Sunday, July 12, 2009 - Thermopolis, WY, the long way around

First thing in the morning we all headed across town from the campground to the Hobo Pool at the hot springs in Saratoga. Since the campground is designed for "self-contained RVs" only, we had overlooked the fact that we haven't yet been using all the self-c0ntained aspects of the camper and were not ready to learn quickly.

But Saratoga, Wyoming, has a good deal for travelers in need of a place to relax, shower, or use the other usual facilities. Behind the Hobo Pool (the hot springs made into a sort of rustic "hot tub" (cement sides, but with the algae and sand on the bottom still)) are men and women's simple shower, sink, and toilet facilities. All of this is free and there are quite a few folks from all over taking advantage of the pool and the rest.

The route from Rawlins to Thermopolis can be done at least two ways; through Lander and/or Riverton, or through Casper and Shoshoni. We opted for the shorter route through Riverton. More on that decision later!

The terrain north of Rawlins is rather desolate in many ways. Although it has its own beauty, many might think the endless rolling red dirt hills (with larger hills in the distance) covered by sparse vegetation (mostly sagebrush) is too hot and lonely.

But we discovered a little "oasis" in all of this sameness.

July 11, 2009, Saturday - Laramie, Snowy Range

In the morning we breakfasted in Shair's Restuarant. Afterward we visited Aunt Jean Linde, Ethan's oldest living relative. She is ninety something. Aunt Jean told Kathy some stories. Like way her great aunt Florence McKillip going up to Alaska.

Then we visited Wyoming's Territorial Prison and broom factory.

Then we drove to and through the Snowy Range. Kathy was in fine form spotting prong horn deer. We visited summit tour, Lake Marie and the field with the trout stream. A lot of snow remains on the ground.

Then on to Saratoga where we camped at Deer Haven camp ground.

We spent the evening at the free Hobo hot springs pool.

Friday, July 10, 2009 - On the rocks

We started off the morning with a visit to Cabela's. This is the original location (Sidney, Nebraska), I believe. Ethan enjoyed looking at the diorama of wild animals and wanted to look at knives. He selected a beginner knife to try some carving in the campsite.

The original plan [o.k., Kathy's original timetable!] had been to arrive in the Laramie area on Thursday night. So we were already behind schedule. But it's a vacation, right?

We arrived over the Wyoming border in Pine Bluff. The guys, Chris and Ethan, also followed a trail leaving the rest area. This trail ended at an archaelogical site of a pioneer trash midden dated from 1880-1910. The underlying layers go back to 15,000 years before Christ.

Kathy read at the rest area and watched a family taping the son (grandson?) jumping on a pogo stick while they provided commentary. They are videotaping him pogoing in every state they travel through.

During the afternoon we finally arrived at one of our "featured" stops that Kathy considered a "must see" for Ethan. He is now the fifth generation of the Reid family (Kathy's family) that have enjoyed climbing on the rock formations at Vedauwoo, near Laramie. For some other nice photos and information about the recreational area, try these websites:

• www.wallpaperdave.com/vedauwoo.htm
• www.wyomingtourism.org/overview/Vedauwoo-Recreation/32151

Ethan demonstrated that he does have excellent balance and other athletic skills as he climbed, jumped, and slid his way up and down some of the formations. Although both Grandma and Grandpa did climb a short (I emphasize "short") way up at some places, their usual role was to monitor as our family mountain goat proceeded to make us feel old!

You might think the day was about over, but after driving into Laramie and obtaining a campsite at the KOA, we still had time to attend the carnival downtown (part of the Jubilee Days celebration) and then go to the movie! We picked Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs.

Thursday, July 9, 2009 - No place like home

Kathy and Chris arrived at Silver Lake last night at around 11 pm.

After two hours of visiting we finally got to bed around 1:30am.

We awoke around 7:30 am and got on the road by 8:30 am.

We drove north on highway 75 to highway 36, then west to Belleville.

On the way to Belleville, we stopped in Home, Kansas where we took pictures.

Our first stop in Belleville was the public library.

Ethan checked out three books and Chris asked directions to the Boyer Gallery.

After lunch at the park by a lake, we went to the Boyer Museum at 1pm.

Paul Boyer comes from a creative, artistic family.

For the past forty years, Paul Boyer has created whimsical men, women and animals animated hundreds of delicate metal wires moved by small electrical motors.

Ethan was inspired to make his own creations.

[Ethan's note--I am going to post pics and videos.I mite sell sume!!!!!!!!!!!!!!]

At 2:10 we drove north again to I-80.

We drove west on I-80 to Sidney, Nebraska where we camped at the original Cabella's.