May 25, 2013 Colorado, Wyoming

May 25, 2013   Tumbling Along like a Tumblin' Tumbleweed..

Bright blue sky this morning as we headed into Denver and then turned north, with the Rocky Mountains to our left.  Greener pastures, but still windy and occasional tumbleweeds on the road or caught up in fences.  More rocks and water begin appearing, though still dry.  The Wyoming WelcomeCenterprovided a nice break.

North through Cheyenne and west to Casper, where we decided to take a little longer route in order to see Independence Rock, which was a landmark on the Oregon trail and had the names of many travelers inscribed into it.  The drive was just more of flatland with sagebrush, occasional  cattle and antelope.  The rock itself, when we arrived, was a giant granite outcropping.

 We stretched our legs walking around it, about a mile, the oldest dates were fenced off for preservation, so we were more likely to see "Hank 1995"  or  William Thompson was here".  Still it was amazing to picture travelers by wagon or cart stopping here for a spot of shade and leaving a lasting memento. Saw a couple of grass snakes crossing the path which made one wonder what else was in the grass and rocks.


Today we have passed the Dave Johnston nuclear power plant, lots of wind turbines, train cars carrying coal, occasional jack-up rigs, and a few hydroelectric dams. Quite an "energy corridor".  Continued driving, heading north again through part of the Wind River Reservation which was pretty bleak until we arrived at Boysen State Park and the upper Wind River Canyon Campground, a beautiful spot  along the Wind River.  Our campsite marked the beginning of the canyon, with several tunnels for cars and trains.