National Monument!
250,000 Pioneers set out for 2,000 miles! They would WALK 10-15 miles a day. Yes, walk and one would ride to guide the Covered Wagon. (Picture of Scotts Bluff - Named after a pioneer Scott who died there near the bluffs)
The path still cut today from all the traffic!!
The Pioneers were so use to flat lands that when they saw these massive BLUFFS, they felt accomplished! 1/3 of their journey was now finished!
A trade post was setup here for any tools and food along with Fort Mitchell with military to protect the White Man from the Indians...who never caused problems, but tried to still help the pioneers with directions and medicines after we still sent them to reservations!
Some families became “Go Backers” because it was too hard, or they got to where they wanted and didn’t like it…needless to say, it happened!
As the Oregon Trail became more popular, Stagecoaches and Freight Wagons joined the pioneers and it was interesting to share the same path with “trains” going both ways at times. Then throw in the Pony Express and boy it could get busy in spots!
A panoramic looking EAST where they traveled from!
For a typical covered wagon, it would take 8-10 Oxen to pull. Children were allowed to bring ONE toy. Only the necessities were brought which consisted of medicine, soap and laundry scrub, kettles, cooking supplies, tools, and oils for the hubs of the wheels to name a few. Many over packed and soon left items along the trail because the load was too heavy.
Roadside plants and vegetation!
On the Scotts Bluff Mountain lookout!
It was such a risk these pioneers went through...Thanks for John Fremont and Kit Carson who found the less treacherous path and tracked it across the Rockies for the pioneers who shaped the West!
Want to see our PREVIOUS POST on THE LARGEST SCULPTURE IN THE WORLD-https://steemit.com/art/@soulsavers/just-maybe-the-worlds-largest-sculptor-a-visit-to-crazy-horse-in-south-dakota
Stay tuned for more of our North America ROAD TRIP Adventures!!
That looks like so much fun! Get a drone and shoot some aerials. It would be amazing!
Thats a GREAT idea, i'll have to look into doing that!