Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, Baker City, OR

Sunday, Sept 3, 2017

Today we are headed to the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center which has special events this holiday weekend. There is a Wagon Encampment, a living history reenactment of a pioneer wagon train on the Oregon Trail.

This is the main facility which overlooks a large tract of land which still retains wagon tracks from the travelers on the
Oregon Trail.

Having our national senior pass meant no additional cost to attend.

Wagons circled with representatives at each one to describe a role in the wagon community.  The awnings made us think of RVer's.

These men told us about three different weapons, hunting for game for food and skins for trading.

Typical dress for a pioneer woman, the bonnet protecting from the sun.  It was hot today, and these folks were troopers to dress up when they could have been cooler.  The leather the men wore was also very warm for a day like today.

This man was pleased to tell us how he makes and/or repairs wagon wheels.  He said he could do a set of four wheels in a weeks work.  Very interesting.

Wagon wheel man, from Oregon.

These ladies offered us ham hocks and beans, and later, Bison stew prepared in dutch ovens.

Bison stew, very tasty!  Cooked over charcoal instead of buffalo chips.

The blacksmith, making heavy duty tent stakes for another participant in the wagon train.

And every wagon train could appreciate music at the end of a long day, which by the way, would be an average of 13 miles a day excluding the Sabbath.  1924 miles in 141 days.

Inside the facility, are numerous displays.  The Indian couple are three dimensional, with a painted backdrop.

A sheepherder moving along beside the cattle.  Almost everyone except the smallest children walked alongside, the wagon being filled with supplies to make the trip.  Imagine not being able to stop at a Walmart!  What they carried and obtained in the way of wild game was all they had.

And of course, under the circumstances, many died along the way, from accidents or illness, tainted food or water.

Trail guide, hunter, trader.

An example of artwork on display.  Can you imagine?  Must be rush hour.

Tic asked me if I could 'honk' his horn. Look at the size of this animal.

Photo of actual photo.  They don't look happy! I can't imagine traveling like this especially for months!

Our enactment folks said they would rarely be in their wagons.  They would typically sleep under or beside the wagon.

That is real leather on this mannequin.  Looks like he got a Ptarmigan.  Tastes like chicken!

This is an actual size replica of a stamping mill used in gold mining in this area.

Our stop in Baker, Oregon for the Labor Day weekend was a serendipity, finding the hell's canyon and this national interpretive center.  One of the better finds in our travels.