The Sand Creek Massacre Trail, Medicine Bow, and Laramie

Some of you might be wondering why we’re on this trip.   Well, like a lot of folks (a whole lot of folks, actually) we’re out here to see the eclipse.   We opted not to stay where there will be a 100% eclipse.   We’re down in Fort Collins for the next two days (in Colorado), where the eclipse will be about 96%.   That’s close enough for government work, as they say, and it got us through the area where the crowds will be the most intense.  You’d have to see what’s happening in Wyoming to believe it.   It’s a festive atmosphere, to be sure, and the businesses in the area are cashing in big time.  Some hotels are getting $1500 a night, and some places are charging $500 to pitch a tent.   Everything is completely sold out.  Wowee!

Seeing the eclipse is part of the reason for our trek; the other part was to drive through this great country and take in some of the sights.  We are succeeding magnificently.  We are having a blast.

We left Casper this morning and as we headed south on country roads there was literally no one going our way.  Traffic coming the other way, though, was close to nonstop.  There were cars and campers (and more than a few motorcycles), one after the other, all headed north from Colorado into Wyoming.  It reminded me of one of those science fiction movies where everybody is on the move.   It was cool.

We have seen literally hundreds of pronghorn antelope, lots of eagles, porcupines, deer, and more.   At our first spotting of an antelope when we entered Wyoming a few days ago we were very excited; today, we were used to them.   We saw one small herd after another without getting particularly excited.  I have a Kimber in .257 Roberts that is perfect for antelope, and someday I’ll be back for that reason.   This trip, though, it’s all about having a good time and getting some great photos.

I’ve already mentioned Yellowstone, Thermopolis, Shoshoni, and more.  Today, it was more of the Sand Creek Massacre Trail as we traveled through Medicine Bow, Laramie, several very small towns, and then it was the climb into the Colorado Rockies.  It was magnificent.  If you’ve never done this, trust me:  You need to.  Car or motorcycle, it’s a great trip with either.  I’ve done it on my RX3 and now I’ve done it in my Subaru.  Both are great.

Medicine Bow was awesome.  We went through Medicine Bow 2 years ago on the RX3s and I wanted to visit again.  After the Western America Adventure Ride, though, I thought the most likely outcome  was that I’d never see Medicine Bow again.  Well, today I did, and it was every bit as exciting as it was the first time.  It was great.  Sue and I enjoyed a great lunch in the Virginian Hotel bar.  It was beyond great.

Here are a few photos I grabbed earlier today…

On the Sand Creek Massacre Trail

The Virginian Hotel in Medicine Bow

Lunch with Susie in the Virginian…they make a killer chili!

A famous photo hanging in the Virginian Hotel bar…check out the signatures!

A mural in the Virginian Hotel bar

An out-of-business hotel sign in Laramie

A Chesterfield ad on an abandoned building in Laramie…it just makes you want to get out and ride!

So, tomorrow is the big day:  The eclipse.  I won’t photograph it (there will be plenty of people doing that and you’d find plenty of photos on the Internet), but I’ll be here experiencing it along with my best friend Susie.   Good times.

Later, folks!