WYOMING: Land of Warm Pine (Yum!)

Wyoming roads are wonderful! I love these little highways where I'm often the only one driving. The speed limit is 70mph and I'm tootling down the road admiring the scenery and watching for wildlife at 45-55mph. Why speed if you don't have to? 

Wyoming has a copious amounts of wildlife warning signs. My favorite is the electrical light show with flashers that exclaim, "DO NOT STOP AND LOOK AT BEARS!" I admit if this sign wasn't there and I saw a bear, I'd be stopping! I spoke to a ranger and she told me idiots stop in the middle of the highway usually just after a curve! Hard to believe people are that stupid, but I'm not surprised. I would at least have sense enough to park on the side rather than in the middle of the lane. Unfortunately, every time I'd see one of these signs I was convinced a bear was near so for the next hour I'd scan the horizon looking. This is a driving hazard, one of those "distractions" I'm trying to avoid. I've seen white-tailed deer, antelope and a lot of elk, but no moose or bear. Lots of horses, too! Every backyard has a horse!

My first stop was Rock Springs. Highway 191 between Flaming Gorge and Interstate 80 was GORGEOUS! The only reason for my Rock Springs visit was the so-called health food store I found online. I went to two different addresses...must be out of business. Very frustrating. I did see a Taco Time. I haven't seen a Taco Time in at least fifteen years. Oh how I used to love their burritos! My justification was I was out of food and these little towns don't have healthy options so what the hell? It would have been my first time eating gluten in ages so I resisted. For now.

I continued north on 191 which had many historic landmark pullouts designating the Oregon Trail route. Yep, wagon trains drove through here using geological landmarks to keep on the correct route. Amazing.

Along the way I stopped to see the ghost town South Pass City. In 1966 it became an historic landmark so it was well-preserved and maintained. Although the buildings were locked, one could see inside and they went to great effort to furnish and decorate each building with period objects. Loved the grocery store with all the old cans of food and fabric.

Lander was next on the route. Beautiful town with gorgeous old houses! My bank is also in Lander (all over Wyoming actually!) The Safeway had a scanty selection of organic or gluten-free, but mostly junk I shouldn't eat. No food: No stay.

On the way out of town I passed a Ford dealership and thought I'd attempt to see if they would disconnect my broken seat heater that comes on whenever and manages to set my butt on fire. Other dealerships refused and would only give me the cost of repairs. This involves removing the whole seat so it's quite spendy. Nope. Not doing that. After much discussion and warnings, they made me an appointment for the next morning. This means I'd have to stay overnight and Lander has free camping at their city park! Beautiful little park with a jogging trail that runs parallel to the creek. I parked right next to the creek. The bathrooms were, unfortunately, out of order. It was quiet and peaceful with only the babbling creek for company. I awoke to rain.

Ford disconnected my seat heater! When I asked how much worried they might charge me as much if not more than I've been quoted to have it fixed, they said, "No  charge!" WHAT??? Unbelievable! I feel so loyal to them I might have to come back for some maintenance in the future.

Lander should have also had a health food store, but it also was not at the address it should have been. The city park had internet so I could work and the Safeway in town had a small Starbucks. I considered staying a few days to get my project done, but I was out of food and for lack of food resources I decided to stick to my rule. I really must have good and healthy food to eat.

Next I headed over the pass and encountered three feet of snow on the sides of the highway. 

37 degrees!!

Hmmm...clearly my trip started too early. I was afraid of that. I should have stayed at the Grand Canyon for a few weeks but as usual, I didn't plan my food supplies well enough. I'm learning. I was also a little disappointed as I gaze upon the lovely landscape thinking how much more beautiful it would be if the trees had leaves. It's too early to be gallivanting around the country, but Tucson's heat wave is what inspired me to hit the road. Live and learn! Adventure is all about learning.

The Grand Tetons were magnificent, but clouds covered most of the scenery. I found the free campsite at Toppings Lake Dispersal off highway 26-89 just north of Jackson. Unfortunately the upper campsites, which had better views, were closed to protect them. In other words, covered in snow and driving on it would just create ruts in the road. The one lower campsite had space, but by morning it was full. Most importantly, it had internet and cell service so I could work!

The next day I headed to Jackson for food. Beautiful town! The downtown district was so gorgeous. Then I encountered the WORST Whole Foods in the western United States! Horrible customer service in every department, but especially the checker who stood there and watched me bag my own groceries and then decided to speed me along by throwing my purchases in the bag with no thought at all. Not sure why he was in such a rush. He had nothing to do when I approached him and no customers in line. What a pig.  

On the way back to the campsite I stopped at the National Museum of Wildlife Art. That was magnificent with such beautiful art from the 1800s. I was overwhelmed by the details. This is why I suck at art - I don't have the patience nor fortitude for such work.

HAPPY MAY DAY! I'm thrilled it's May and with it comes warmer weather. I found out today many of Yellowstone's roads are closed. It's still winter here! So I'll have to detour to Idaho to access the western entrance. Stay tuned!

Finally the next day no clouds!