Whale Hunting

Whale Hunting

Orca in Washington

Want to see the magnificent killer whales?
If you do this is the best trip we found.
Guaranteed to see orca whales on a 70 to 90 mile cruise. It is a completely narrated scenic tour of the San Juan Islands. You will see other sea life as well. They could include Gray, Humpback, and Menki whale, seals and birds.
The 110 foot boat is very quite, so you will have no trouble listening to the narration. It is very educational and interesting, just listening to the history of the islands.
It is a full day trip from 10 am to 5pm, May through September.
The guarantee is solid, they will keep taking you out until you see killer whale.
They have spotters on land, boat and in the air to let the captain know the location of the whales and which way they are headed.
The day we went, it was late in the day by the time they were spotted. We were about to give up hope.
They were close enough to say that you saw them but they were about 150 yards away.
The whales were doing no spy hopping much to our disappointment.
There are rules pertaining to the distance a boat can get to them. A very heavy fine is levied on the Captain, so he takes no risk. After all they are a protected species.
That evening we talked to some people with another tour group that paid more than we did and did not see any killer whales. No guarantee to go again for free either.
We were very glad we chose this company with the guarantee.
Island Mariner Cruises
Bellingham, Washington
1-877-734-8866
Be sure to get a good camera and a Washington map. There are many places to see in the state of Washington



GM Johnson City Street Map: Bellingham, Whatcom

Oregon Aquarium

Oregon Aquarium

One of the Top Ten

Passage of the Deep

Take the adventure through a clear underwater tunnel and you will know how it feels to be completely surrounded by sharks and rays.

The Tunnel Made of Acrylic

Each eight foot section weights over two ton.  The tunnel floors and walls are acrylic 5 inches thick.
The entire system contains 5.3 miles of water pipe and holds over 1.3 million gallons of water.  The only thing separating you from the razor sharp teeth of a shark is the acrylic tunnel.
See the sharks as they swim over your head and below, under your feet.
There are more than 190 native species of marine animals living among the aquariums 6 acres.
Some of the most fascinating are the jelly fish.
There are many different kinds.  As tiny as an eraser on a pencil to the moon jelly.
A floor to ceiling acrylic tank holds the moon jelly fish.  
The jelly fish live very well with no skeleton, no heart and no brain.
Other jelly fish pulsate, drifting aimlessly through the water with tentacles that can grow to 7 feet long.
Plan your visit to last all day.
There is a café to eat in and relax when you get tired.
Open all year.
Oregon Coast Aquarium
Newport Beach, Oregon
www.aquarium.org

Game Park

Game Park

Hand Raised Wildlife

West Coast Game Park

Over 450 animals and birds live there. The Game Park specializes in hand raising them.
Animals with no place else to go are taken here to regain a new life.
Be sure to visit the most popular area, the nursery.
You can hold and pet the babies. They are all hand fed on a bottle.
When we were there we saw a black bear only two months old, a baby Bengal tiger three months old and a tiny black leopard only one month old.
I got to hold a baby white raccoon. White raccoons are very rare. When a white one is born the other raccoons think it is not one of them and kill it.
The only hope for the baby is to be rescued by humans. This baby was pushed out of the nest and found by a forest ranger. It was brought here to be hand fed by the game park.
Another time when we were there I held a baby possum all cuddled down in a fleece hat. Unaware of how lucky he is to be there.
I think the nursery animals are the most interesting part of the game park. Where else are you able to handle the tiny animals.
The nursery is by no means the only part of the park. There are beautiful birds, cats, bears and other animals to be seen and petted.
The children will love it.
Bring a camera and plan on spending some time here. It is a very enjoyable place to visit.
West Coast Game Park
Hwy 101
Bandon, Oregon
http://www.gameparksafari.com/

Patricks Point Park

Patrick’s Point State Park

Trinidad, California

A beautiful forest and meadow, the park is full of natural attractions and trails.
Large rock formations offer a dramatic view of the Pacific Ocean.
Wedding Rock
This is one of the most famous ones.
Many weddings are preformed here, many others have wedding pictures taken at this spot. A beautiful background of the ocean frames the bride and groom.
Others come to the rock formations to watch the migration of the gray whale.
Whale watching near the beach are resident whales who stay here year around. The water is not deep enough for them to jump or spy hop. You can spot them by watching for the water blow or spout.
Agate Beach
This is where semiprecious stones can be found on the sand.
We had never been agate hunting before and were not sure what they looked like. We were told they would be shinny and white or clear looking.
So off we went with my rock bag in hand.
It is quite a climb down to the beach but once there it is worth the climb.
All sea rocks looked like agates to me when they were wet and shinning in the sun.
Just taking the ones that I thought might be an agate, I filled my bag.
Out of my bag of treasures I have one small agate.
I brought them home and put them in a clear glass vase. Every time we look at our agate gems, we smile. That is what memories are made of.
We stayed at the Sounds of the Sea RV Park, every morning we were awakened with the seals barking.
It truly was the sounds of the sea.

The Old West

The Old West

Antelope Live Here

Wyoming is a western state that is still part of the old west.
Still cowboy’s, pickup trucks and apple pie American.
We started out to look for the old west.  Pioneers and trails at South Pass.  
Sacagawea and Indian’s at Lander.
We found all that and something we weren’t even looking for.
Everywhere herds of antelope.  On both sides of the highway. How exciting it was to see so many just roaming free.
The bucks or males have horns that grow to be about 16 inches in length.  The doe, or female sometimes have short little horns.
Most fawns are born the last week of May or the first two weeks in June.
Twins are normal with a mature doe.  
These animals are unique. They are the fastest hoofed animal in the world.  Only the cheetah cat can beat them.  Just hours after they are born the little ones can keep up with the heard.
They raise and lower the hair on their body to control the body temperature and alert others of danger.
The cutest thing I have ever seen was a doe and fawn.  The baby just came up to the mothers knee cap.

Recreational Vehicle

Recreational Vehicle

The Good Life

Modern RV’s have changed the face and the requirements of camping.
No longer do you have to worry about if there will be fresh water nearby or a bathroom.
It will be riding right behind you.
It is a convenient way to travel a long distance or week-end escapes.
There are many options for RV enthusiasts from “boondocks’, pullovers with no hookups to full service RV parks.  RV parks with beautiful grounds, pool and spa, laundry room, club house and ice cream socials.
Nearly every town has at least one RV Park.
You can join the KOA, Good Sam, and other facilities that supply the books, with list of all the RV parks in the states, as well as Mexico and Canada.
There are as many places to park as there are places to go.
Some folks have made RV-ing a full time endeavor.  These avid RV-ers in their big rigs may have given up their homes for the luxury of a mobile apartment that travels with them.
There are many things to think about when purchasing the first RV.  Size and Price are the easy ones.
The most important one is your life style.  RV-ing probably won’t suit you if you enjoy the home body lifestyle.
Next is what do you want to do?   Visit relatives or visit this great country of ours.
It is all up to you to make the right choices.
The thought of not having a home to come home to and obligations keeps us taking shorter trips and more times a year.
It is a fun and educational way to see the country on your own schedule and price range.

Lehman Caves

Lehman Caves

A Living Cave


Great Basin National Park, Nevada

Lehman, a rancher living in the area in 1885 found the cave.  Curiosity and experience as a miner caused him to investigate a mysterious opening near his ranch.
Lehman cave is full of calcite formations, a prime example of a limestone solution cavern.  Seeping water carries drops of dissolved limestone which deposits calcite and other minerals along the walls as it evaporates.
This is a fragile cave. Touching the walls just the oils from your skin will kill the cave over time.
Designated as a National Monument in 1922 it is a protected area.
Tours are conducted; there is a limit of 30 people per tour.  Tours are about every hour.  During the summer the park is very busy and tours could sell out.  Plan ahead.  
The cave is open at 8:30 AM, all but 3 days out of the year.  
You may want to wear a light jacket as it is cool inside the cave.  For sure wear good walking shoes.
Some of the crevice is narrow.  Ladies opt for a camera and leave the big purse behind.
There is a campgrounds near by where RV and tent parking is permitted.
The Great Basin National Park is located 67 miles east of Ely.  Near Baker, Nevada
It’s a family trip.

Devils Tower

Devils Tower

The Legend

The Devils Tower in Wyoming was set aside as a National monument in 1906.
Actually it is the core of a volcano, exposed after millions of years of erosion, brought on by the Belle Fourche River and weather.
The tower is 865 feet of rock, just out there by its self.
The distance of the perimeter is 1 ¼ miles around. The walking trail around it has been paved and there are benches along the way to rest on.  It is a very interesting walk.  Not only the rock formation, to study but the rock climbers.
Rock climbers from all over the world come to climb the tower.
Many Native Americans hold it sacred. A legend goes with the Devils Tower, passed down through time.
One day, an Indian tribe was camped beside the river and seven small girls were playing at a distance from camp.
The region had a large bear population and a bear began to chase the girls.  They ran back toward their village, but the bear was about to catch them.
The girls jumped upon a rock about three feet high and began to pray to the rock, “Rock, take pity on us, Rock save us.” the rock heard the pleas of the young girls and began to elongate itself upwards, pushing them higher and higher out of reach of the bear.  The bear clawed and jumped at the sides of the rock. Breaking its claws and falling to the ground.
The bear continued to jump at the rock until the girls were pushed up into the sky. They are there to this day in a group of seven little stars (the Pleiades). The marks of the bear claws are there yet.
As one looks upon the tower and contemplates it uniqueness, could the legend be true?
This is a unique and educational place to bring the family.
Located in   Northeast Wyoming, near Gillettte, on I-90

Cowboys

Cowboys

Living the good life

Where else but Buffalo, Wyoming would have a cattle drive through the city center?
Bawling cattle, running, all directions, but where they are being herded.
Makes you wonder, about being a cowboy in the old west.
The cattle markets were hundreds of miles away.
Taking as long as a month to get there.
They were not bothered by autos and freeways.  Just dust, bugs, and all kinds of adverse weather.
Long days in the saddle.  The ground for a bed, your saddle for a pillow.  No morning shower.
Long hours and little pay.
Just the same herd of bawling cattle, on the long trail ahead.
Makes me wonder what it would take to be a cowboy.
Think you have what it takes?  

Grizzly Bears

Grizzly Bears:

Yellowstone National Park has one of the last remaining populations of grizzly.  They have been protected here since 1886
Bears gradually became dependent on humans for food.  Harsh winters that killed the game they fed on made them seek other means.
Biscuits, steak scraps, fudge, and ice cream they adapted well to human food.
Begging at the roadside, tourists jammed the roadways to feed them.  People were injured and consequently, some bears had to be killed each year.
A remedy had to be found.  Rangers closed the garbage dumps and taught campers how to store food safely.
These regulations were strictly enforced.  
While difficult at first, the grizzly is once again wild and self-sustaining.

The Grizzly and Wolf Discovery Center

Visitors to the West Yellowstone, Montana area have an opportunity to learn and view grizzly bears.
Grizzly that are unable to live in the wild, have a second chance here.
The center cares for the grizzly’s and displays them in a beautiful enclosure each day.
You will see wild life as you never have before. A close up view of live active grizzly bears interacting with each other.
Films, presentations, expert knowledgeable staff and rangers make this a great experience for the whole family. Don’t forget your camera.
Open all year
You can check it out at www.grizzlydiscoverctr.org

Rodeo Cowboy Up

Rodeo: Cowboy Up

Cody Has One Every Night

The Cody, Wyoming night rodeo holds the distinction of being the only rodeo in the world that has a performance every night.
May-June-July –August
From calf roping to bull riding.  All of the entries are popular with the crowds.
Bull riding has a very high regard.  The most dangerous sport in the world, some say.
A bull rider must perform atop a dangerous horned animal that can weigh as much as a small car.
Rodeo definitely draws a crowd with its danger and excitement.
All the rodeo events are dangerous, all rider are at risk for injury or death, for prize money.  
Animals have their own category.  You have to have good stock to put on a good show. They must be as professional as the cowboy who rides them.
Summer is rodeo season in the west.  There will be no lack of action to be had.
Support an event near you this year.

Being Heart Healthy

Being Heart Healthy

It Could Stop

Everyday you need to do something that makes your heart work harder.  
Not only does exercise strengthen the heart muscle, it causes blood vessels to dilate and expand.
All of this keeps the heart muscle retaining its elasticity.  When the heart muscle becomes rigid and hard, that is when a heart attack strikes.
For cardiovascular benefits, you must increase your pulse rate above its normal range. For the blood vessels to dilate you need to keep your pulse up for awhile.
All exercise can be beneficial; it does not have to be intense.  What it needs is to be is on a regular basis.
Walking is very good.  Costs nothing but your time.

Doin Stuff Exercise

Exercise: Best Kept Secret

When my Doctor said the word EXERCISE, two years ago, I said oh-no-here-we-go-again.
I had been down that road before and could not stay on a program.
Aerobics:
To fast paced for my senior body.
Water aerobics:
I had tried it when I was younger and thought about it again.
After looking at our local Parks and Recreation schedules, I found a pool that sponsored it.
SENIOR WATER AEROBICS:
There were as many teachers as there were days to go. Try them all and pick the one best for you.
Paying can be by day, week, or monthly. It is good to try it for a month to see how it is for you.
Individually designed for you to work as slow or as fast as you need to.
There are men and women there who have all kinds of health problems. Hip and knee replacement, and heart problems to name a few.
Healthy people go there also because they want to stay healthy.
When I returned to the Doctor for my year checkup, he said I was almost where I needed to be. Just a little more exercise.
When I went to see him this year he was happy with my almost perfect results on the triglycerides that had been 395, just two years before.
I signed up for my third year the next day.
It is not a weight loss class; it is a life change, healthy class. Some do lose weight, but all lose inches. That is changing fat for muscle.
Everyone who attends regularly will regain balance, range of motion and health.
Making new friends and having fun while doing it, is secondary.

Slot Canyon

Slot Canyon

Slot canyon, just the name of it is intriguing.  A narrow crevice cut through rock, by water and wind over thousands of years. I had seen pictures and wanted more information.Slot canyon, corkscrew, petrified sand dunes, my imagination ran wild.  Limitations to go to see the canyon just added to the mystery.On Navajo Indian land in Page, Arizona , accessible only with a guide. My choice of tour was Roger Ekis,  Antelope Canyon Tour.  Navajo owned and operated.The month was December.
A Navajo guide, in a jeep, took us to a mysterious spot in the desert.The outside looks like an entrance to a cave.  Once you enter, it is an amazing fantasy world of stone, carved by nature.
The darkness inside makes you stop for a minute so your eyes can adapt. The floor is sand, the canyon walls are solid rock and smooth.  Looking skyward we can see the light filtering through the cervices.Every month is a different color scheme, according to the suns position.  Our palette of color was purple, yellow and orange. This is transmitted by the sunlight filtering down from above and bouncing off the canyon walls.In the summer months the shafts of light, makes, light beams, streaming down from the top, to the canyon floor. The brilliant sun shafts, make the canyon walls different colors.
It is a fragile canyon, only a quarter mile long and one hundred thirty feet deep.
A visual delight that leaves you breathless.If you go: Page, Arizona is on the Utah, Arizona border near Lake Powell, Utah.Roger Ekis Antelope Canyon Tours22 S. Lake Powell Blvd.P.O. Box 936Page, Az.  86040Reservations: 928-645-9102 officeThey have a great web site with pictures.www.antelopecanyon.com

What is Identity Theft?

Identity theft occurs when someone uses your personal information with out your knowledge.
It could be your name, social security number, credit card number or etc.
The Federal Trade Commission announced that for the fourth year in a row, identity theft topped the complaint list.

Avoid Being a Victim

Shred or make unreadable all your financial statements, junk mail with your name and address, and any canceled checks. Shredders are affordable and so handy.
Never reveal anything about yourself in response to an e-mail or phone call from someone you do not know.
Do Not give out your birth date and social security number, unless you must, to Doctors etc,
Identity theft is a serious crime. People who have had their identities stolen can spend years and lots of money getting their names cleared.
If this happens to you, here are three of the credit reporting agencies you can call.
Equifax: 1-800-525-6285
Experian: 1-888-397-3742
Trans Union: 1-800-680-7289

Soldier Remembered

Cedar Breaks, Utah


A Utah soldier was killed in Iraq. It was refreshing to see the tribute to him, by his family.
Cedar Beaks National Monument is near Cedar City, Utah.
Ron and Jody Wood remembered their son in a very special way here.
The Wood’s released a rehabilitated golden eagle and thousands of prayers, into the wind at the Monument.
In honor of their son, Ron Wood Jr. of Cedar City who was killed in July.
The release was to honor all men and women of the US Armed Forces.
God bless all of our soldiers and families of them.
Will you ever be able to see an eagle, that you do not think of this tribute and pause with a word of silence?

Smiles

Smiling is Infectious

You catch it like the flu. When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin.
When he smiled, I realized, I passed it on to him.
I thought about that smile, then realized it’s worth.
A single smile, just like mine, could travel round the earth.
So if you feel a smile begin, don’t leave it undetected.
Let’s start an epidemic, and get the world infected.

Western Movies

Kanab, Utah

Actors like John Wayne, Clint Eastwood, Raquel Welch, Charlton Heston, Gregory Peck, James Stewart and Glen Ford.
See the old movies sets where the films were made.
It is called Frontier Movie Town.
Kanab got its nickname “ Little Hollywood “ by the movies that were filmed here.
Movies like Stagecoach, and Outlaw Josey Wales. Many others as well.
They don’t make western movies like that anymore.
You will find preserved movies sets to look through. Rent an authentic western costume for an old-fashion photograph or video.
Eat lunch or dinner in the spacious room ,where walls are decorated with movie pictures and gear.
Outside old wagons, serve as seats for gun battles and the evening program.
This is a fun place for the whole family.

Frontier Movie Town
297 Circle Street
Kanab, Utah

Gunsmoke Honored

Staring James Arness

September 10, 1955, Gunsmoke became the biggest show of its time, 20 years of it.
We grew up with it. That is where we learned about the old west.
But it was also where values were taught.
Families could watch it together and did so each week.
Kanab, Utah is having a 50 year celebration which runs Aug. 23-28.
Many of the Gunsmoke episodes were filmed in Kanab, so it is fitting the Fest should be happening there.
If you go:
Info: http://www.westernlegendsroundup.com/

Pony Express

Pony Express

An Enduring American Legacy

The Pony Express was delivering correspondences between Missouri and California in 1860.
The fast and dangerous 2000 mile journey took 10 days or less.
A unique system of 150 horses, 80 riders, and 160 remount stations made the system work effectively.
In existence only 19 ½ months the Pony Express carried 34,753 pieces of mail.
Went over enough miles to circle the globe 24 times.
Cost of mailing was very expensive at $ 5.00 for ½ ounce.

Stage Coach

Stage Coach

Think you got it ruff doin stuff ?

Regular Stage Coach Services, mail and passengers, went by stage coach.
Starting in 1858, the 2000 mile trip between Missouri and California took about a month.
Bouncing and rocking day and night across the trails.
Nine passengers rode inside on 3 leather covered benches and another 12 outside on top.
Stops were every 40 or 50 miles providing rest, meals, and a change of horses and driver. Moving west was not easy. Better by stage coach than walking or by wagon and much faster.
A 25 pound load limit for each person, meant that you also had to travel light.

Help Wanted

Help Wanted: Pony Express Rider

Riders wanted:

Young, skinny, wiry fellows, not over 18 years old.
Must be expert riders, willing to risk death daily.
Orphans Preferred
Wage: $ 25 a week

Sacajawea 200 years ago

Much has been said about Sacajawea, the beautiful Indian woman, who helped Lewis and Clark get to Oregon.
If not for her they would have died along the trail from starvation or sickness.
Paying tribute to her now is Salmon, Idaho, the place where she was born.
Salmon Lemhi country.
A beautiful statue with Mother and baby strapped to her back, complements a new information center there.
In her honor the mountain behind her statue bares her name as well.
It was 200 years ago on 8-12-1805 that Lewis and Clark expedition left North Dakota for a trip to the ocean in Oregon.
Lewis and Clark hired a fur trapper as an interpreter and guide, with him came his wife, Sacajawea.
Her knowledge of roots and herbs for food and medicine proved to be invaluable.
Captured at the age of 12 and taken to a Hidasta Indian village in North Dakota, she was still able to locate her homeland in Idaho. Now known as Salmon, Idaho
Her brother now the chief of the Lemhi Shoshone gave her horses and a guide to help the party get over the treacherous Bitterroot mountains.
Sacajawea earned great respect from Lewis and Clark. In all of the journal entries of the Lewis and Clark journals, there are no drawings or pictures of Sacajawea. A beautiful Indian maiden is used in her likeness, in all books, coins, etc.
She died at a very young age in Fort Manuel, South Dakota.

Ride the Palm Springs Tramway

Palm Springs Areil Tramway

Want an uplifting experience? It is the Palm Springs, California Tramway.
Open all year it is one of the most unique adventures you can do. An engineering marvel. The worlds first rotating tramway.
The tram car will hold 80 people and rotates 360 degrees as it desends up to the top of the 8516 foot mountian.
Incredible view of the valley below with 54 miles of hiking trails to explore.
If you are not the adventure type, sit in the restaurant, watch a movie on how it was made or just relax in the mountian air.
It is something to be remembered and talked about for years to come.
For more info: call 1-888-515-tram
http://www.pstramway.com/

Grand Canyon Railway Trip

What a great trip for the family this is.
It has all of the excitement of the old west. Complete with gun fights and train robberies.
Stay at the beautiful Railway Lodge in a pacakge deal, with meals and a train trip to the Grand Canyon National Park.
Each rail car has painstakengly been restored. There are first class, coach and dome.
We rode in the dome, such a great view. It is not for small children however. You don't get the excitement of the train being robbed and Marshal Goodmore saving the day. But then we are not kids either.
For children the only place to be is first or coach cars. Train runs everyday. You can get a packaged deal with lodging,meals and train ride all encluded. That was the better deal for us. I recomend it.
For More information:1-800-843-8724

http://www.grandcanyonrailway.com/

End of the Trail

Oregon City
At long last and what a wonderful relief, was Oregon City, Oregon, the end of the Oregon Trail.
The weary pioneers had covered a total of 2170 miles.
For 25 years as many as 650,000 people may have come here. No accurate records exist of the actual traffic of the era. It is agreed that Oregon was the destination for most travelers. California was a close contender. The remainder went to Utah, Colorado,Idaho, Wyoming and Washington.
This was the last of the so-called migrations.
By 1866 the Union Pacific Railroad Company was formed.
By 1869, an emigrant could travel from Omaha, Nebraska to the Pacific ocean in less than two weeks.

Pioneer Memories

Some of the memories from the pioneers have been recovered. They have been found in journals that loved one have handed down.
Memories
I can just close my eyes and see everything, the endless walking, walking, ever to remain in my memory. I was so tired. As a youngster I cried and hung onto the handcart,just to be pushed away. My parents were to tired to help me.
Memory
One day we came to a section inhabited by rattlesnakes. We would have to jump over them, watching very careful not to step on one.
Memory:
By the time we reached Devils Gate, in Wyoming, we were out of provisions. Many pioneers had died or were dieing. All of the camp was asleep,then suddenly awakened by a noise,we thought it was indians yelling. How great was our surprise, a relief team from Salt lake was bringing food.
Memory:
We could see buffalo as thick as leaves on the trees for miles around. Sometimes they had to be scared with a gunshot to move them off the trail so we could get by.
Memory:
My feet were so swollen from walking I could not wear my shoes. Then when the swelling went down, my feet were so sore from all the alkali I never had on a pair of shoes for the rest of the journey.

Trails leading in all directions

There are many trails that take off and go different directions from the Oregon Trail.
It all began with the Oregon Trail however. The Mormon Trail is one of those.
On April 5, 1847 Mormon Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints, leader Brigham Young headed a train of wagons west.
There were 72 wagons and 148 brave followers to leave on the Mormon Pioneer Trail. Present day Omaha, Nebraska was their winter quarters, they were heading west towards the Great Salt Lake Valley, and an uncertain future.
The Mormons followed the Oregon Trail that so many pioneers had traveled. At the end they would make use of the Hastings Cutoff into the Salt Lake Valley. Their journey across the huge sprawling desert, now Neberska and Wyoming, was a tribute to the determination and organization of the Mormons. The Latter Day Saints were also the first group of emigrants who settled in Utah.
Ultimately, some 70,000 Saints would come to the Salt Lake Valley.
What is refered to as the Mormon Trail is 1297 miles long.
The interesting part of the trails, is the fact that the wheel marks can still be seen today after all of these years. So deep are the ruts that the grass and brush do not cover the wheel marks.

Doin Stuff like the pioneers

So you want to see what it was like to be a pioneer?
Well now is your chance.
Every summer at the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center you can check out a handcart and see for yourself.
Some people bring their church group and others just the family. You can do it either way.
You can go for a few days or a few hours.
Be sure to bring water, and dress for the occasion. It is hot and dry on the trail. What ever you bring you will be pulling in the cart.
A lot of people were in pioneer clothing the day we were, some were not.
The Visitors Center can assist you. Camping arrangements can be made, reservations recommended.

Call Mormon Handcart Visitors Cente
47600 west hwy 220
Alcova, Wyoming
Hours are 8am to 7pm
1-307-328-2953

Doin Educational Stuff

In search of the Old West500,000 pioneers headed west on a 2000- mile journey. Starting at Independence, Mo.
The first ones started the trek in 1843. They traveled the Oregon Trail. Many others used the Oregon Trail to their destinations.
One of these was the Mormon Handcart Company. Between 1840 and 1860 70,000 members came to Salt Lake City, Utah by handcart.
The handcart is a two-wheeled flat bed cart. They are light and easy to pull along,but you still had to walk the nearly 2000 miles.
A load limit had to be made. Seventeen pounds per adult was the limit. One cart per family.
The Mormon Church paid for the members to move west. This expense had to be paid back once they got to Salt Lake City.
One of the worst disasters for the emigrants on the trail occurred between Casper,Wyoming and Devils Gate,Wyoming, the year was 1856.
Two handcart companies traveling late in the season were stranded by a blizzard. Tired,cold and nearly starved to death,of the 800 that started the trip only 150 survived.
The story of this tragedy can be recalled at the Mormon Handcart Visitors Center and Museum.
47600 West Hwy 220Alcova,Wyoming
1-307-328-2953 for more information.
Wyoming handcart trek. A educational experience.

Doin Stuff

What stuff you been doin?
We have just been doin stuff.
Stuff does take a lot of time.
When you have a lot of time for doin stuff, that is great.
Being retired you can be doin stuff more than people who are working, can be doin stuff.
Stuff you can be doin is any stuff.
Just keep doin stuff to keep the boredom away.
Doin stuff keeps you alive.

Doin Stuff

What Stuff you been doin?
Tell us about yourself and what stuff you been doin.

We have been very busy trying to stay ahead of boredum. Traveling around cities in California, Oregon, Idaho, New Mexico, and Utah. We have seen alot along the way. We will be posting pictures and links to usable websites for travel information along with stories about the trips. We are just doin stuff like that for now, until snow flies.