I left my motel at 0630 local time and headed west on US-26, a four lane road. It was a pretty day. Just outside of town, I saw old farm equipment and old military equipment near the road. I got through Morrill before hitting road work. Finally, I got to Torrington, when they were starting to work on the road for the day.
This whole area is part of the North Platte Valley, with irrigated center pivot fields with corn, alfalfa and feed yards (sniff, sniff. It's also part of the California. Pony Express, and Oregon Trails, as well as the Mormon historic routel. I got to the town of Fort Laramie at about 0730 in the morning and headed out to the fort itself. I took lots of pictures and talked with a lady in the visitor center.
I left there little after nine o'clock, to head west again on US-26, when I ran into construction. I had a little bit of wait, but it wasn't too bad.
I stopped at Guernsey, Wyoming to take a look at the Register Cliffs area, where travelers recorded their passing by in the soft sandstone. I took quite a few pictures there.
I got there about 9:30 and left a little after 10:00. Soon as I left I ran into a lot of construction, where I had to sit there waiting for the them to let us through. When that finally happened, I continued on driving and following the Laramie River, which is running full. I reacht I-25 at the 91 mile marker at about 1030. I took I-25 north towards Casper. This is going to be about a 100 mile drive. It's hilly. Speed limit is 80 and I started off a little bit less, running it at 73.
This area is green. The ponds are all full - really kind of scenic throughout that area. I-25 here is new to me; it crosses a number of creeks: there was Cottonwood Creek, Horseshoe Creek, Elk Horn Creek, LaPrele Creek, Box Elder Creek and Deer Creek.
At Glendo, I passed ta BNSF train that was hauling quite a bit of military equipment southbound, no tanks though.
I cross the North Platte River (again) around exit 126 and shortly after that again at Douglas. When I get to Casper, I stop for gas at a Sinclair, probably the best price I've had on the trip so far (and the best price I may have) and asked for some directions on how to find the WY-220 highway.
Well, I did find it. It's called Sand Creek Massacre Trail in certain areas. It starts off being four lane and it's a really pretty good, well traveled road. Then it after I'd been on it for quite a while, I saw the first layer of red rocks that I've seen so far on this trip. I expect I'll see a lot more before I'm done.
This is also the North Platte River valley. I went through a pass and then got into a wide valley where there was corn and alfalfa, all irrigated, growing. Then, another little range, another basin with has a lake. Can't tell if the lake was man made or natural, but I suspect it could have been either. It was a good road, with frequent passing lanes as a two lane road, with a 70 mile speed limit.
I reach Independence Rock about 1:10pm and stop to take a couple of pictures. Successful emigrant parties that reached this point by early July were likely to reach their destination before winter. It's on the Sweetwater River, so they could continue to follow Sweetwater Valley for quite a while.
When I reach Muddy Gap junction about 75 miles out of Casper, I turn north on US-287, towards Lander. This is going to be another 80 Mile Run. Along that stretch I stop and take a picture of Split Rock, a National Historic Place.
I see my first antelope at some tanks around 276 miles in, and my first snow cap peaks in the distance from Jeffrey City. I think that they're probably in the Wind River Range. Finally, I reach Sweetwater Junction, where I think the trails turn south towards South Pass. It's about 6500 feet above sea level.
This is now the Chief Washakie Ttrail. He was a famous chief of the of the Arapaho. I get into Lander, then at almost three o'clock and check into my room. It's a real nice room on the end of the hallway on the first floor. That'll make it real easy to clear out and load the car tomorrow without having to use a cart or use stairs. I gave a big thumbs up for that.
For supper, I went over to the neighboring Safeway and got some carry out and brought it back here. More chicken, of course.
For the day, 341.6 miles, for the trip, 1,064.4 miles.
Tomorrow, I'm heading west on US-26 to the Grand Tetons and then across the state line to spend the night at Idaho Falls.
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