mother or child. T ese settlers


could not have known how diff erent the travel would be a mere 160 years


aſt er


their incredible sacrifi ce. As we


drive along now in our comfortable truck cab and knowing that we tow our home with all the comforts and conveniences we desire, I look to the landscape alongside us as we drive and see the ghosts of our fore-travelers. T eir shadows look back at me, faces brooding with a mix of hope and weariness. Apart from the many historic monuments along the way,


the National Historic Oregon Trail Interpretive Center is a wonderful place to experience the history of the trail (www.blm. gov/or/oregontrail). It is located fi ve miles east of Baker City, Oregon, on Highway 86; Exit 302 on Interstate 84; 125 miles northwest of Boise, Idaho; 95 miles southeast of Pendleton, Oregon. T is Center is a 23,000-square-foot complex, which houses the stories of the Oregon Trail participants. T ere are exhibits, special events and dramatic performances, which bring the era to life. T e original interpretive wilderness trails and Oregon Trail “ruts” are maintained and preserved by the Bureau of Land Management and a volunteer group called Trail Tenders Inc. Baker City itself also boasts an historic downtown area,


which has preserved the old west as it was. “If y’all can stay for a stretch”, there are two RV parks located in good proximity to enjoy all that the area has to off er: Mt. View Holiday Trav-L- Park (www.mtviewrv.com) and Oregon Trails West RV Park (www.traveloregon.com). If your schedule doesn’t permit a long visit, make a point of


stopping briefl y at one or more of the Oregon Trail Landmark rest areas along the highway. T ese rest areas are marked with a brown sign displaying a covered wagon. It takes only a few minutes to read the journal excerpts, which are posted, but their impact may stay with you for much longer. Stop and have a visit with the original RVers! e


RVT 156 • NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2013 15


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