Route 309/319

My final field experience to this point was with Jude Carino, an archaeologist for the BLM. Jude was the first director of the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center and had a direct hand in putting everything together to make the beautiful museum. We met later in the morning (he, like myself, is not much of a morning person) and drove out to Bessemer Bend. I had already been there once with Eve, but this time our conversation ventured in a different direction.

We spent several hours in the car talking about the overall history of the trail corridor, the history of this particular site as well as goals and thoughts on place based education. Our original plan was to sit outside and visit, but in true Casper form, the Wyoming wind made that choice quite difficult. Jude had more information and "factoids" to share than I could possibly record and I gave up trying to write everything down and just listened. 



It was after this experience when my final project began to formally take shape in my mind. I wanted students and visitors to be able to tell the story of the land, particularly the river. The majority of the information Jude shared with me, I used to create my site introduction assignment as his expertise gave the background for the site. 

We took the driving route along county road 319 from Bessemer Bend and ended our day at Devil's Gate. Throughout the day, we stopped to look at historically significant sites such as gravesite markers, names carved into the Avenue of Rocks, the Willow Spring, Prospect Hill and Independence Rock with a few other historically significant stops along the way. 

As we drove just past Martin's Cove to park near Devil's Gate, we saw a man walking quite slowly along the highway. As we parked, he told us his name, NimbleWill Nomad and he was walking the Oregon Trail all the way from Independence, Missouri. This particular day was brutally windy and we could see in his eyes the effect of his journey. I could see that he was probably experiencing the same emotions the pioneers were feeling as he was on the trail about the same time of the year the pioneers would have been. He recited a poem called "How the West Was Won" and gave us his card. I pulled up his website only to find that this was one of more than a dozen "Odysseys" he has made since 1998. He records a daily journal entry and sure enough, the wind had a definite effect on his spirits. Visit his website and read his journal. One important thing you should know, NimbleWill Nomad is 77 years old and he started this journey April 28. I found a video on YouTube, definitely worth watching. I've included the video below. I love the way he shares the poetry. 

An excerpt from NimbleWill Nomad's Journal describing the day we met
Read the entire journal here: Odyssey 2014 Oregon National Historic Trail

Wednesday—June 18, 2014
Trap Day—51
Trail Mile—00.0/900.6
Location—Martin’s Cove by Devil’s Gate (short of Turkey Track Ranch)

The cold wind started blowing, bringing rain late night—yet another cold front driving through. I manage to doze again, but awake at first light, very cold. No more sleep till the sun arrives—which lasts 20-minutes. Got my fly fully rigged, so the interior of my tent warmed some.

A real ordeal breaking camp, what with my bum shoulder, and now sticks-for-fingers. I’m not pack up and trekking till nearly nine.

Gonna be another head down and grind it out day—with hands in my pockets to try keeping them from complaining too much.

Three more miles of Trail-under-road, then back to the highway on west to Independence Rock, and Devil’s Gate at Martin’s Grove.

The wind is blowing hard, 25-35, out of the northwest. I lean into it while trying to think positive thoughts. But with each passing eighteen-wheeler (and there are many), that process gets harder and harder as I struggle to stay upright and on the road shoulder. By the time I reach Independence Rock I’m fighting back tears—from the brutally cold wind—and my emotional fight with this disheartening day. Arriving Independence Rock was to be a time of exhilaration and celebration, not this. I take a few pictures, get a video of the flag being near ripped from its halyard, and I turn and move on, best I can, toward Martin’s Cove.

By Devil’s Gate, on the old highway, a car stops. I meet Jude (another BLM fellow) and Amanda. They both wish me well as they see me struggling against the unyielding wind. Thanks, Jude and Amanda, for stopping and for your kind encouragement!

View his video journals here: NimbleWill Nomad

We ended our day with a hike to the top of Devil's Gate. It was truly an adventure as we took a different path to minimize the effects of the wind. At the top, we have a nearly unobstructed view of the Sweetwater River as it passes through the canyon, in addition to the beautiful landscape views of the area. Because of the significant precipitation, there is actually green in the landscape, rather than the usual shades of brown.