Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

What an adventure I was taken on this time!  I was able to make a trip to Ethiopia in Africa.  This is my first time venturing onto this continent and I must say it is vastly different than anything else I've seen before.  I went to Addis Ababa with the Dunn family.  Olivia, the little girl holding the book, is getting adopted during this trip to Ethiopia.  After a very long process, Olivia will be able to join her new family in the USA.     

City view of Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

 A woman spinning her own thread

A typical street scene in Addis Ababa

This is one of the most unique meals I've ever eaten.  This is a table-sized tortilla.  All the rest of the food is placed on top of it and the whole thing is shared by the entire family.  You use pieces of the tortilla like a spoon to scoop up the other food.

The Dunn family will be returning again in August to adopt a little boy named Asher.  I have been invited to go back to Ethiopia when they go to get him.  Keep checking back to look for more pictures and stories about my travels on my second trip to Ethiopia.

Scotts Bluff, Nebraska

Since my classmates back home study Wyoming history and the Westward Movement trails all year long, I was ecstatic for the opportunity to travel to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to get a firsthand look at the Oregon Trail and Scotts Bluff National Monument.

Standing eight hundred feet above the North Platte River, Scotts Bluff has been a natural landmark for many peoples. It served as the path marker for four trails: the Oregon, California, Mormon, and Pony Express Trails.

Scotts Bluff National Monument preserves 3,000 acres of unusual land formations which rise over the otherwise flat prairieland below.

I love learning about the West!

I had so much fun with Sheila!

Did You Know?

Geologically speaking, the north face of Scotts Bluff National Monument shows the most geological history in the state of Nebraska.

I made friends with a mountain man!

What a great trip! Now it's time to drive home.

Fort Laramie, Wyoming

Fort Laramie, Wyoming

This “grand old post,” established as a private fur trading fort in 1834, witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance to encroachment on their territories. Indians, trappers, traders, missionaries, emigrants, gold seekers, soldiers, cowboys and homesteaders would leave their mark on a place that would become famous in the American West.

This military post was a welcome site for the pioneers--the first sign of civilization in six weeks. It was a unique respite from the endless wilderness.

Ft. Laramie marked the gateway to the Rocky Mountains. The emigrants were now one-third of the way to the Willamette. Here, they rested and regrouped. Some would give up the dream, turn around and go home. But most made the decision to push ahead.