Baker City and the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center, September 5, 2015

Just outside Baker City is the Oregon Trail Interpretive Center.  They were having a special encampment event for Labor Day Weekend and although the day was cold and raining, it was something that we couldn't pass up.

The exhibit is very will presented  and the replicas are very lifelike and realistic. The young children really seemed to enjoy it. Docents all dressed in period costumes, including some children.  The history of the Oregon Trail was  well documented and detailed.  Growing up in California, my schooling focused on the Donner Party and very little on the the other folks who traveled the Oregon Trail.

Just a few of the life size exhibits. All of the exhibits had audio narratives.

Outside were live oxen.  Did you know Oxen is not a breed but a term used for a beast that has been trained to work.  Oxen includes cows, water buffalo, or even yak. These guys are a special large Swiss breed. They travel all over for various exhibits.

 The owner is keeping a sharp eye on the Oxen and he children.  The photo really doesn't show how big these guys were. They are over a ton in weight.

There was also a black smith exhibit. The black smith is stoking up the fire with a hand crank that blows smoke under the coals to make them hotter.

 Each takes a turn hitting the iron is a rhythm.  The black smith hits the iron in the exact spot he wants to forge and the others follow hitting in the same spot.

 The anvils used are over 100 years old.

The end product will be a spatula.

Very interesting and informative.  Best of all, because it was a special event, it was free.  Your tax dollars at work !

Baker City marks our turning point south.  From now on we will slowly migrate to New Mexico so we can be in ABQ before 9/30 for the Balloon Fiesta.  So far, stops and routes along the way are in jello, so stay tuned.