Day Trip to Martin’s Cove and Devil’s Gate
Today was sunny and windy. We headed down Highway 220 to find the Devil’s Gate – another site that Dad Zastrow talked about in his journal. There is a historical wayside with info about the Gate where we stopped to look around. Lots of different wild flowers and one Pine Snake. Wonderful views.
We could see down a hill to a very busy settlement – folks in period customs and many buses. Looked interesting so we drove down. Turned out to be the Sun Ranch/Martins Cove – Mormon run historical site with special interest for Mormons. A group of Mormon Handcart emigrants were late building their carts in Iowa and were caught by a blizzard in late October. They managed to move on across the Platte River and were met by rescuers from Salt Lake City. They were holed up at Martins Cove for a time and many emigrants and rescuers died before they finally reached Salt Lake City the end of November.
It was an interesting site. We were guided through the building and displays by a missionary Elder of the church. He was very interesting… held the kids attention for longer than I’d thought possible. After the tour, Jim, Joe and Tess hiked out to Devil’s Gate. Joann was not feeling well and they headed back to camp. Karen, Beth and I waited for the hikers.
After they returned, we drove a short distance on the “old” road that Dad Z probably drove on and found Independence Rock. This was a landmark used by pioneers to find their way across the plains. Jim, Joe and Beth climbed the rock.
We ate lunch before driving back toward Casper. Found the old “highway 319” which was more cow path than road. Saw many Antelope at first, then even more cattle as we drove over cattle gates between ranches. The road finally got us back into Casper and the campground.
Had a little rain and much wind in the evening. Tomorrow we move on to the Little Bib Horn.
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