Fort Bridger

With the weather here in the southwest corner of Wyoming 15 degrees cooler, we were gland to let Eagle fly us 32 miles east up I80.  

Not only is the air cooler but the desert is greener.  

Numerous snow drift fences tell of heavy winter snows

which melt in spring leaving numerous ponds, lakes,

and rivers.

I80 runs fairly straight, but goes up and up and up.

The Fort Bridger complex sits just off I80 on the Lincoln Highway which runs parallel to the interstate.

During the westward migration, several trails met in the vicinity of the fort.

Fur trapper Jim Bridger and his partner Louis Vasques established the fort in 1843 as an emigrant supply stop along the Oregon Trail.  (Lowest left corner).  

In a letter to would-be suppliers  Bridger wrote, "I have established a small fort, with a supply of iron in the road of the emigrants on Black Fork of Green River, which promises fairly."

Diorama of the fort in the museum.

I'm standing on the original Oregon Trail along the right side of the diorama fort.

Duane would be walking toward the trapper leading his horse.

Inside the palisade Bridger and Vasques lived in this building.

To Duane's right is the building housing the "store" and at the far end the blacksmith's shop.

The shop is in working order, but not historically correct yet.

Along with the diorama of the original fort/trading post, were some excerpts from diaries of travelers.  Some easterners had scathing comments about the fort, 

but others, commenting about the rigors of travel, would have found the fort a welcome respite no matter how it looked.

More about the complex to come.

Louise and Duane