Day 7+: Ghosts and Myths

On our way to Cheyenne we took an unplanned side trip to the the historic Oregon Trail Ruts.  It was phenomenal.  These ruts were worn into the sand stone by the wheels of Conestoga wagons riding the trail.  It was interesting how the highest point of the hill had the deepest ruts.  You could see places were pioneers maneuvered their wagons just to one side so their wagons didn't go into the deepest ruts.  I imagine that by the later years the risk of grounding the wagon bottoms would have been pretty high.

Nearby the trail was a monument referred to as Register Cliffs.  The same sandstone that recorded the passage of wagon wheels formed a wall adjoining a flat meadow well suited for stopping to rest during the journey west.  The sand stone wall provided a canvas for travelers to carve their names and the date of their passage.  Visiting these historical spots really brought to life the men and woman who bet it all on the promise of a better future in the west.








As we continued west on I-80 we thoroughly enjoyed spotting the sculptures that were randomly positioned on the hilltops.  My favorite was definitely the mythical jackalope!  So funny.