Oregon Trail Landmarks, Western Nebraska

Welcome to Chimney Rock National Historical Site - this was one of the major landmarks used by wagon trains on the Oregon Trail in western Nebraska
Old and New - there were no fences across the prairies during the westward movement in the mid to late 1800's, just miles and miles of nothing but "miles and miles". Chimney Rock was a tangible measure of their progress, however
Chimney Rock - the strange spire-like shape is caused by a hard layer of rock on top (called a capstone) which protects the softer rock layers below from eroding
Rattlesnake Country! - although one would be lucky to see a Rattlesnake on a 100 degree day like when we visited, they could very well be active in the early morning and late afternoon...but, then again, one could step on a Rattlesnake hiding in the shade of a rock or bush!
"I've Seen the Elephant!" - not everyone who made the cross-country trek finished it. Some died or were killed, of course, but others simply gave up, turned around, and went back "home"...this came to be known as "Seeing the Elephant", an indication that there was nothing else to be done
Mary at the Entrance to Scotts Bluff National Monument - Scotts Bluff is about 20 miles northwest of Chimney Rock. This was also one of the major landmarks used by wagon trains on the Oregon Trail
How Scotts Bluff Got Its Name - a sad commentary on the harsh life of the early explorers of this region
The Oregon Trail -
"Old Oregon Trail" Road - part of old Nebraska State Highway 92 is built on the former path of the Oregon Trail
The Oregon Trail - Mitchell Pass at Scotts Bluff...how many wagons do you think passed over this same point?
Scottsbluff, Nebraska - the town of Scottsbluff as seen from Scotts Bluff National Monument
Interpretive Sign for Chimney Rock at Scotts Bluff National Monument - although the two landmarks are only about 20 miles apart, together they guided many pioneers across the prairies in western Nebraska
Chimney Rock - as seen through the haze from Scotts Bluff National Monument, Chimney Rock is about 20 miles to the southeast
Western Kingbird #28 - near its nest in a pine tree at Scotts Bluff
Mule Deer #2 - it is easy to see how this animal got its name
Goatsbeard - although this looks like a Dandelion, it is in the Sunflower family...the puffy seed head is actually about 3+ inches across
Prairie Coneflower - a brilliant member of a large family
Yucca sp. - don't know its common name...comments on the ID are welcome