In August of 2023, I drove north from Denver to Cheyenne, spent the night and drove west nearly all the way across the state, turning north to go to Idaho and complete my pilgrimage to visit all 50 states. In an ideal world Wyoming would have been the last state for me to visit, because alphabetically it is the last state, but the routing just didn't work out. Wyoming was an add on to a work trip, meetings in Denver that I needed to attend.
The Interstate Highway runs east to west in a nearly straight line, with a gentle roll in the landscape for well over 200 miles. Going west I got off the main roads and drove the back roads to the south, through more mountains, climbing to over 10,000 feet in elevation. It was spectacular.
In a very desolate way, this is a very pretty part of the world.
Glad I have been there, though I would be happy to return, I very much doubt that I will ever return.
And that is 50 states, but there are 52 weeks, onto a territory and district to round out the year.
The photo in your rear view mirror is rather nice.
ReplyDeleteAnd a rather large mountain in the mirror.
DeleteIn your relatings of the 50 states, I decided to count up how many states I’ve been to. My count is 39, and it will probably stay that way. My only time in Wyoming, I think, was when we drove from Irvine, CA to Pierre, SD on our way to Spain (well, sort of on our way to Spain).
ReplyDeleteA good place to drive through, that is a very long drive.
DeleteWe did it over three days. First night Las Vegas, where we won. And second night I just remembered was in Rawlins, Wyoming!
DeleteI take that back. It was Evanston!
DeleteI had plans for a road trip in Wyoming and Montana but then COVID came along and those plans have been locked away - probably for good. How I would love to stay for a long summer week in that cabin by the water in your third picture.
ReplyDeleteTourism is down, there may be some bargains in international travel.
DeleteTrump and ICE and now checking one's social media histories. There are plenty of good reasons not to holiday in America. Such a shame as I am essentially an Americophile.
DeleteI once drove through the bottom part of Wyoming when I was done with a job interview in Santa Fe. I went north through Colorado, then into Wyoming, down in Salt Lake City and across the flatlands into Nevada and the back to California. I like the little bit of Wyoming that I saw, the rugged mountains and the green fields--it was that time of year.
ReplyDeleteAnd because of "Close Encounters" I'd like to see Devil's Tower in person.
You did take the long way home that trip.
DeleteI can't remember if I have ever driven through there on the way to somewhere else, but I don't think so!
ReplyDeleteSomeday when you are in the mood for a long quiet drive, try it.
DeleteMy memories of Wyoming are all just about like your third photo. Lots of prairies and mountains.
ReplyDeleteThat was most of what I saw,
DeleteYipppppee yi yo ki yay, get along little doggie, get along!!!! Never been, and I don't own a ten-gallon hat.
ReplyDeleteWhat do cowboy hats and hemorrhoids have in common?
DeleteSooner or later every asshole has one.
When I was in grade school. I didn't think people in Wyoming drove cars, and rode a horse every where. I want to move there. Now I think it would be quite windy.
ReplyDeleteOne of my grandfathers only reluctantly gave up horses and mules on his farm. If he had his preference, he never would have.
DeleteWyoming gets a bad rap because of it's politics but parts of it are truly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteA lot of places I avoid the politics and enjoy the countryside.
DeleteRight wing folks here in AZ often talk of WY as a safe haven to retire to as away from all them dang liberal types. I wish these right wing oldsters luck living in higher elevations and much colder climes at 70yo.
ReplyDelete