Tuesday, September 6
Today we head to the Snowy Range, a beautiful mountain range in the Medicine Bow National Forest, about an hour from Laramie. We (Greg, Anita and I) have been there before and love it. Kevin has never been to this area, so he's in for a treat! We will do a little rockhounding too.
Instead of staying on the main road - Snowy Range Scenic Byway - we take a few side roads and stop here and there to look around.
We stop at the overlook at Libby Flats. Elevation 10,847'. We've been here in Spring when wildflowers abound, but not much is still blooming this time of year. They have a 3 month growing season, which is about done for this year.
We stop at Mirror Lake and walk down to Lake Marie. Beautiful! It was named for the surveyor's wife, who became a state legislator and led the suffrage movement in Wyoming (which was the first state to allow women to vote).
Anita, Greg and I take a short trail south of Lake Marie which follows a stream. Lots of rainbow trout visible in the stream!
These horsemen are heading out on another trail by Lake Marie.
Another road takes us to Libby Lake, and then further to Lewis Lake where we have a quick picnic lunch. What a gorgeous day - sunny but in the 70's.
We stop at Centennial (the name of Michener 's book about Wyoming) for some home made ice cream. Centennial began as a work camp for railroaders cutting trees for railroad ties. Later it grew when gold was discovered nearby, but the gold didn't last. Population is still low but growing due to it being touted as "Gateway to the Snowy Range" and all sorts of outdoor recreation. Still some ranching going on too.
Among the few establishments was this place - good for a smile.
Back to Tim's, we hang out and make meatballs for a tasty spaghetti dinner. Buca loves playing ball or frisbee which she faithfully brings back time and again.
You folks are amazing the way you continue to explore and take everything in even given the problems you had to deal with! Very adaptable!
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