The Adventure Starts HERE.
Chugwater Station
It's but a small marker with a few words, yet imagine the
history behind this virtual cache. To locate this spot, I traveled
on a two-wheeled "horse" from Cheyenne to Chugwater in 40 minutes
on a route that likely took the original "travelers" 2 days.
Imagine the slower pace of days gone by when one could admire a
coyote in the distance for ten minutes instead of seeing one as a
blur in the passenger's side window.
From the Carlin
Cache to Pole
Creek Ranch to the Little
Bear Station Cache to this stop in Chugwater, life in the Old
West certainly left time for introspection.
Wondering where the town name "Chugwater" came from? To harvest
the numerous bison that used to inhabit the plains, Native
Americans used to force the animals over the steep cliffs located
nearby. "Chugwater" is named for the sound the bison made while
falling over the cliffs. Chugwater
History.
Also know for it's famous Chugwater Chili.
In Niobrara County, there are more of the Stage monuments caches.
They are:
Mother
Featherlegs (it was not a stage stop, but is on the Stage
route, near Rawhide Butte Stage Stop. The actual stage stop is on a
ranch near by, but no monument nor remains of the stop are there
>> sigh.)
Hat
Creek Stage Stop (There is a marker and the building is still
standing. It is sometimes used as a ranch house and the folks that
own the property keep a good eye on the place. Pat Wade will be
glad to answer any questions you have about the place also.)
Each time I see these markers, I gain a deeper appreciation for
all of the people who worked so hard to give us the comforts we
enjoy today.
Congratulations to the first finder, 3/4
Irish!