Today we departed The Virginian at 8:00 AM after a very good breakfast. All of the breakfasts were included on this tour and I would be hard pressed to pick which was my favorite. We headed South through the Bridger-Teton National Forest. We then entered Idaho and traveled along the route of the original “Oregon Trail.” Stopped to visit the National Oregon/California Trail Center Museum, a Authentic indoor living history adventure.
The NATIONAL OREGON/CALIFORNIA TRAIL CENTER, located in MONTPELIER, IDAHO, offered a unique and entertaining interpretive indoor adventure; simulating an actual wagon train experience of the 1850s. Re-enacted entirely, this interpretive experience featured historically accurate interpretive areas and live actors. Patrons will go back in time to visit a gun shop, mercantile, ride in a covered wagon and spend time around the evening encircled wagon train at the Clover Creek Encampment. It is located on the historic Oregon/California Trail, mid-way between Jackson/Yellowstone and Salt Lake City. Our group became members of a simulated wagon train headed west guided by a live cast of pioneers whose dialogue and stories will made the adventure come alive! After our one hour tour, we were treated to coffee and pastries before continuing on to Lava Hot Springs where we’ll have some time on our own to wander around and have lunch.
Oregon! – The very word evoked visions of paradise. Towering trees, lush valleys with rich soil. Land of unlimited opportunity. Between 1840 and 1869 those visions lured over 500,000 pioneers west to fulfill their dreams and a nations destiny. Their 2,000 mile route is known today as the Oregon Trail. In early 1841 the first emigrant wagon train set out from Independence, Mo. The party of about 80 men, women and children joined guide Thomas Fitzpatrick. He led them up the Little Blue River across north-eastern Kansas, following the old fur trace along the Platte River. On the Sweetwater River they passed by Independence Rock and the cleft called Devil’s Gate, finally starting up a long, wide, gentle grade, the South Pass.
In the first decade of Oregon Trail travel, relationships between Indians and emigrants were generally cooperative. Tribes provided fresh meat, guided travelers across rivers, and helped search for lost livestock. But tensions grew when the stream of wagons increased in 1849 in response to the California gold strikes. Relations deteriorated in the late 1850’s and Indians killed travelers and emigrants killed Indians. Indian resistance persisted into the 1880’s. By then the Indians had suffered military defeats, settlers had claimed their most productive lands, treaties were made and broken, and most tribes were forced into reservations. American landscape was changed forever.
After our stop here, we boarded the coach and headed to Lava Hot Springs.
Lava Hot Springs is a city in Bannock County, Idaho. The population was 407 at the 2010 census, down from 521 in 2000. Located in the mountainous valley of the Portneuf River on the old route of the Oregon Trail and California Trail, the city has become a popular resort location, noted for its numerous hot springs amenable to bathing and a turbulent inner tube run through part of the town. We had a nice lunch in the town before we made our final trek to Salt Lake City, Utah.
We arrived at Temple Square with it’s spacious gardens and fountains mid afternoon. Once again, the weather was glorious. Early June is definitely the time of year to visit this area. We had a tour of the Mormon Tabernacle by four missionary young ladies. It was extremely interesting to hear how the Mormon’s live and what their beliefs are. SLC was founded by the Mormons in 1847. Like many earlier American settlers, the Mormon’s traveled across the country in search of a place where they could practice their religion without persecution. As these Mormon pioneers approached the Salt Lake Valley for the first tie, their leader, Brigham Young, proclaimed, “This is the right place.”
Currently, more than half of the population of Salt Lake City is Mormon, a decrease over the past 10 years.
After our tour, Jim and Keven picked us up (after dropping our luggage off at the Hilton and we had a little time to rest before we went to our Farewell Dinner at the hotel. We originally planned to spend an extra night in Salt Lake City, but changed our mind because our new little pup, Lily was in a boarding facility and we really wanted to get home. So, we packed our suitcases in anticipation of an early morning flight that would get us home in time to pick up Lily. Our Farewell Dinner was very nice. There were 43 people in our group from all over the country.
Final Day – June 9th – We awoke early to find out that our flight was delayed 4 hours so we would most likely miss our connection (once again) in Denver and not get home in time to pick up Lily.
Final thoughts – Love, love, love the guided tour. Saw so much that we would not have ever seen if we were on our own. Economically, so worth it! Stayed in top hotels. Learned more than I could have imagined. Will definitely do another tour in the Spring. ***Important…..always have a toothbrush and a change of underwear in your carryon bag.
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