Wyoming

Above is a view of Sheridan from Red Grave Road, a very steep gravel road that clims the side of the Big Horn Mtns. Middle; the Big Horns from the valley,and the Big Horn Mtns when in them, also lovely Wyoming horses.

The ride to Sheridan was long, hot, and scary as the landscape was dotted with a few ranches that one could not get to from the highway, if help was needed. I experienced the opposite of claustrophobia in the wide-open spaces. Don't know if there's a name for that. It was lovely,though - lush pastures and hills with clear skies and a few puffy clouds. Expected cowboy's to come rounding up cattle. Stopped at Glen Rock, Wy and the dinosauer museum. If I'd had time, I would have gone fossil hunting myself. Staying at friend's Patti and Gary Atkins. Gary is in the hospital with end of life facing him. Love that man! His wife, Patti, is very brave, but having tender moments. They've been married 40 some years. We bring him home tomorrow. Patti and I did a short fossil hunt yesterday in Decker, MT where Decker Coal is. Found some fossilized sea animals/shells. I hate to see the land decimated by surface mining, but it was interesting to see the long freight trains, neatly loaded with fine coal. Patti says they reclaim the land, but....

Yesterday, I had a break from helping my friend caretake. I drove into the Big Horns, stopped to find fossils and neat rocks. The top of the mountain is the oldest because erosion moved the newer material to the bottom. Met a woman who knows of Perkasie and who is from Ohio, so we talked old home. Small world, eh.

I'll leave tomorrow morning for Billings, MT to meet with friends with whom I worked on Spotted Horse Dude Ranch in 1967 - Gayle & Lenny Francis. We haven't talked or seen each other since then. Can't wait.