Combining a love for travel, history and
adventure, Gerald and Julia White from Alabama are traveling the
Oregon Trail with a covered wagon. Their journey
began in May 2005 in Blue Rapids, Kansas and they hope to reach
Portland, Oregon by fall.
We met in Gilead, Nebraska, on Byway 136,
where they were experiencing wheel problems, known today as a
flat tire. Gerald and Julia told of their preparations for the
trip by reading and studying books on the history of the
Oregon Trail, The Big Blue and Little Blue Rivers, and of their
experiences camping as they go and yes, hardships. They say it
isn’t always easy to find a place suitable for their 2 mules
Jerry and Hercules.
Julia rides ahead as the scout for the next night of camping and
keeps a journal as they go, averaging around 20 miles a day. She
reports having met some very wonderful people, and surely they
will meet a lot more on their Great Oregon Trail Adventure. If
you happen to see them on your adventure along the
Oregon Trail, wish them well.
Byway 136, Heritage Highway along the
southern border of Nebraska, holds an adventure for all of us
around every turn. You will find it steeped in history as you
travel through countryside and towns made popular by singers,
songwriters, authors, cowboys & Indians, with tales of Wild Bill
Hickock, Jesse James, Willa Cather & Chief Red Cloud to name a
few. Visit the tall grass prairie at Homestead National Monument
& experience “cowboy ways” at Rock Creek Station. A visit to
the local museum is a must see for the “history traveler” and
most towns support wonderful local displays of the pioneers in
the area. Nearly every town offers very affordable camping in
local city parks or state recreation areas, so pack up and
“hit the real trail to adventure land”
We have added several new towns along byway
136 just North and a little west of Hebron on the Oregon Trail
that celebrate The Oregon Trail history & related events.
Visit the nearby towns of Deshler,
Oak and Davenport, Nebraska by clicking on Deshler at the
bottom of this page.
Oak, NE is widely known for the annual Pony Express yearly
re-ride. Oak is also the site of a pioneer massacre over 100
years ago. Just a few miles from town, the original cabin is
still standing near a monument to those that died in the
massacre. Oak will celebrate Oregon Trail Days this year on
August 6th. This only happens once every 4 years,
so mark your calendars and plan to vist Oak, Nebraska on August
6th.
In Auburn, the Farmer’s Market
at the fairgrounds is nearing the seasons end. It
is open Saturday mornings
until it closes for the season on the 15th.
The orchards from Nebraska City to Brownville
also sell “fresh picked” apples & cider
Street Rods Classic Car Show
at Legion Park on October 7th.
Concession stands, live music and classic cars, art
and shopping provide great hometown entertainment
for a Saturday afternoon at the park. Later in
October Spookfest In The Park attracts
young & old alike 