6/18/08: Stepping Back in Time

Today we stood on the very spot (in Guernsey, WY) where approximately 500,000 emigrants passed on their way to settle the west, search for gold, and follow their religious pursuits. Regardless of where they started or where they were going, all the emigrants passed by this portion of the trail – so much so that it wore down the rock here. Later when the Pony Express was in operation, it passed here and so did the Wells Fargo Stage Coach. We also toured Fort Laramie. It started out as a fur trading post but the army bought it to protect all the masses of emigrants headed for Oregon, California and Utah. This was the last place the emigrants could get supplies for at least 350+ miles (or more depending on which trail they were headed). It’s also where 2 significant treaties with the Plains Indians were signed (which were later broken by the US).