Emersyn did her big study of the Westward Expansion at the end of 5th grade. See Westward Expansion. As I was reading her paper about traveling West past Chimney Rock, I realized I haven’t taken my kids to Chimney Rock. It is about 30 minutes from Grandma/pa’s house and it has just always been there – something you drive by. I didn’t even know there was a museum (not there when I was a kid).

Eleri’s favorite exhibit was the interactive wagon. Bags of rice, salt, coffee and other items were available to load a wagon. The wagon scale would let you know when it was overloaded.

Having done the Westward Expansion game at school, Emersyn was very practical about her packing – no dresser, food was more important. No coffee as rice would be needed on the trail. Jim did not agree with that one!

We walked around the various exhibits, watch a short video and purchased some books in the gift shop.

On the way home, we decided to stop at the Scottsbluff Monument. Again, something we drive by when we take the back road home. We drove to the top to see the view over the valley – first time with the girls. Jim and I had walked up the trail one winter, but had to turn around due to too much snow.

We walked out to the covered wagons. Both girls were surprised how tall the wagon stood. Eleri wasn’t even as tall as the wheel. To look in, both girls had to be picked up.

We did a quick tour of the museum. It was 4th of July and Grandpa had to get home to get his homemade ice cream started for tonight’s celebration. We did stop for a quick look and photo at the entry signs. Grandpa did these walls and signs during his working days.