Monday - Into Wyoming

We had a few little jobs to do in Rapid City before we left yesterday morning - post office, Walmart and local shopping. We are always on the go - and Sunday being such a big touring day, we ran out of time for the souvenir hunting. So we didn't leave Rapid City until almost 11am! We had 318 miles to drive to get to Cheyenne, Wyoming - which the GPS said would take 5+ hours. Luckily the sun isn't setting until nearly 8pm here at the moment.

We couldn't take the interstate for the first 3 hours, we were on a highway which skirted us around the Black Hills. It was very interesting to look at - prairie plains and then the hills rising up and looking 'black' from a distance - like a big, black island. We took some photos but they just don't do the real thing justice, David would have needed his SLR camera and a tripod, and hours to perform 'artistic license'!

Crossed the border into Wyoming. Because we were on such a quiet road, David was able to pull over and we took a good photo. The black Angus cattle watching us must have thought we were crazy people!

Not much more to tell really, except that we enjoyed the drive. The last two hours along the highway and then along the interstate (I-25) were enjoyable because we kept seeing groups of animals - we suspected that they were pronghorn (antelope) but weren't sure because the road advisory warnings kept showing what looked like a deer picture (probably generic we summised).... We pulled over to take this group, just outside of Lusk, WY. David also handed me the video camera so I could zoom in more. They became quite nervous and started to move away, showing their white behinds, which pronghorn use as a defense mechanism.

Upon arrival at the Sleep Inn (a delightful hotel) the reception clerk was so friendly and happy to talk to us. I asked what the animals were and that I thought they were pronghorn - she was very impressed because she says most people call them antelope - which is technically not correct. (Shows I read my tourist pamphlets!) She reckons there are more pronghorn in the state of Wyoming than people!

Our hotel - not far from the refinery or the air force base - or the shopping district where David chose 'Olive Garden' as our restaurant for a yummy italian dinner.

This quote from the Mayor's welcome:

'From its rough and tumble beginnings in 1867, when the population consisted of 600 construction workers, entrepreneurs and camp followers of “dubious character and rowdy habit,” Cheyenne has grown to almost 60,000 residents of diversity. And, yes, we still have residents of “rowdy habit,” however, I believe you will find the majority of Cheyennites to be friendly, welcoming, and helpful.

The City of Cheyenne itself is inextricably linked with the military. In fact, the City was “born” on the same day that Fort D.A. Russell (now F. E. Warren Air Force Base) was selected as a site for an army post. Since that time, not only have military personnel and Cheyenne residents lived side-by-side, but we have worked together for the betterment of both the City and the base. Cheyenne welcomes and values our military personnel who so admirably serve our country including the Wyoming Army and Air National Guard.

Cheyenne is the home of the “Daddy of ‘em all,” Cheyenne Frontier DaysTM. CFDTM is the largest outdoor rodeo in the nation and the pride of most of our residents. The “Daddy” is staffed almost entirely by volunteers. These men and women are the backbone for the CFDTM experience, which includes parades, pancake breakfasts, western art shows, Native American arts and culture, night concerts and, of course, the famous rodeo itself. This event is always held the last full week in July.'