Typist: Bethany
After learning last Wednesday evening what an engorged tick feels like and that I could remove it, kill it and clean the wound without completely freaking out, I slept a bit better than I did when we first encountered ticks in Minnesota a few weeks ago. We woke last Thursday morning next to one of the ponds in the campground at Fort Kearny Recreation Area, Nebraska, with the positive attitude that we would not let any evil, blood sucking creatures spoil our adventures. (Okay, the dogs always had that attitude but I had to work a little to readjust mine.)
There is a nature trail at the campground but I was anxious to get to the Fort Kearny Historical Park just a little over 2 miles down the road from the recreation area. I packed up camp and we headed out. Now, you would think a good Cascadian like me would know some Oregon trail history, which I do, but I did not know that Fort Kearny was a major stopping point on the trail West until we arrived at the historic site. Seeing as how I very much appreciate those who settled the region I love, I was thrilled to explore this park. And, as usual, historic or not, so were the dogs.
After learning last Wednesday evening what an engorged tick feels like and that I could remove it, kill it and clean the wound without completely freaking out, I slept a bit better than I did when we first encountered ticks in Minnesota a few weeks ago. We woke last Thursday morning next to one of the ponds in the campground at Fort Kearny Recreation Area, Nebraska, with the positive attitude that we would not let any evil, blood sucking creatures spoil our adventures. (Okay, the dogs always had that attitude but I had to work a little to readjust mine.)
There is a nature trail at the campground but I was anxious to get to the Fort Kearny Historical Park just a little over 2 miles down the road from the recreation area. I packed up camp and we headed out. Now, you would think a good Cascadian like me would know some Oregon trail history, which I do, but I did not know that Fort Kearny was a major stopping point on the trail West until we arrived at the historic site. Seeing as how I very much appreciate those who settled the region I love, I was thrilled to explore this park. And, as usual, historic or not, so were the dogs.
Good morning Fort Kearny State Historical Park
Nebraska is now on the "States I've Visited" shirts
Historical wrestling
 The original buildings are gone |  Trails weave through old support posts |
A replica of the Blacksmith's Shop
Checking out the old fort
There's a pretty good view from up here!
Cascadia, here we come!
Day four drive from Fort Kearny State Park, Nebraska to Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming: 596 miles
| This was the longest drive I had planned for our entire road trip. Fortunately, we passed from Central to Mountain time so we gained an hour. Plus, this drive was one of the most beautiful we had done. I rarely noticed the dogs sniffing or looking out the windows so far on our trip, but this leg was one of the times they were definitely interested in the sights and the smells. It was a pretty dramatic change to go from colorful, flat grasslands to breathtaking, high peaks and from farms to ranches. The first mountain range we drove through was the Sherman Mountains. Beautiful! We stopped at the first view point we came to. |  Brychwyn enjoys the view and the breeze from his crate |
Wilhelm, Huxley, Brychwyn and the Sherman Mountains
Tree Rock
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We arrived at Sinks Canyon State Park just outside Lander, Wyoming at dusk. This was the first leg of our journey that we did not have a campsite reservation (the park does not take reservations.) The campground was crowded but we found a pretty good spot in the middle and the only spot left with comfortable space for a tent. When we returned from paying for our site, I noticed that the people across the road had suddenly left. Their site was right next to the river! I quickly tied the dogs to the picnic table by the river and moved our van across the road to this newly vacant camp site. We got the best spot in the park! So last Wednesday was pretty much the perfect day- tick free, historic and mountainous. What more could traveling Cascadians ask for?
Let's get this tent up
We have the perfect spot next to the Popo Agie River, now what?
Moonrise at Sinks Canyon State Park, Wyoming
A moonlit fire and river side chew time
To the dear people who gave up this river side campsite in Sinks Canyon State Park last Thursday evening: We Cascadian Nomads truly hope that all is well with you and that you left the campground by choice and not because of an emergency. We very much appreciate the opportunity to have stayed in this spot and hope it was not at the expense of the well-being of you or any of your loved ones. Thank you, thank you, thank you for providing us with the best possible experience we could have had at this point in our journey. Happy Trails. No. Tails. Wait. Both!
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