May 17 2008

You'll have to sift thru the pictures. 3 or 4 from Scotts Bluff, one from downtown Casper and then the bear Dubois Bear picture.
Dubois is small western town surrounded by mountains. The Wind River is high and muddy. Must be huge amounts of snowmelt.
Yesterday was a long day of travel, even though it was less miles. We started out at the Scottsbluff National Monument. Another one of those Pioneer things. Great views of the North Platte valley but a long way from Dubois.
The trip to Casper was uneventful. Scenic farm and ranching country. We got to Casper right at lunch time and ate at the Wonder Bar and Brewery. I actually had some of the best fish tacos ever. My only regret was limiting myself to ice tea. This is a place I want to come back to when I can sample a few beers. We walked around a very pleasant downtown in the 80 degree sun. Very nice respite from the trip. But this pleasantness was the prelude to a fall.
Hwy 26 from Casper to Shoshoni has to be the longest 90 miles on earth. Ok, thats an exageration but you get the picture. This stretch is literally the middle of noplace. The promise of mountains are far in the distance (and you can see the snow covered peaks thru the haze). But this is only a temptation. The price to get there is this drive. I could feel Terri's helmet laying on my back as she nodded off. At least she got a chance to snooze. Yes, this country is beautiful. It's hilly and green. But it is Wyoming nothingness.
After a 1/2 hour nap in Shoshoni, gas, a couple cups of coffee and a walk around, we were ready for the final 90 miles of the day. A local on an Ultra pulled up next to me at the pump and confirmed a shortcut around Riverton for me. This was terrific Wind River farm country. After about 45 miles we started seeing new geology. Rock, hills, badlands, curves (only a few at the start), etc. This last few miles into Dubois was terrific and a great end to the day.
JW