In a message dated 12/5/2007 5:36:48 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, [EMAIL PROTECTED] writes:
That ride is a long way from Southern Oregon, but I would love to do it some time. My great grandfather was stationed at Ft. Tejon with the US Cavalry. I suppose there are people who ride where their great-grandfathers had ridden, but for me that would be a rare treat. Very interesting observation, Nancy. I have had the opportunity to ride where my great grandparents rode and it was wonderful. As you probably know, the Oregon Trail, the California Trail, the Mormon Trail and the Pony Express Trail are mostly the same trail through Nebraska and Wyoming. They were exactly the same trail when they passed through central Wyoming. Major stretches of the Trail in Wyoming are pristine. especially where the Trail crosses the continental divide at South Pass and also as the Trail leaves the desert east of Farson. You see the trail but no buildings, fences, telephone poles or other manmade objects in any direction. All sixteen of my great grandparents emigrated west on the trail either on horseback, in a wagon, on foot or even pulling a handcart in the 1840's and 1850's. When we rode the Pony Express Trail from Missouri to California in 2001, I stopped for a moment at the narrow gap where the Trail passes through next to the famous Devil's Gate on the Sweetwater River. The gap isn't thirty feet wide. I remember thinking that I was standing on a spot where every one of my great grandparents had stood. In 2004, when we rode the central Wyoming stretch of the Trail backwards (i.e. from west to east) I remember looking out across the landscape and observing that there was nothing visible to even tell what century I was in. I closed my eyes and could hear the voices of ancestors I spent time with, including my great grand mother, grand father, great uncle and of course my own late father as clearly as though they were with me. I remember thinking that if I could choose the place where my life will someday end that this would be the place. It was a truly mystical experience. A few days later I rode over South Pass on Remington with my oldest son on Skjoldur. When we crossed the summit and later when we forded the Sweetwater River, we talked about how our ancestors had done the same thing so many years ago. I remember thinking that sharing that experience while we fifty miles together that day was one of the most satisfying days of my life. So there you are. The opportunity for contemplation our horses provide us is a treasure. John Parke Solvang CA **************************************Check out AOL's list of 2007's hottest products. (http://money.aol.com/special/hot-products-2007?NCID=aoltop00030000000001)
