Kevin – Saturday. We decided to spend a couple hours this morning attending a session at the Casper Wyoming LDS temple. Our session was at 8:30 so we were up early getting breakfast, getting dressed and then driving the few miles up the hill to the temple. It’s almost brand-new being open for only six months.
Afterwards, it’s a rush back to the RV to change clothes, while I get one more hour to improve on my presentation. And all too soon, it’s time to head back up to the Trails Center.
Kathleen is there again with her IT gentleman to get us hooked up. A quick test and everything is ready to go with enough time to spare.
Laura and Craig Andersen have joined us for the presentation. Laura is the Executive Director for the Mormon Battalion Association. She is instrumental in moving the legislation effort forward to get the Period of Significance extended for the Oregon and Mormon National Historic Trails. Laura spends a few minutes explaining the effort to the assembled multitude. As stated previously, that’s one of the key goals for this trek – to help promote the trails and get the time period for them extended. Stay Tuned for more information
In fact, we wind up with about 35 people at the presentation. Nearly a dozen of the youth and adults from the Platte Valley Bridge Civil War history group have joined us. It’s so wonderful to see youth interested in history. The fact that they get to shoot guns and cannons may be important motivations too.
View Kevin's Casper Presentation
After we’re done, we head outside to return the favor. Becky and Denny participated in a dance with the youth – Virginia Reel type frontier dancing. The group also demonstrated how they would load their muskets and fire them. Denny snagged one of the leaders to explain the Sibley tent.
The Sibley tent was a knock-off of the native tipi. According to the WIKI article about the Sibley tent, the updated design was used during the Utah War of 1856-57 and they were also used by some of the Mormon handcart groups. It was an excellent design. Watch the Battalion Trek YouTube Channel - Trek 2025 Playlist as we were able to interview the reenactor about the tents
The Army version could easily sleep 12 adult men. The Latter-Day Saint version could hold up to 20 it is claimed. Feet were to the center where a small fire could be made under a metal tripod that held up the center pole. With the shoulders being wider than the feet, the arrangement allowed to keep feet warm though the head got cold.
In the evening, we adjourn to a local Chinese restaurant for my birthday dinner. That’s 70 years down and in the bucket. What’s mildly uncomfortable to contemplate is that I’m in my eighth decade. That bucket of lists of things left to do is getting heavier by the year. Maybe if I ignore it, age will go away?