THE NEW EXTREME SPORT----UNICYCLING

Moab, a southeastern Utah town is known as the mountain bike capital of the world, but unicycles are fast ruling the slickrock country.

It a new extreme sport, unicyclist's do jumps and spins, anything that a skate boarder can do a unicycle can do.

more than 170 MUni riders rolled into Moab for the 7th annual MUni riders festival this weekend.

Mountain bikers and drivers stopped to watch in awe as the riders negotiated the steep inclines and difficult ledges on the practice loop of the Slickrock Bike Trail.

The group will also ride sections of the 15-mile Porcupine Rim Trail, a feat that would test even the strongest of leg muscles throughout the day-long ride.

With unicycles it is a constant challenge to stay in your center of gravity. You are constantly working on it.

Mastering the MUni requires balance, patience, and a touch of fearlessness.  The cycle has no gears and no brakes, forcing the rider to pedal continually, weaving and sometimes making the cycle hop to traverse short ledges and rocks.

Once considered an oddity mountain unicycling has gained in popularity and prestige in recent years.

Festivals and competitive events now are held around the world.

 

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HOOVER DAM

Straddling the Nevada/Arizona state border, the construction of the hydroelectric power plant is one of the outstanding engineering feats of the century.
In the beginning it was constructed during the Great Depression. The Black Canyon was selected as the best site because of the narrow and sheer rock walls of more than 800 feet.
Finding men eager to do the backbreaking and very dangerous work was no problem. In May of 1932 work was started on this concrete marvel. Taking two years of pouring concrete day and night, when it was finished more than 3.25 million cubic yards of concrete were in place.
Cost for that part was $49 million, the largest construction contract let by the federal government up to that time.
Hoover Dam only took four and a half years to complete. The overall cost including the dam, power plant and all related structures was $165 million.
The multi-purpose dam was built to harness the Colorado River. Accomplishing this meant they would have flood control, irrigation, water storage and power. With the Arizona/ Nevada borders running down the middle of the Colorado River, each state has a set of turbines inside the base structure. The water passes through these turbines generating low-cost hydroelectric power for both states. They sell power to California which uses a lot of the power generated at Hoover Dam.
The arch-gravity structure is more than 726 feet form bedrock and is 600 feet thick, at the base 45 feet wide at the top, to crest 1244 feet across the canyon, rim to rim.
Lake Mead
The back water of the dam is 495 feet deep and makes a man-made lake called Lake Mead. It extends more than 110 miles upstream. It is one of the most popular recreation areas, with a year-a-round season. Nearly 10-million visitors come form all over the world to play here each year.
Hoover Dam is the third most popular tourist attractions in the United States.
There is a multilevel parking garage tucked into the upper rocks of the canyon wall on the Nevada side. This will cost you but you can park free on the Arizona side and walk across.
There is a visitor’s center with audiovisual programs on the construction. Also tours for an additional charge.
Desert Princess
With 550 miles of shore line it is the perfect spot to have a Mississippi River style paddlewheel boat. The Desert Princess is a 3 level paddlewheel with 2 floors that are climate controlled enclosed decks and an open promenade deck for picture taking and outside enjoyment. Cursing the sparkling waters with breakfast, mid-day, dinner, and dinner/dancing cruses.
Just 30 miles South of LasVegas, Nevada.
Reservations are recommended for the Desert Princess or the other smaller Desert Princess also. Desert Princess is a three level paddlewheel, 2 floors are climate controlled enclosed decks and an open promenade dick for picture taking.
Listen to fascinating stories of the construction of Hoover Dam, the Colorado River and The Grand Canyon.


Rand McNally Folded Map: Henderson, Boulder City

Shiprock New Mexico

About 90 miles north of Gallup, within the Navajo Indian Reservation, towers Shiprock. 

This isolated rock formation resembles a huge ship under sail.

It looks so out of place on the desert.

This Shiprock has served as a landmark for both Indians and White men for centuries.

It is like a beacon in the desert and can be seen for miles. Keeping  travelers on the right trail.

Near the town of the same name, just north west is the only point in the United States where four state corners meet.

It is called the Four Corners.

The states that connect are Utah,Colorado, New Mexico, and Arizona.

At the Four Corner there is a monument where you could set on the corner markers and be in all four states at the same time.

 

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A ROMANTIC SYMBOL

If you want to see the romantic symbol of the American West-wild horses-Wyoming is the right state to do so.
Wyoming is not the largest populated state for them, Nevada is, Wyoming being the second largest. Vast deserts and unpopulated area’s make this a great state for wild horses.
Wild horses, part of the mystique of the Old West, are different from the domestic horse.
Mostly due to how they are bred. The domestic horses are line bred, to either be a quarter horse or a through bred in order to get certain characteristics of a particular breed.
Wild horses are bred through natural selection for survival. The traits that they have are the traits they need to survive out in the remote countryside.
Their legs and feet are usually bigger, thicker, and heavier than the domestic horses. If wild horses had thin spindly legs and thin feet, they would not survive very long. A broken bone would mean certain death. The rugged places that they live would not be suitable unless they were sturdy stock.
Wild horses have a lot of stamina and normally a little bit smaller than horses you see in the pastures.
Because of the 20% population growth in wild horses every year, the Government has set appropriate management levels for each area.
Every state with wild horses is required to round up and sell off all they can at an Adopt-A-Horse sale. That is how a lot of them get sold to meat packing plants for overseas meat markets.
The wild horses need a lot of room to roam and their range is about 20 to 30 miles per herd.
When looking for wild horses they are hard to see. They stay well away from where any people are.
There are still a few herds of Spanish Ancestry. There are a few of these original Spanish-type horses in southern Utah. When you see these beautiful horses you will know if they are wild or not. The wild horses have a different statute than the domestic. Always on guard, sniffing the wind, the stallion will round up the mares and colts defending them till death.
They are beautiful to watch but it is rare that you see any; if you do it is a rare treat. You should just stop and watch them before they are all gone.
We saw a small herd in the Mesa Verde, Colorado area last fall.

DON'T JUST SEE IT, EXPERIENCE IT

We enjoy the museums, so we go to a lot of them. It is surprising that they each have something different to offer.
We found one that is so large it is a trial of endurance.
It is in Cody, Wyoming
Buffalo Bill Historical Center
This is Old West as it once was. A four part collection, of an outstanding display of western American artifacts.
From just a modest museum in a log building, to maturing into the finest museum in the country.
The Buffalo Bill Museum
This is a vast collection of personal and historic memorabilia of William F. Cody.
Guns, saddles, clothing, posters, and many other displays to numerous to mention.
The William Galley
Featuring original paintings and sculptures documenting in art, the reality of beauty of the Old West.
Paintings by many famous artists like Russell, Moran, and Remington. There are many more fine artists as well.
The Plains Indian Museum.
Displaying Native American material used by the Sioux, Cheyenne, Shoshone, Crow, Arapahoe, and Blackfoot.
Weapons tools, clothing and many many other articles of interest.
You may get there when the Indians are doing there display of dancing. It is truly beautiful. All of the colorful head dresses with leather and beaded clothing.
Cody Firearms Museum.
Firearms of all types, countries, manufactures, and periods of history containing more than 3500 pieces.
There are more guns than you have ever seen before.
Don’t make the same mistake we did. We thought you could see the entire museum in one day. It is just too huge to see everything and enjoy all that is there, by doing it that way.
Your ticket is good for two days and that is how it should be viewed.
It is a great place to spend a lot of time, with many exhibits for the children as well.
While in Cody plan to go on the Cody City Tour. It is fun and Cody has a very colorful past.
Take time to explore the Old Trail Town just outside of Cody. There are 25 historic buildings from Wyoming’s Frontier days. Some still have the bullet holes in the wall where disputes were settled.


DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer: Wyoming

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 of starvation and sickness.
Paying tribute to her now is the place where she was born, Salmon, Idaho.
Salmon, Idaho Lemhi Shoshone country. A beautiful statue with Mother and baby strapped on her back complements a new information center there. In her honor the mountains behind her statue also bares her name.
It was 200 years ago on Aug. 12 1805 that Lewis and Clark expedition left North Dakota for the trip to the Oregon Ocean.
Lewis and Clark hired her husband as a guide and interpreter; he took her along to help him. Her knowledge of roots and herbs for medicine and food was invaluable.
Captured at the age of 12 and taken to a hunting village of the Hidatsa Indians in North Dakota, she was still able to find her homeland of Idaho. Her brother now the chief of the Lemhi Shoshone loaned them horses and a guide to help them over the treacherous Bitterroot Mountains.
Sacajawea earned great respect with Lewis and Clark. In all of the writings of the explorers, there are no drawings, or pictures of Sacajawea. A picture of a beautiful young maiden is used in her likeness.
She died at a very young age in Fort Manuel, South Dakota.
Two different stories surround the death of Sacajawea, the only woman to accompany the Corps of Discovery.
While some say she died at an old age in Wyoming, many historians believe she died at Fort Manuel in present-day South Dakota.
Sacajawea untimely death of a putrid fever came just six years after the expedition ended. She was only 25 years old.

SACAJAWEA OR SACAGAWEA

Which is the correct spelling of her name?
Such an important person to all mankind and the name is spelled differently by who ever you talk to.
According to her husband Toussaint Charbonneau, her name meant bird woman.
She was captured in Idaho at the age of 12 and brought to the Hidatsa people, then sold to him when she was 14 or 15. Could Charbonneau or the Hidatsa people have missed spelled her name?
Sacajawea could not spell so she would not have known which way it was spelled.
Western States spell her name Sacajawea which means boat launcher.
In Clark’s journal entry dated, April 7, 1805, he rendered her name as Sah-kah-gar-wea. Other say he used the g instead of j when he wrote about her.
I believe her name to be spelled Sacajawea because she was born to the Idaho Shoshone tribe.
The most popular spelling for what ever reason is Sacagawea.
We owe it to the most famous Indian heroine to at least spell her name correctly.
Sacajawea’s story will change depending upon the account you are reading, the part of the country you’re in and what the author of the story believes.
The minted US dollar coin also spells her name Sacagawea, when it was minted; they went with the most common usage.
So much mystery surrounds this woman, what is the correct spelling of her name? Were did she die? Where is she buried?
Seem everyone wants a piece of her.

SACAJAWEA STORY

At the age of 12 Sacajawea was stolen from her Idaho homeland and taken to North Dakota. There she lived with the Hidatsa Indian tribes.
They called her bird woman or Sacagawea.
Sacagawea was enslaved by the different Indian tribes until she was sold to Toussaint Charbonneau a French-Canadian fur trapper.
He moved her to Fort Mandan where she became another one of his wives.
Lewis and Clark just happened to be staying there also. Once the winter had passed, Lewis and Clark hired Charbonneau as a guide, due to his knowledge of the area from trapping around there.
Sacagawea, at the age of 15, was a new Mother to a boy named Jean Baptiste.
She was brought along because of her ability to speak several languages.
With her presence on the expedition, it would appear that Lewis and Clark was on a peaceful mission. So with baby strapped to her back off the explorers went.
Sacagawea proved to be a major asset to the expedition in its encounters with finding food, herbs for medicine and encounters with different people along the way.
She led them back to her native homeland of Idaho, now known as the Salmon area.
Her brother was now the chief, he referred to her as Sacajawea.
Clark was taken by this beautiful young woman and learned to love her son, Jean Baptiste.
He was willing to do all he could for her and her child to keep her safe from the wife beating Charbonneau.
Clark even named a beautiful river Sacajawea.
After returning to Fort Manuel, South Dakota, Clark kept in contact with Charbonneau and Sacajawea, offering to take Jean Baptiste and educating him in St. Louis, Missouri.
This came to be, by then Sacajawea was giving birth to a baby girl, named Lisette, and both became ill. Sadly a few months later Sacajawea died at the age of 25, leaving a sick and motherless baby. Some say Clark was called and he took the baby but later she passed away also.
Then others say Sacajawea went back to her homeland, marring several times and had more children. Living to a rip old age and dieing in Wyoming.
On the Wind River, Wyoming Reservation, they have a grave for her and John Baptiese. A monument to her honor.
We have gone to the monument in Wyoming and Salmon, Idaho. I have read and listened to the stories of her life and death.
It is in my opinion that she is from the Salmon, Idaho area. Her real spelling to her name is Sacajawea, meaning boat launcher.
Or is it? I am from Idaho. Is it I just want a piece of her history to stay in Idaho? Just like they do in Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.
There is a beautiful monument in her honor in Salmon, Idaho. A beautiful burial memorial site in Wyoming. Also a simple monument to her in South Dakota, you will have to decide which story or stories you believe.
That is not the only thing to consider, how do you spell her name?
So many questions surround this woman; the history was never properly recorded.

LEWIS AND CLARK EXPEDITION

In the early 1800’s the west was home to many Indian tribes. The uncharted land of the west was filled with neighboring Indians. They fought over territories, traded, married and raised their families.
With explicit instructions, President Jefferson sent Capitan Meriwether Lewis to document and explores the Louisiana Territory, and find a major route to the Pacific Ocean. On the journey Lewis was to learn the language, religion, and Indian habits. Also encourage peace between the tribes.
In December of 1803 Captain William Clark established Camp River Dubois, and built a fort there. It was at the confluence of the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, north of St. Louis Missouri.
Clark’s responsibility was to train many men who had volunteered to go on the expedition. Captains Clark and Lewis would work together. But each had his own instructions.
Clark trained the men to use their weapons together getting them to respect military authority, and learn to follow instructions.
While Clark was doing the training, Lewis was in St. Louis, Missouri talking to fur traders who had been up the Missouri River. He was able to obtain maps made by earlier explores. Lewis and Clark wanted to gather as much information as they could. They wanted to be prepared for whatever was to be encountered along the way.

Transfer of the Louisiana Territory

On March 9, 1804 Lewis attended a special ceremony in St. Louis, Missouri. The upper Louisiana Territory was transferred to the United States.
All of the land from the Mississippi River, to the tops of the Rocky Mountains, officially belonged to the United States.
On May 14, 1804 Clark and his newly trained men. The Corps of Discovery left Camp Dubois and joined Lewis, who was up the river in St. Charles Missouri.
Clark was grateful for his foresight of hiring the several French boatmen to help with the boats that were laden with supplies. Traveling up the Missouri River was difficult and exhausting. Having to go up river against strong currents. Oars and long poles were used to push the boat. Sometimes the boats had to be pulled by men walking along the shore, fighting heat and insects.
By October the Corps of Discovery reached the wllage of the Mandan Indians. They stayed there the winter of 1804.

Next read Sacagawea


Rand McNally EasyFinder: North & South Dakota

WILD BILL HICKOK

His contemporaries called him Wild Bill Hickok and the newspaper men made him a legend in his own time.
His real name was James Butler Hickok.
Part of the Hickok legend was built on his ability to handle a pistol with either hand, becoming one of the first, so called “fast guns.”
He carried his pistols in an unusual butts-forward manner.
Wild Bill was the most famous scout on the plains. His courage was never in question; his skill with rifle and pistol was a dead aim. His influence among the frontiersmen was unbounded, his word was law.
Wild Bill was a gambler; he would rather play poker than eat. That was his fatal vice.
Wild Bill Hickok life of adventure ended during a card game in Deadwoods No.10 Saloon on August 2, 1876.
He was shot from behind by Jack McCall, who was hanged for the deed.
Wild Bill’s poker hand, black aces, eights, and a nine of diamonds will forever be known as the DEAD MANS HAND.
His grave is at the Deadwood Mount Mariah Cemetery.


Rand McNally Folded Map: North & South Dakota

CALAMITY JANE

Born Martha Jane Cannnary, raised in Virginia City,Montana,Jane developed skills that would enhance her reputation as a excellent horseman and marksman.

When her parents passed away, young Jane set out to make history.

She was a woman ahead of her time, but she had many unfortunate faults. She drank excessively, it was said she was intoxicated most of her adult life.

Calamity Jane when not on the open roads could be found at the local saloons, drinking and chewing tobacco.

The love life of Calamity Jane is yet another topic of heated discussion.

Many tales of husbands and campaigns have appeared in books.

The most popular is the relationship, with Wild Bill Hickok.

Their relationship was brief but moments before her death she requested to be burred next to Wild Bill.

She can be found at Mount Moriah Cemetery in Deadwood, South Dakota.

 

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DEADWOOD NATIONAL HISTORIC LANDMARK

When frontier prospectors hit a fabulously rich gold strike in Deadwood Gulch, Dakota, over 126 years ago Deadwood city was born.
Thousands of fortune seekers where lured into a gold frenzy of a gold rush to find the next great strike. They were lucky enough to find it too. Nuggets as big as candy bars, and placer claims that yielded $35 in gold powder.
There were no organization and no order for the first few years.
Bandits took over the gold supply wagons. Disputes over gold claims were frequent and bloody. Prices for necessities were outrageous.
To entertain the thousands of lonely miners, there were theatres, bordellos, and dozens of makeshift saloons and casinos.
The most famous people, Wild Bill Hickok and Clamity Jane lived and died in this rambunctious Deadwood.
Today the whole town is a National Historic District.
There are places like Adams Museum, Broken Boot, Gold Mine, and Old Style Saloon #10. And many others.
Legal gambling returned to Deadwood in 1989.
There are more than 82 businesses to gamble in. They are the genuine authentically restored Old West gold camp---- with gambling.
There are places to stay and eat here. It is fun for a day or a week
Don't be startled by the sound of gunfire as street actors protray the shooting of Wild Bill Hickok

BIKE CITY USA

The distinctive throb of a Harley-Davidson passing you one after another, hundreds of them; they must be headed for Sturgis, South Dakota.
Sturgis, South Dakota is home for the worlds biggest motorcycle rally.
We went to Sturgis before the rally to see what was the attraction, after doing so we decided you had to be a biker to know what the attraction is.
With a population of 6700 this respectable, conservative foothill town is so unlikely a place for the rally, you ask your self, can this be it?
Come August it is metamorphosis into anything but a quite town.
Shortly before Bike Week, a transformation begins in Sturgis. Hundreds of venders arrive with canopies and merchandise.
Church basements become cafeterias, backyards change to campgrounds. The stores that sells other lines of clothing during the rest of the year, gets out the leathers.
The hardware store becomes a motorcycle accessory shop.
When 300,000 bikers arrive, Sturgis becomes MOTARCYCLE CITY USA, for a full week.
Bikers from all over the world flock to the week-long party. This includes thousands of Harley show bikes, dragsters, choppers, motocross rigs, glitzy touring cycles, antiques, and custom bikes.
Four rows of cycles line Main Street for blocks with noise non-stop as the parade of bikes go by.
It is a ruff looking crowd, you would be surprised to learn among the beards, tattoos, and black leather are movie stars, business people, diplomats, police personnel, preachers, doctors and lawyers, both male and female riding bikes.
For a week they are all BORN TO BE WILD.
Just as suddenly as they roared in they roar out the week is over. Back to their lives. They tell you “It’s a spectacle, a happening, and no one can claim to really be a biker if they haven’t been to Sturgis, South Dakota.
From Rapid City, South Dakota I-90 to Ext. 32.

THE WIND IS CRYING

DeLorme Atlas & Gazetteer: South Dakota

The wind is crying it is the most prevalent sound rustling up the gulches and through the prairie grass.
It is desolation; you can look for miles and see no sign of civilization
The land of sharp ridges, steep walled canyons, gullies, pyramids and knobs has been so ravaged by the wind and water it has become picturesque.
It’s the Badlands of South Dakota.
The Badlands National Park, are a wonderland of bizarre colorful spires, pinnacles, massive buttes and deep gorges.
More than 160 square miles have been reserved for the National Park.
Badlands Loop Drive, a scenic byway takes in the best of the park.
With watch able wild life, natural trails, and spectacular overlooks.
If you leave your car and modern highway behind, you can imagine how crossing this landscape must have perplexed early-day travelers. Yet there are passes and they somehow did find them.
Visually the Badlands are at their best, early or late in the day, when deep shadows define their unique forms.
Stop at Cedar Pass Visitors Center, have a bite to eat and look at all of the souvenirs in the gift shop.
On the west end of the park Sage Creek Road takes you to the biggest prairie dog town you have ever seen.
If you look carefully you may just see some buffalo.
I-90 at Exit 131

BLACK HILLS CAVES

If you enjoy natures hidden beauty you will be delighted in the Black Hills caves.

An exciting trip inside the geology of the region.

Of the 72 known crystal caves in the world, 68 of them are located inn the Black Hills area.

Each cave has an uniqueness and have informative guides for your tours.

Black Hills caves are renowned for their abundance of rare formations and maze-like interconnections.

Some of the common formations are stalactites,stalagmites, columns, spiralling helictites,flagstone, ribbon like draperies,frost work,boxwood and cave popcorn in sizes ranging from massive to delicate.

Translucent calcite crystals lining the glittering walls,floors,and ceilings are prevalent.

Cave tours are on experience unlike anything else in nature. Within  minutes you are in a different world.

Most cave temperatures are around 50 degrees, a light jacket and good walking shoes are recommended.

We have been to several of these caves and find them all very interesting. Some are bigger than others and some more pretty but all interesting.

The biggest one we have ever been in was in Springfield, Missouri, they take you through it by a small train.

 

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