Leaving Rock Springs. We did not encounter anything extraordinary... Saw many windmills in various locations, atop higher ground, looking like crippled spiders..
The further West we drove, the rockier the terrain became. We named these rocks “The Three Sisters.” No reason why. A sure sign of approaching the forbidding, majestic Rockies ...
We decided to visit Fort Bridger, since it was practically on our path.
Fort Bridger, Wyoming
Fort Bridger was built in 1842-43 by mountain men Jim Bridger and Louis Vasquez. The first “fort” was nothing more than two log houses about 40f long, joined by a pen for horses and a small blacksmith shop. During the oncoming years the camp grew so that by 1858 the fort had developed into an important resupply station for early western pioneers. Wagon repairs, trail directions, food supplies, animal replacements, ammunition and liquor were available for a price. The fort ownership remained unchallenged until the arrival in 1847 of the Mormon pioneers, who settled 104 miles southwest of the fort in the Salt Lake Valley.
Reports of liquor and ammunition being sold to the Indians near the fort reached Brigham Young as early as 1848. This practice was in violation of federal law, and Brigham Young, as federal Indian agent, was determined to stop the practice. In August of 1853 a Utah territorial (Mormon) group of forty-eight men started for Fort Bridger from Salt Lake City. Jim Bridger was warned and escaped minutes before the group arrived. They discovered ample liquor which they destroyed, but found no ammunition. This was the start of the so-called Utah War.
And soon we were in Utah!
We took a small detour to Heber City to see what it might have to offer. How about more beautiful scenery, including a large reservoir for water sports. What else would you need?
Uh-oh, is Happy Valley under a cloud?
GO TO NO-TRAVEL DAY 1
SALT LAKE CITY, FRIENDS
MUSEUM OF ANCIENT LIVING
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