Adventures
Old Chief Joseph Gravesite and Cemetery
Tuekakas, commonly known as Old Chief Joseph, was a leader of the Wallowa Band of the Nez Perce who lived from approximately 1785 to 1871. He was among the first of his people to convert to Christianity and initially supported peaceful relations with white settlers, even aiding in the establishment of a large Nez Perce reservation in 1855 that included the Wallowa Valley. However, his views changed drastically after the 1863 treaty, which significantly reduced the reservation lands, excluding their sacred Wallowa homeland, which he felt was a betrayal. Consequently, Old Chief Joseph refused to recognize this new treaty, condemned the United States, and resolved to remain in the Wallowa Valley with his band. He was the father of the later famous Chief Joseph.
National Historic Oregon Trail, Baker City, Oregon
The National Historic Oregon Trail is a significant route in American history that stretches approximately 2,170 miles from Independence, Missouri, to Oregon City, Oregon.
In the 19th century, particularly from the 1840s to the 1860s, the Oregon Trail was one of the main overland migration routes on which hundreds of thousands of American pioneers traveled westward. They sought new opportunities, land under the provisions of the Donation Land Claim Act, and to escape economic hardship in the East.
Travelers faced a grueling journey that could take up to six months. They navigated various terrains, including prairies, mountains (like the Rockies), and deserts, facing challenges like river crossings, diseases, and conflicts with Native American tribes.
The trail facilitated the settlement of the American West, significantly contributing to the expansion of the United States. It led to the establishment of many towns, the spread of American culture westward, and the displacement of Native American populations.
Custer City Ghost Town, Custer, Idaho
Custer City is a ghost town in Custer County, Idaho, founded in 1879 as a mining town. It was named after General George Armstrong Custer. The town experienced a boom in the early 1880s when gold and silver were discovered, and its population grew to nearly 1,000. However, the mines eventually played out, and by the early 1900s, the town was mostly abandoned. Custer was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1981. Today, it is a popular tourist destination with well-preserved buildings such as an old saloon, a jail, and several residences. Visitors can explore the old mines, the cemetery, the surrounding mountains, and the nearby Yankee Fork Gold Dredge. Custer serves as a reminder of Idaho's mining past and how quickly fortunes can change. It is part of the Land of the Yankee Fork Historic Area.
Kayaking with Turtles - Hale’iwa, Oahu, Hawaii
A favorite activity of our trip to O'ahu was kayaking with sea turtles in Hale'iwa with Coastal Kayak Tours. The morning we arrived, the bay was filled with sea turtles feeding. Once we got on the water, we were surrounded by turtles. They would come up for air feet from our kayaks before diving down to feed. The experience was truly magical.
After our time with the turtles, we paddled up the Anahulu River while our guide shared with us the history of the Hawaiian people, their culture, and what made Hawaii what it is today. He also shared some online resources with us if you want to know more.
Hawaii and the Rise of Kamehameha: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJAJLrqzHmY&ab_channel=RAINBOWTOA
The Voyage of the Hokule'a: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X24aPIX0NJo&ab_channel=ThisOldVideo2
Princess Kaiulani: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Princess_Kaiulani_(film)
Kon-Tiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kon-Tiki_(2012_film)
Pearl Harbor - Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii
Pearl Harbor has several areas you can visit. The USS Missouri Battleship and the USS Arizona Memorial are the most popular locations, but the Air Museum and Bowfin submarine are also neat places to visit. So much history in such a compact area makes it easy to feel overwhelmed if you try to take it all in. We managed to take in most of this experience, but we cut short our walking tour of the air museum to get some lunch.