July 26-31: Visiting friends in Casper, WY and Torrington, WY

It was finally time to move on from Ft. Bridger. What was supposed to be an overnighter turned out to last several days and to provide an opportunity to do siteseeing as well as begin our introduction to the emigrants who traveled the various routes across the United States. Whether it was along the Oregon Trail, the Colorado Trail or the Pony Express, they all made stops in Ft. Bridger. As we traveled east to Casper and then to Torrington, we discovered other stops they made in the Casper and Torrington area.

Our travels to Casper took us through some beautiful scenic areas. And when we arrived, we discovered that antelope were everywhere, in fields along the road, on farms, just everywhere.















We went to Casper to visit our friends Terri and Karen. We met them last year in Custer, SD. They had traveled there in their motorhome, had been siteseeing all day, and had made a stop in Rochport, SD to figure out where to go for the night's rest. We were in Rochport to have lunch after biking for 15 miles. We were so proud of ourselves that we knew we deserved a great lunch. The small bar there had great hamburgers and we were leaving the bar and ran into them. We told them of the campground we were at and they showed up there that night. So we just started talking and spent the evening and next day with them. They invited us to come to Casper anytime we were in the area and so we did!

Not only did they invite us to visit, they provided a place to stay. They had just purchased a ranch just outside of Casper and their ranch in Casper was vacant.



Can you see our motorhome? Click on picture to see.
And they had a level section where we could park and get electric and water. You already know the story about our having no a/c in the 100+ weather so I will not go into that with you.

We spent much time visiting with them and seeing their new ranch. It was a whole new experience for me. However, for Barb, it brought back memories of her visiting her grandparents farm. Karen and Terri have horses, cows and chickens on their property. They gave us fresh farm eggs and bacon. We know it will make for a great breakfast. They have a beautiful home with swimming pool and we know they will enjoy it very much. Right now, however, they are overwhelmed by the the amount of work required to get it up and running the way they want it. The day before we left we celebrated Karen's birthday with her family


While in Casper we spent a day at the Historical Intrepretative Center.


The photo below is from a Sioux Indian and reflects Barb and my feelings about our travels.
Be sure to click the photo to read the statement.

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The Interpretative Center traced the routes and told the stories of the emigrants, the mountain men and the Indians. .




We got to take a virtual ride in a wagon across the Platte River and to cross the prairies in the snow and cold.



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Upon leaving Casper we went to visit Jo Bedsaul, another friend from Custer. She and her husband, Milt, camped in the site right next to us at the Big Pine Campground. Milt was the person I have told many of you about.... upon seeing us pull in to the campground, he sat down, poured himself a drink and prepared himself to laugh at us as we tried to back into this difficult site. He and Jo would spend many days watching people pull in and out, trying to get in without hitting the trees on either side. When we did it perfectly, he came over and expressed his disappointment for ruining his fun and entertainment. In exchange, he invitied us to have a drink with them over the campfire.........and you all know, we could not refuse that offer. Drinks over the fire became an evening affair. When Milt passed on, we continued corresponding with Jo and she would come to Custer from Torrington to visit us when we were there. So now we would go to Torrington to visit her. We spent an evening with her and enjoyed the visit.


Close to Torrington is Ft. Laramie and close to that are the actual ruts in the rocks made by the emigrant's wagon as they traveled across this country.

We spent a couple of hours before leaving the area viewing the ruts.


We then went to see Register Cliff where the emigrants carved their names into the rocks as a record that they were there.
All of this has been preserved and well worth seeing.





We left on August 1 to go to Boyd Lake State Park in Loveland, CO. Barb's cousin Sue and her friend Deb live in Greeley about 20 miles from Loveland.

Love to all of you.