Chimney Rock

The most recognized landmark of the west ward journey of the 1800's was Chimney Rock.  This remnant of the ancient high plains left over of volcanic eruptions, then erosion over millions of years caused this monolith type column.  When we were visiting Scott's Bluff National Monument yesterday and was on top, we could see Chimney Rock way in the distance.  I could see how this monolith was a landmark - when we looked west towards Scott's Bluff, you saw this huge sandstone formation with an opening in the middle - this is Mitchell's Pass that was done by the US Army in 1850.  Not so daunting since you knew there was a pass.  But this Chimney Rock - can you imagine what the emigrants thought when they first caught glimpse of this column from the middle of the Nebraska wilderness, knowing that as they passed by Chimney Rock, and could see Scott's Bluff in the distance, they have traveled 1/3 of the route to Oregon or California?  That the worst was yet to come with transversing mountains?  Many of the journal entries of emigrants as they passed this way said they were very bored.  Dave and I are constantly amazed as to how they did it - their perseverance, their willingness to walk thousands of miles, giving up everything and probably loosing family members to death by diseases or mere exhaustion.  Wow.

Chimney Rock - about 8 miles in distance

Different Trails as they crossed the country

At the visitors center they housed a great museum dedicated to the endeavor, watched the video, took some pictures, then drove on a dirt road to get within 1/2 mile of the structure.  Can't get any closer to it.  There was a cemetery right near the end of the dirt road and walked through those hallowed grounds.  Very eerie.

Eroding as we speak

Chimney Rock Cemetery

Our next jaunt was to find the Oregon Trails Wagon Train that said it was just 2 miles from Chimney Rock.  Down another dirt road, this time the signs all said we were traveling on the actual Oregon Trail which paralleled the North Platte River.  Rustic.  Then we saw the signs for the Wagon Train so turned into the driveway.  Sure enough - I think someone had collected, or was in the family for generations, old wagons and carts - they sure looked very old.  On every fencepost by the abandoned wagons, an old boot was placed upside down on the post.  Quirky.  At the end of the driveway was a campground - only I thought maybe Judd Clampet of the Beverly Hillbillies was going to come out to greet us, possibly with no teeth, pants hitched up to his chin.  We turned around even though the sign said howdy, welcome.  Maybe another day.

Howdy - Welcome 

Abandoned wagons

Unique fence post decorations