Wyoming 2012

August 31, 2012

Capital where Richard worked

Had breakfast with Penny & Richard, then I went shopping and Bobby played golf with some of Richard’s friends.   Penny & Richard went to Denver to celebrate their granddaughter’s birthday.   They were gone all day, so we had their house to ourselves.   

After golf went downtown and say the capital and depot areas.  Afterwards we came home, did laundry and watched TV.   Tomorrow we head to Boulder, CO

August 30, 2012

One of many boots in Cheyenne

Left Laramie around 8:00 and headed to Cheyenne.   Arrived at Penny & Richard’s around 10:30 AM and spent the remaining morning catching up.   Then they took us on a tour of Cheyenne.  Went to the Golf course and saw Jim & Beckie (friends of Penny & Richard/Mike & Sally).   It was fun catching up on what’s happened to them since we saw them over a year ago.

We then came home and had steak dinner.  Penny & Richard’s neighbors (Bruce & Renee) joined us, what fun they are.   We spent the night in their upstairs bedroom.   Long time since we stayed in a house!   LOL.   By the way, their home is so LOVELY!   Now I know why she hates leaving it to come to Havasu!

August 29, 2012

Wyoming Territorial Prison

Left Guernsey and headed to Laramie.   Got there around 11:30, parked the coach out at the Walmart and then drove back into town to find the prison.   We took the self-guided tour, very interesting place.  Was fun to see some of the names of inmates and why they were imprisoned, they tell you via posters.   One of the most famous was Butch Cassidy.

Broom Factory at the prison

We then went to the Elks, met up with Gunta & Joe, friends of Mike & Sally’s.   It’s such a small place.  Then we went to the college to view the museum, only to find out it was closed.   Walked around, it’s a beautiful campus.  Head back to the coach, rented a movie (mirror mirror).

August 28, 2012

Ft Laramie

We played 18 holes of golf at the Trails Ruts Golf course, very nice 9 hole course.   It was interesting to realize that the Oregon Trail used to run right thru the middle of this course.

Ft Laramie

Afterwards we went to Ft Laramie and toured the old fort.   They’ve done a great job at restoring the old buildings.  

Later in the evening we went and found the cliff registry and Oregon ruts. Then we came home and watched a Harry Potter movie.   Tomorrow we head to Laramie.

August 27, 2012

Museum in Gillette, Wy

Today we are heading to Gillette and from there will try to make Douglas, WY.   Got to Moorcroft and had breakfast, extremely small town but the restaurant had good food.   We then continued on to Gillette, where we parked the coach at Walmart and then headed to the Rock Pile Museum.   Very interesting stuff....it's amazing what we see in these museums.  Granted it's some of the same stuff each time, but usually we see something we've never seen before.   Today, it was a round cooler, today we call them refrigerators!

They had two buildings to tour, the main one had all sorts of stuff, where the other building had printing machines, an old car and an old home.  

Tire at Coal Mine...cost $38,000

Afterwards we drove out the mining company hoping to get a tour, but they stopped on the 17th.  Just our luck.  We did drive to the overlook and were able to see some of the machines at work.  One of the most fascinating things is the amount of coal cars we saw on the tracks today.   Thousands!

We went back to the coach, went over to Walmart and I bought shampoo, razor & hair gel.  Bobby bought a Jimmie Johnson shirt for $11.   Best deal of the day.

Cliff Registry

Now we'll head towards Douglas, along the way tried to find an rv park but no luck, so we continued onto Guernsey, WY.  Went to the State Park, all they had left was elec/water sites, she suggested we come to the golf/rv park in town, so we did.   They only have elec/water also, but we'll stay for 2 days.

Along hwy 59, we saw the railroad tracks, biggest we've ever seen.  Their were 4 sets, side by side.  The trains were stacked up, not sure if there was a problem or what.  Each train must carry over 100 coal cars.   That's the only cargo we saw on the trip from Gillette to Guernsey.

Oregon trail ruts

We wanted to stay at the State Campground but ranger told us to go into town to Trail Golf & RV resort since we wanted full hook ups, as those site at the state campground were full.   Low and behold, this resort only has electric & water.   We decided to stay for 2 nights.   Close to the sites I want to see.

Tomorrow we'll see Ft Laramie Historical site, Oregon Trail Ruts, plus other stuff.   Might even get in a game of golf.

August 26, 2012

On walk around the Tower

Sundance the Kid memorial

Got up and headed to the visitor’s center, we’re walking the trail around the mountain.   It’s a fairly easy walk that’s just under 1 ½ miles in length.   Along the way there are many opportunities to view this magnificent tower and watch the climber ascend and descend the mountain.   They are braver than I am!

We then drove to Sundance, Wy….this is the town that Sundance the kid spent 18 months in jail and got his name.   Since it was Sunday, everything was closed….too bad, as I would like to have seen the museum and jail where he stayed.

We then drove out to Keyhole reservoir.  Not much to see so continued on home.   This afternoon, we might go for another walk around the tower or around the campground.   Tomorrow think we’ll head towards Gillette, WY.

August 25, 2012

Standing on Center of Nation plaque

Left Rapid City around 8:00 AM and head west towards Belle Fourche, SD.   We stopped about 2 miles from Belle Fouche and ate breakfast at a small café.   Food was very good.  

We then continued on into town to find the center of the nation plaque.   We accidently drove past it so unhooked the car so we could turn around.  If you ever go here to see this, it’s at the museum just before you cross the river.   It was well worth the time and effort to come here.   The plaque is very interest and well done.   There is an old log cabin on the grounds that is very interesting to go thru.   However the museum was the highlight.   It features stuff from the late 1800’s, stuff that Bobby & I had not seen before, or had not seen in a very long time.

Store in Aladdin, WY

We then headed back south to turn on hwy 34 which will take us to a town called Aladdin, WY.   It has a population of 15 so not sure how it survives.   The only attraction is the store….it has everything from groceries, drugs, antiques, clothes (new), trinkets, liquor store and a post office.

Devils Tower

From there we headed to Huelett, WY which is only 9 miles from Devils Tower.   About 5 miles outside of Huelett, you can see the Devils Tower.   It’s massive in size.  We finally arrive around 2:30, go to the National Park Campground and pick out our spot.   Have a view of the tower out the front window.   Since Bobby has a golden pass, campground is only $6 a night (no hookups).   What a bargain.

Ate a late lunch and then went to the visitor’s center.   Decided we’d walk around the tower tomorrow morning first thing.

Went back to motorhome, played cribbage with Bobby (he beat me 3 or of 5 games, in fact skunked me so it counted for 2 games).   I then went to take pics of the prairie dogs (so cute) and the turkeys (12 of them).