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As we left Rapid City and headed west, we were cautiously optimistic that our coolant leak issue was resolved. At every stop, Doug would check the coolant level and give me the much anticipated ''thumbs up'' sign. When we reached the banks of the North Platte River in Casper, Wyoming, we were starting to feel the optimism that many early pioneers felt as they passed by here in covered wagons in the 1840s.
We had reached the 19th century emigration route that nearly 500,000 people followed in search of farmland, religious freedom, and wealth. We were in search of a once-in-a-lifetime ring of fire ... yet we found so much more along the way as our travels took us through Wyoming and down into the Salt Lake City, Utah area. As we followed the famous Oregon Trail, we ''struck gold'' when we found rich historical and gorgeous natural areas lining our route.
Casper, Wyoming is where the Oregon, Mormon, and California Trails merged as the pioneers headed for South Pass, the least-difficult crossing over the Rocky Mountain Range. Today, Casper is where the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center is located to tell the story of these determined pioneers.
The center shares the pioneers' narratives of their slow, dangerous journeys west in which upwards of 10% of the emigrants didn't survive. Disease and accidents as well as harsh weather were constant threats. But their determination to find a better way of life pushed them on.
Today many groups are working to preserve these historical trails. Our route the next day took us near one of the trails that led to Independence Rock, a Wyoming state historic site. This large granite rock alongside the Sweetwater River became a well-recognized landmark for the early westward travelers.
It was said that the name came from the fact that the emigrants had to arrive at Independence Rock on or before July 4, otherwise there was a good chance that they would not be able to get across the western mountains before the first winter storms arrived. We may be in trouble since it was already early October when we made it here!
This huge landmark has been nicknamed ''the register of the desert'' because over 5,000 pioneers carved their name and the date of their passing by in the rock as they made their way west. It was amazing to walk around this monument and see some names still there after almost 180 years.
Fortunately, due to the invention of the automobile, we arrived in the Wasatch Mountains between Park City and Salt Lake City a few days before the first winter storm arrived. And we were greeted with a gift of magnificent gold ... in the form of colorful autumn leaves.
as well as a picturesque place to camp for the night.
The next morning we enjoyed a colorful but ''white knuckle'' ride up and over Guardsmen Pass.
The ski trails at the top are patiently waiting for snow in order to welcome back the skiers, but they seemed happy to have two hikers enjoy their slopes ...
The view at the top overlooking Twin Lakes was definitely worth the effort!
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