1 week ago
Friday, July 25, 2008
We made a short trip to Evanston Wyoming. It's only about an hour and a half drive from where we are. Our friend Mel, Ofelia & her daughter came with us. We had fun though it was short. On our way there, we drove through the Echo Canyon & Road to Zion. The view is beautiful and was much enjoyed!
Once we arrived in Evanston, we stopped at the Uinta County Museum. They have a lot of old stuffs. Uinta County is the crossroads of the country's major cross-country routes-- from the pioneer trails of the 19th century, to the overland stage and Pony Express routes, to the transcontinental railroad, to the nation's first coast-to-coast auto route, the Lincoln Highway, in the early 20th century.Our next stop was the Chinese Joss House Museum. The Chinese Joss House Museum tells the story of the Chinese immigrants who lived and worked in Uinta County from the 1870s through the 1930s.
The collection features a scale model of Evanston's Chinatown, archaeological discoveries from the location, historic photographs, and artifacts from the late 19th and early 20th century.
Historic Depot Square
The Union Pacific Passenger Depot was constructed in 1900, replacing a wooden structure just to the northwest. The building is architecturally unique among depots on the UP line in Wyoming. On the inside were separate waiting rooms for men and women. The Depot served passengers until Amtrak service was discontinued in Wyoming. This public building now is used for community events and parties.
Bear River Sate Park & Bear River Greenway
The Bear River Greenway is located off Interstate 80 and Bear River Drive, on the east end of Evanston, Wyoming. The main greenway trail extends over 2 miles along the banks of the Bear River connecting Evanston’s historic downtown, along a “Ribbon of Green” east, to the Bear River State Park.
All ages and abilities can walk, jog and bike the greenway trail starting at the main entryway off Bear River Drive, at the adjacent ”Bear Meadows” river access parking lot, or by continuing into the park to the BEAR Community Center next to the historic Ice Ponds. The Ice Ponds can be seen from I-80 and are the center of year round activity including summer fishing, boating and crawdad catching and Ice Skating in the winter on the Ice Ponds that were harvested by the Union Pacific Railroad for box car refrigeration in the early 1900’s.
Continuing east along the main trail visitors can take the Debbie Smith Bridge to Hamblin City Park, the Uinta County Fairgrounds, or stop on the bridge and overlook the recently completed Bear River Rehabilitation Project that has resulted in a new White Water Park and improved fishing along the River. The main trail continues past a still water slough area that connects with interpretative nature trails and areas to view a variety of bird species and wildlife, including resident Moose and Deer.
The “Bear Tales” Fire Circle is next up along the trail with amphitheater seating for outdoor classes and community programs. The main trail then crosses the Bear River at Historic Red Bridge where more white water structures can be viewed along a stretch of river channel improvements as you look upstream to the Uinta Mountains. The trail passes under I-80 to Duncomb Hollow where you enter the Bear River State Park that offers more nature trails, picnic areas, live Elk and Buffalo exhibits and a State of Wyoming Travel and Information Center.
