try to help Chewy to understand us...

hu·mor /ˈhyumər or, often, ˈyu-/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[hyoo-mer or, often, yoo-] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation –noun

1.	a comic, absurd, or incongruous quality causing amusement: the humor of a situation.

WHO WILL BE

MY 10,000th VISITOR?

Fort Caspar

Aunt Goldie and I toured a reconstructed 1865 military post which was located at a major river crossing on the Oregon, California, Mormon Pioneer, Pony Express, (previous post shows an interpretive center of that) and transcontinental telegraph trail corridor.

We toured through this newly revamped museum that features exhibits on prehistoric peoples, Plains Indians, ranching, the energy industry, and the City of Casper as well as the western emigrant trails and frontier army.

Ft. Caspar was recently remodeled and new exhitibs were added. These new exhibits include topics such as Prehistoric Central Wyoming, Natrona County Community Development and 100 Years of Casper History, the Oil and Gas Industry, Central Wyoming Agriculture, Fort History, and Historic Trail Features associated with the site.

Here we go!

Interesting Navy exhibit!


Native American pottery and baskets...

and their clothes...(sorry about the flashes)
Communications...


I found this next section particularly interesting, as my father worked in what was used to be known as the Amoco Refinery...long before I was even a thought! Aunt Goldie's husband worked and retired from this company!


I have an aunt and uncle that still run a business supporting the oil field...

It used to be a town of almost 20,000...now it is about 300 people.

Outside, we found displays of the Native American's teepees...

and the Army Fort.

Signs outside described each building...

with neat displays inside.
After we went to the museum, we went home and packed our dinner picnic so we could go to the patriotic concert in the park. We had some unexpected guests. By the time we left (and Goldie fed them her cookies) there were 6 of these fine-feathered friends at our table!

And the concert brought tears to my eyes as they acknowledged the Veterans in the audience. Our ears were filled with an hour's worth of patriotic music...

and our eyes were filled with this lovely little girl who pranced around freely, acting out each song. She was so darling. Her little brother was there and sometimes she even got him to tango with her! lol


And the next morning, I had to say "goodbye" to my dear Auntie. Thanks for a wonderful week!
Next up...seeing my dear friend of 25 years and visiting M&M family one last time!

After I left Ed and Cathy...

I went and stayed 5 days with my Aunt Goldie. She's so dang cute! We went to an interpretive center of the California, Oregon, Mormon Trails and the Pony Express.

Here's Aunt Goldie with her Trapper Boyfriend...as she referred to him! lol
Although the museum was about the white settlers and their westward expansion, it did speak of the impact on the Native Americans. I LOVED this flag made of buffalo skin.

and the settlers point of view...


California goldrush trail...

Here we are in a covered wagon. We got to experience "riding across the river" in it! lol
It moved and shook as some "guy" led the oxen across the North Platte and that guy up there on the horse kept cussing at the dang river and telling us, "Whatever you do, DON"T stand up!"

Here's a map of the Oregon Trail...to find all that land to farm!

Goldie found herself another man. Woah!


It spoke of all the hardships they encountered...day after day for months doing the exact same thing...and dealing with the death of the loved ones along the way.

Repairs to the wagon...

Journaling...

Knowing there isn't enough food for all the trailsmen and his tribesman...
Pony Express...It took 10 days to carry mail, on a running horse...

The interpretive center was great, we had a good time. That afternoon, we headed to go see my niece Melissa and great nieces Mikayla and Madison.
Here they are, showing me their lavender room!
They have such a nice house! Monte and Melissa painted the whole thing!

Here is M&Ms bedroom. I just love the mint green and brown...reminds me of thin mints!


Here's their awesome kitchen...Melissa, how do you keep your house so clean?

Monte is finishing the basement...doing it all himself! Here's the girls play corner!

And us...we had a wonderful visit. Cool that Mikayla and Madison got to see the Great Great Aunt Goldie! And I just love Melissa! You'll be seeing this cute little family again!
More to come of my visit with Aunt Goldie!