Our 17th Park in our 11 State was Fort Lamamie in Fort Lamamie, WYOMING!

http://www.nps.gov/fola/index.htm

After the wagon train left Scotts Bluff their next stop before heading into the mountains was Fort Lamine.  This short 50 mile journey took the wagon trains about 5 days.

 This was the enlisted men's barracks.

  Inside the Barracks

The buildings on the left haven't been restored and they probably didn't look this good at the time

We said goodbye to Wyoming and headed to South Dakota

On August 31, 2012 we reached our 16th Park in the 10th State, SCOTTS BLUFF, in Gering, NE

   http://www.nps.gov/scbl/index.htm

 After the long boring trip across Nebraska for the Oregon, California and Mormon trails and us,  Scotts Bluff was a very welcome site.  The boredom and tedium of the long sojourn across Nebraska was a major problem of the wagon trains.  It was said, of those who weren't able to survive the trip that they had seen the "Elephant"  On our trip across Nebraska on I-80, Melissa said she had seen the "ELEPHANT"!

 Scotts Buff was the second most recognizable site along the trails.  Chimney Rock not far from here was the most referred to landmark.

We loved the oxen and the wagons.  It made you feel like you were really part of a wagon train.

I know, too many pictures of covered wagons, but we felt like we were in a special place.

THE OREGON TRAIL PASSED RIGHT HERE AND THIS MOTORCYCLE IS ON THE TRAIL RIGHT BEHIND THE WAGONS!!!  WESTWARD HOO!

Scotts Bluff has a scenic drive to the top of the bluff.

At the top the views are spectacular.  You can also hike up here.  A beautiful place.  We wondered why the settlers didn't just stay here!!

On August 30, 2012 on our way to see Mount Rushmore we stopped at our 15th park in the 10th State, Homestead National Monument in Beatrice, NE.  http://www.nps.gov/home/index.htm

The Homestead Act of 1862 gave away FREE LAND

There was 270,000,000 acres given away in 30 states.  This cutout in each state along this wall shows where the free land was in those 30 states.

 The cutout section show the land in Kansas that was given away under the Homestead Act

The cutout section shows the land in Missouri that was given away under the Homestead Act

Did you know the last land was given away in 1985!!!  in Alaska.

The Palmers whose family grew to 12 lived in this cabin for 15 years.

This is the cabin that the Palmers live in.... 12 people for 15 years!!

Although today, the park is picturesque you learn of the dreadful hardships the settlers endured

We learned a lot in this park and it is very well done.  From here we rode I-80 all the way across the State of Nebraska.  There was beauty to behold especially in the sand hills, but it got very hot and boring.  Melissa said she saw glimpses of the "ELEPHANT".  I will explain that later.

The 14 th Park in the 9 th State was Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, 110 Parkside Dr., West Branch, IA.

 The Visitors Center was closed and the Park Ranger was sitting at a table on the sidewalk greeting guests.  Peak of their tourist season and they decide to remodel?

The Hoover family were Quakers and he was born in this very small cottage

Hoover's father was a blacksmith.  The park department has setup a blacksmith shop near the home and you can ask questions and see him heat iron to red hot!!

Born in a two-room cottage, Herbert Hoover could have been any small town boy. Orphaned at age nine, he left West Branch, never to live here again. The landscape and buildings of the early years remain, however, to tell how family, faith, education, and hard work opened a world of opportunity— even the presidency of the United States— to a child of simple beginnings.

One could question the need for the Herbert Hoover National Historic Site, but it is adjacent to, but not a part of the Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum.  As is the case with all the Presidential Libraries I have visited it is well worth the trip.  This library is very well done, informative and educational.  It should be the National Historic Site.  This just doesn't make sense.  Truman Library with the same deal.

I have been good about not digressing to other things we have seen on our parks trips, but I have to throw this in.  Almost adjoining West Branch, IA is Iowa City, IA the home of the University of Iowa.  We had never been there, in fact before this trip I couldn't have told you what city the University of Iowa was in.  Whow!! It is big and beautiful!!

Bye for now

Our 13th Park in our 9 th State was EFFIGY MOUNDS National Monument, 151 Highway 76, in Harper's Ferry, IA

They went to great lengths to keep from calling these "Indian Burial Mounds"  The picture about says "mystery".  I guess that is their way of say there is something buried here and in 1000's of other places and no one know why.

Being the skeptic that I am and with very little imagination, what we have here at "mounds" that the experts say don't fit in with the rest of the terrain.  Many have been robbed, but some copper jewelry has been found.  They have mowed around these mounds and say they look like various things.  To me it is like identifying constellations in the sky.  I can't see a bear there either.

Melissa saw everything see was suppose the see and was awed by the whole adventure.

This 2526 acre park is nestled along the banks of the Mississippi River and has miles of trails.  The views of the river are spectacular, as well as the vegetation and wildlife.  You could definitely see why someone would pick this as a place to be buried and visit those who had passed on.

Nice place for a walk.....