JUNE 2019
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| Chimney Rock, Baynard, Nebraska |
Randy had wanted to go north to Alaska, since we began full-timing in 2016. Our 2019 summer travel plan was Alaska, and to stop & visit Randy's Uncle Dale in Myrtle Creek Oregon, on our way. We got a later start from KC than we planned. It took a few trips to the Ford dealer for them to figure out problems with our truck transmission. Once they did and replaced torque converter and pump, we headed out but 2 weeks later than planned.
One of our campground stops was Cabela's at Sidney Nebraska. Randy saw Chimney Rock was nearby, so made a quick side trip. We understood how it would be a important marker for those traveling west on the Oregon, California & Morman trails, in wagon trains west in the 1800s. It makes us appreciate God's blessings of a truck & 5th wheel to make our travels west!
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| Libby Flats Observation at Snowy Mountain Pass Wyoming |
Our next stop was Cheyenne Wyoming. Not wanting to take the rv up in the mountains, we left it in Cheyenne and drove an hour over to Centennial WY and headed up hwy 130. Joyce had taken horses and camped here in the 90s and wanted to show Randy the beauty of the area. We took sandwiches and thought we'd drive to picnic area but nope, still a couple feet of snow blocking the roadway. We drove over pass and did find a beautiful spot near a rushing stream to eat. But with bear signs & knowing they'd want us to share our lunch, we were vigilant to keep an eye out.
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| Highest point along the scenic byway. |
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| Great picnic spot! |
The next day we spent exploring Cheyenne. Unfortunately the Frontier Days event was in July. But we checked and all campgrounds were already booked solid. We understood the town becomes a mad house.
Lane Frost monument at Frontier Days Park
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| Just some of the horse drawn vehicles in museum. |
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| Early Bookmobile |
We drove out to the Frontier Days Old West Museum and enjoyed seeing the artwork & horse-drawn vehicles. Their downtown area was fun to just walk around and we took in the free Cowgirl museum.
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| Randy next to Cheyenne's western boots art. (Each major city seems to have their own painted statue art... KC has cows, Norfolk VA mermaids, Homassas FL manatees, etc) |
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Horse sculpture The Iron Horse by Lyle Nichols at the Depot Park in Cheyenne
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It was amazing all the pieces of metal used to create the horse...wrenches, spoons, hinges, etc.
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| Wyoming State Capitol was under renovation. If you look closely you can see the worker in orange under the dome. |
Close to our campground in Cheyenne we had seen signs for Wyoming Hereford Ranch. Since Mike & Maranda had showed Hereford for 4H and FFA when they were younger, Randy has always favored Herefords. So of course, off we went to investigate the ranch.
It was started in 1883 and has been a major source of registered Hereford cattle. The office is a small museum of the history of Herefords with lots of photo albums of their cattle thru the years. The ranch now is a local wedding venue also.
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| Explains the ranch's dedication to being an Important Bird Area. |
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| Sign at entrance showing ranch established in 1883. |
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Randy always says "look at those pretty girls" when he sees Hereford cows.
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And just so everyone knows, the trials of travel comes with the joys. Randy had new tires and wheels put on RV before leaving KC in preparation for Alaskan roads. We had one valve stem split coming across Kansas but made it to a tire shop. Then about 40 miles outside of Salt Lake (NO towns nearby) another tire sensor alarms. Randy made it over to a farm road exit and we had to change another tire. Once we set up at KOA in Salt Lake City, Randy took it into tire shop and it was another valve stem split. Tire shop said they'd quit using those types for that reason. So Randy took off the other 3 tires too and had all valve stems replaced.
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| Desolate between towns. |
Our next major stop was Salt Lake City Utah. Joyce was excited to read that the Tabernacle Choir had rehearsals open free to public on Thursday evenings. The city tram had a stop just across from campground so we hopped on and headed to the Temple Square. Turned out was popular spot for tourists from all over the world. Stood in line for an hour and had about 200 people in audience for the rehearsal. Joyce loved the music! It made her miss the choir back at Connection Point, as they were singing some of same patriotic songs that our choir sings for our Freedom Celebration. When we left the Temple, it was lit up and made a beautiful pic.
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| Mormon Tabernacle Choir rehearsal |
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| The Tabernacle at night was beautiful. |
The UTA had a great electric tram we could hop on and off, so Randy could enjoy the view instead of watching traffic. We did take tram back into the church's Family Library to do some genealogy research for each of our families. We both learned some different computer sites to investigate later.
Of course while at Salt Lake City we had to go see the Great Salt Lake. We drove out to Antelope Island State Park which is just northwest of the city. They have Bison herds ranging from 500 to 700 head. There were 2 large herds that we just sat and watched.
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| One of the Bison herds at Antelope Island State Park on the Great Salt Lake |
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| We loved watching the calves playing and could have watched the herds all day. |
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| The Great Salt Lake |
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| Joyce had to put her toes in water. |
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| Randy finally put his in too. BUT we both agreed, the smell discouraged us from floating in the briny water. |
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The water was clear but it's the brine shrimp that causes the smell. Hard to see in pic but little red flecks are the brine shrimp.
After leaving Salt Lake City heading west, we drove by the Bonneville Salt Flats where they do the speed record tests.
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| NOPE not snow...SALT! |
Leaving Salt Lake, Randy called his cousins, Jim & Mike to see about our best route to Myrtle Creek Oregon. If you took interstate highways lots of extra miles and time. So from Winnemucca Nevada we headed north and then took 140 across. It was a 2 lane blacktop and had beautiful vistas. Then we got to this downhill descent. Hmmm... was glad to see an eighteen wheeler coming up the hill, so knew we weren't too large for the curves!
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| No guardrails!! |
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| We'll be OK, if that truck can do it! |
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| After setting up at campground in Lakeview OR, we headed into town. Randy spotted 4 bucks bedded down in ditch, right as we entered town! |
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| "You can't see me" Loved the velvet on his antlers. |
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| After we drove by again, it made them nervous, so they got up. |
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| We had a beautiful view from our camp spot! |
After the truck transmission problems and then tire problems, we were blessed and relieved to finally make it to Randy's Uncle's home. The next blog will tell of our time with "crazy cuzins"! (Unless their bribes are enough! 😂)
