Nebraska Military Outposts as per the Kearney Rest Area

 Kearney Eastbound Rest Area gives a summary of military outposts across Nebraska.  Included are Fort Kearney, Fort Atkinson, Fort Robinson, Fort Sidney, Fort Hartsuff and Fort McPherson.  There is also information about the Mormon Trail, and communication on buffalo skulls.  This is a Purple Heart Trail, and the military are honored.

 

Elkhart Train Yard,

The Elkhart train yard is almost 100 tracks wide at its thickest point.  It is part of the Norfolk Southern Line.  History of being part of New York Central and then Penn Central.  It employs 450 railroad workers.  I thought the signs were saying don't go further so I turned around.  Next time in Elkhart I will go on the other side of the tracks.  

Reenactment of the Oregon Trail at the National Oregon/California Trail Center

 There is a doscent led presentation of the Oregon Trail, starting in Independence Missouri and following the tril ro Oregon.  This includes a wagon ride with a very bumpy road.  

outfitting

rifle shop

buffalo hide

bearskin coat

mountain lion

outfitting store

odometer

blankets used for sleeping, trading and providing a screen for privacy

Native Americans at York Rest Area East Bound

 York Rest Area Eastbound on the I80 in Nebraska

Red Cloud and his wife

Omaha Indian

transportation of goods

Emigration Canyon and Liberty Idaho

There is an old informational bulletin in Liberty, Idaho which is on highway 36 east of Emigration Canyon.  The plaque explains how the early pioneers entered Bear Lake Valley through the canyon.  The plaque is by the church parking lot.

In 1863 Charles C. Rich with others explored this valley.   A group of settlers in eleven wagons trqveled through Emigration Canyon in September and founded Paris.  Log huts with dirt floors and roofs sheltered 48 men, 40 women and 38 children during the winter.  Church services were held in homes until a log building was erected.  Next year 700 pioneers entered the valley and established other settlements.  Their main food was fish and wild game.  Men on snowshoes carried communications between settlements.  A treaty of peace and friendship with the Indians was made by Charles C. Rich and was faithfully kept. 

There is a small country town playground, and a unique church.

horseshoe throwing pitch

covered picnic area, ball field and basketball hoop

swings and teeter totters

church looking east

church looking west