Nebraska

During the 1864 Indian Wars, Ft Kearny was a refuge for the Pioneers as well as a place to get supplies.

Here is some more information on Fort Kearny with some Teaching Activities linked at the bottom of the page: http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0400/frameset_reset.html?http://www.nebraskastudies.org/0400/stories/0401_0135.html

Truth and Legend behind Susan Hailes death. She shares a birthplace with the Pedaling Pioneer!

Here is a link to some extensive information on Susan Haile from the Adams County Historical Society: http://www.adamshistory.org/index.php?Itemid=42&id=39&option=com_content&task=view 

James Butler Hickock becomes “Wild Bill” at Rock Creek Station.

One of the many “Road Ranches” and Pony Express Stations that served as re-supply for the Pioneers.

Please do not try this at home! The torrential currents on rivers are dangerous! Never attempt this without a trained wagon train master, and a team of oxen….

The buffalo was an essential part of Native American life, used in everything from religious rituals to teepee construction.  Watch and learn with this great video from the History Channel: http://www.history.com/topics/westward-expansion/videos#the-buffalo-and-native-americans

Since we are cooking with buffalo dung, lets learn about how buffalo were nearly brought to extinction with this History Channel video: http://www.history.com/shows/america-the-story-of-us/videos/american-buffalo?m=5189719baf036&s=All&f=1&free=false

ABOVE: Even after the Oregon Trail era, settlers in Nebraska used buffalo and cow dung to cook with—because the dried chips burned so well. Read more about it here: http://www.america101.us/trail/buffalo.html

Read about what it was like at a pioneer campsite from around 6:00pm to 9:00 pm, which is when most crashed for the night: http://www.america101.us/trail/Camping.html