As we headed East a few miles, towards the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, we came across a couple more Historic Markers. The first was the story of the Lone Tree - a pine tree that grew alone at this view point along the trail. There are stories of emigrants waiting to see this Lone Tree as it was talked about marker along the way; letting tired travelers know how much closer they were to their destination. There are also many stories of heartbreak when finding out the Lone Tree had been cut down by emigrants trying to use it for firewood. And, as the stories go, the tree was so green that it wouldn't burn; the Lone Tree had been destroyed.
The next marker was a memorial dedicated by the Baker Kiwanis Club.
We then found our way to the Interpretive Center.
Which was full of replicas, artifacts, stories and more about the Oregon Trail and it's travelers. So interesting and informative.
Makena was a little freaked out by all of the replicas (they looked scary she said) but I did convince her to stand next to this family.
And then I found out that there was a path you could take and see some of the preserved trail ruts. I couldn't wait!
Which was full of replicas, artifacts, stories and more about the Oregon Trail and it's travelers. So interesting and informative.
Makena was a little freaked out by all of the replicas (they looked scary she said) but I did convince her to stand next to this family.
And then I found out that there was a path you could take and see some of the preserved trail ruts. I couldn't wait!
The path down was just over a mile, and paved. We could see a little white wagon in the distance.
There was a marker by Ezra Meeker at the site as well.
The fact that these ruts had been preserved amazed me. And, how could I have never known about them?
We decided to take the shorter trail on the way back up, but quickly realized that that had been a mistake ('kind of like some of the emigrants along the trail' I told Makena). The path was mostly uphill and loose rock. It seemed like we walked forever ('kind of like some of the emigrants along the trail' I told Makena, she was not impressed) but thankfully there were a couple of places to stop along the way.
We decided to take the shorter trail on the way back up, but quickly realized that that had been a mistake ('kind of like some of the emigrants along the trail' I told Makena). The path was mostly uphill and loose rock. It seemed like we walked forever ('kind of like some of the emigrants along the trail' I told Makena, she was not impressed) but thankfully there were a couple of places to stop along the way.
When we finally made it back up to the top, I thought Makena would never talk to me again. But, I bribed her with a soda from the vending machine and assured her that we wouldn't take anymore trails that day.
Then we headed out towards Sumpter. Along the way, we stopped in McEwen - a Sumpter Valley Railroad Depot. Which, unfortunately, is only open on the weekends. But, we still walked around for a bit. (Not uphill tho!)
And train tracks always make kids happy.
By the time we arrived in Sumpter, it had started raining.
We found the visitor center and a gold dredge that was being repaired. We were able to tour the dredge, which apparently dug up over $45,000 worth of gold in it's time.
We had lunch a the only local diner. We planned to visit the Sumpter Museum, but it unfortunately didn't open until 4pm on Wednesdays. We decided not to wait the hour and a half, but to head to Prairie City instead.
Along the way, we found another view point.
We stopped at the DeWitt Museum in Prairie City. It was the final stop along the Sumpter Valley Railroad (Baker City to Prairie City) and they had turned the depot in to a museum.
By the time we arrived in Sumpter, it had started raining.
We found the visitor center and a gold dredge that was being repaired. We were able to tour the dredge, which apparently dug up over $45,000 worth of gold in it's time.
We had lunch a the only local diner. We planned to visit the Sumpter Museum, but it unfortunately didn't open until 4pm on Wednesdays. We decided not to wait the hour and a half, but to head to Prairie City instead.
Along the way, we found another view point.
We stopped at the DeWitt Museum in Prairie City. It was the final stop along the Sumpter Valley Railroad (Baker City to Prairie City) and they had turned the depot in to a museum.
The rooms were filled with items from 1910 (when the depot opened) to the 1930's.
Makena pointed out the plumbing. Love it.
Makena pointed out the plumbing. Love it.
We walked around the town for a little while; stopping at a few antique shops. Then we headed for our hotel in John Day. We enjoyed another wonderful dinner at local restaurant before returning to the room to do some reading. I found a book at the Interpretive Center based on stories of women along the Oregon Trail and couldn't wait to read it.
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