Wild Horse Sanctuary

We had read about the Wild Horse Sanctuary in South Dakota.

Seeing the Horses left me speechless.

We arrived early in the morning after a night of thundershowers.
The Horses were coming up the hill following their horse trail.
I stood in tears as they came by the fence.
With thousands of acres to roam they chose this spot at this time.
I was honored to see them up close.

It was a magical moment.

My little dashboard Horsey was very pleased.

We drove down the muddy, rocky road to the headquarters of the
sanctuary. Finding fossils on display was an added treat.

The fossil record of the Horse is one of the most complete records
we have of any species.

I am studying their fossil record.

So very interesting.

The story of this sanctuary
reminds me how good people can be.
The Horses are safe here.

When we drove back up the hill to  the blacktop
our tires were filled with mud
and our hearts were filled with love
for the Wild Horses.

Chimney Rock and Rock show

I can imagine how exciting it must have been
 for the pioneers to see landmarks.
Their 2,000 mile journey to Oregon City, Oregon
was just beginning.

I wonder if they ate rattlesnake meat

or turkeys?

I took a few landscape shots before going into the visitors center.

We also were following the North Platt river on our way to
Scotts Bluff.

As we approached Scotts Bluff we saw a sign for a rock show.
I had never been to one.
I was so excited!

Scotts Bluff is another amazing landmark in Nebraska.

It is huge.
I wonder why there is no apostrophe in Scotts.

It had rained during the night and the wild flowers were still dripping raindrops.

Once we left the monument it was time to find the rock show!

I want to join a rock and gem club!

The camp ground was muddy.
A few venders had braved the cold and wet.

I bought a few things. 50 million years old????
Oh wow.....

3 million year old sand dollars?
That is so cool, "Two please."

Fossil Freeway Adventure

We planned our trip this year, to the West Coast to be a
 fossil adventure.

Fossil hunting is a new hobby for us.

Our daughter lives in Portland, Oregon.

Our son lives in Northern California.

The trail is well marked.
We have all the time we need.

We left a day early.

Our dashboard sitter, Horsey, was ready to go.

This is our first time having a travel critter and she did just fine.

We left Missouri in the early morning and headed north to Nebraska.

Our first hike was in Ash Hallow.

Boots decorated the fence posts as we drove down into the valley.

We heard many birds.

The Yellow Warbler was very courious since we were the only Humans about.

The Black Headed Grosbeak was a new to us bird.

The House Wren reminded me of home.

The history of the Oregon and California trails is very interesting.

I like interpretive signs that explain the history of an area.

I am awed by the Pioneers.

These wagon ruts are over 100 years old.

My road is also curvy.

I am grateful Nebraska saw the importantance of this history and kept the plow from distroying

portions of the trails.

I think of life on the Tall Grass Prairie in the 1800's.

I think of the courage it would have taken to pack up everything and head west.

The 2,000 miles to Oregon City was difficult.

Many of the Pioneers walk with their over loaded wagons.

Many are buried along the trail.