August 5 - Douglas, WY to Lexington, NE

I'm going to see if I can post from my phone again. Left Douglas, WY. Stopped in Guernsey to view a piece of the past...the Oregon Trail.  We saw the ruts where the settler's wagons drove heading for the West. These ruts were 5' deep through sandstone. We also saw the Register Cliffs where settlers carved their names and dates as they went on their way west.

Next we stopped at Fort Larmie. the military post, was founded in 1849 when the army purchased the old Fort John for $4000, and began to build a military outpost along the Oregon Trail. For many years, the Plains Indians and the travelers along the Oregon Trail had coexisted peacefuly. As the numbers of emigrants increased, however, tensions between the two cultures began to develop. To help insure the safety of the travelers, Congress approved the establishment of forts along the Oregon Trail and a special regiment of Mounted Riflemen to man them. Fort Laramie was the second of these forts to be established. We walked around the many buildings that have been restored and some that are in ruin. At one time there were over 700 military men along with some wives and laundresses.

We recommend that when you plan to be in Wyoming you save time to visit both of these sites. We really enjoyed reading about the past and seeing some of the evidence.

After that stop we continued on our way and stopped in Lexington, NE for the night. As we were coming back from dinner, I took this beautiful western sunset.

August 4 - Left Yellowstone, Headed for Douglas Wyoming

Here are the pics I added August 5 because we have fast Internet ... woohoo!

Well, we’re on the way home so there’s not a lot to tell you. Except that we stopped at Buffalo Bill Cody’s Heritage Center in Cody, WY. If you’re out near Cody, we recommend that you stop. It’s a very well done educational center. Lots of information about the Plains Indians and Yellowstone. Also had 2,700 guns (all kinds and sizes).

As we were leaving, we stopped by the chuckwagon and sampled some pinto beans and bacon and sourdough bisquits that were cooked over the fire.

Here's a statute called "Code of the West." Who knows what that code is?

On our way again, our drive took us through Big Horn River canyon – a beautiful drive down through a long canyon and through 3 tunnels. Here’s the route we took in case you’re going this way: From Cody, take 120 to Thermopolis (stop at Hot Spring State Park for a swim), then Route 20 down to Shoshoni (along the Big Horn River).

We stayed overnight at Douglas, WY, southeast of Casper. I was hoping I would have Internet but I don’t so that’s why this post is late. However, we do have a big screen TV so that’s what we’re doing for fun tonight. Internet sucks so no pictures till I have a faster connection.

Tomorrow we’ll head through Nebraska.

August 1 - Left Glacier and headed for Yellowstone

Had an uneventful drive through western Montana. We know that our GPS is a female because I swear she changed her mind from the time we left til we got into southern Montana to I90. She took us down through some beaufitful country, all non-interstate. We hit West Yellowstone about 4r pm and rode through the park. There was construction on the west end (which means gravel) for 3 miles so Peg is NOT going on that road (I don't care if Brenda does think the practice will do me good!!).

In the park, we saw Earthquake Lake. In 1959 an there was an earthquake that caused a landslide and dammed up the mountain stream. By the next morning, the lake had formed where there wasn't one before.

As we got close to Fishing Bridge, we saw about 1,000 buffalo. Had one walk beside our truck for a little while and then had one we had to follow down the road for a bit. I'll only bore you with two of the MANY pictures I took of the buff. We're anxious to ride tomorrow to see what else we see. Plus, Peg will be on her bike so she won't be able to take as many pics!

Got to the Pahaska Lodge and Tepee about 5:30. Pahaska means Man With Long Hair. It’s the place that Buffalo Bill Cody built after he got famous for his wild west shows. He built it as hunting lodge to entertain his guests. We ate buffalo quesadillas. Kristen, didn’t I buy you a quesadilla maker?? I’m going to expect you to make me some buffalo ones when we get home.

We have a cabin on top of a hill about 3 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone. Here’s the sunset we saw from our deck while having a brew or two. Check back tomorrow for a picture of the cabin.


BTW – we don’t have any cellphone reception at the lodge. We’ll have to go into Yellowstone to be able to check our voicemail. You can leave us a comment on the blog. We can check that when we get to the lodge later tomorrow night. Although, reception is really slow. I"m VERY spoiled with PA's high speed!!