If it’s Friday (I’m writing this on Friday) it must be…what? Oh yes, Wyoming, nearly Nebraska. I last wrote you in Nevada, I think, and since then we’ve moved on to Utah and Wyoming.
I’d never been to Utah before and let me tell you, I was stunned by its beauty. First up was the Great Salt Lake Desert, which is what remains of the Bonneville Salt Lake of thousand of years ago. I’d heard of the famous Bonneville Salt Flats of land/speed record fame, but I had no idea that the white salt becomes the landscape as far as the eye can see.
It’s other-worldly in its beauty. Almost as if it’s another planet – this combination of salt and mountains. Truly amazing.
And then on to the Great Salt Lake and Salt Lake City – both of which are stunning.
As we drove on, drinking in the beauty of the Wasatch mountains, we started to look for a place to stay and ended up in Coalville, not far from the border with Wyoming.
This morning, as we drove onward, we were staggered by these red rocks.
Simply beautiful. Utah is gorgeous and I’ve only seen Northern Utah. I can only imagine what the rest of the state is like.
On to Wyoming.
Mountains, hills, cattle, a huge, open expanse as far as the eye can see. And lots of wind turbines. They were so striking on the horizon. Big, white turbines, like sculptures off in the distance.
We stopped at a little town called Green River to grab a quick bite to eat. Green River is known for mining and is also ‘the train town’ because of the many freight trains that pass through. We had quick bite to eat and then walked over toward the river.
You can see a train off in the distance.
Truly stunning. We loved Green River.
Later in the day, we needed some lunch and Don stopped at a tiny, tiny little town called Wamsutter. We figured we’d have to grab something at the gas station but there was a sign for a Mexican restaurant, so we went in. Best mexican food I’ve ever had. Don feels the same. It was so good! Thank you to Lulu, the owner, who cooked our food and made the best guacamole ever!
Then endless driving until we reached Laramie and Cheyenne. Both towns have such a rich history in terms of the West, but as we drove through them, we realized they are now cities, sort of indistinguishable from other cities and they could never match our Wild West fantasies.
We’re now staying outside of Cheyenne and we’ll cross into Nebraska early tomorrow morning. Once we hit Iowa, I know I’ll be eager to get home. I’ve been through Iowa and every other state that we have to drive through after Iowa countless times. Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Nebraska are new-to-me states.
Quick story. The other morning, as we were having breakfast before heading to Sacramento, a man approached our table. The slogan on Don’s t-shirt reminded the man of a documentary he had just seen on his local PBS station (about Route 66). We asked him to sit down with us and his wife joined us, as well. They had already eaten and were on their way to a family reunion in Oregon. Such a lovely couple. Ray told me he was born on October 30, 1938. That was the night that the radio version of War of the Worlds aired. He wasn’t due until November, but his mom was so scared by Orson Welles’ radio play that she went into labor!
We’ve met some lovely people on the road.
Happy Saturday.
This country is truly beautiful. Each area is so different. Eastern Washington state looks very much like Idaho, Nevada and Utah. Not green at all. Just desert like. Fun trip. You two continue with your wonderful trip. Drive safely and keep us entertained.
xoxo
Claudia,
Just searched Robert Chapline and was directed to your site. Thank you for your kind words about Bob, your recollections of him as teacher and friend. I was part of that core group of kids at Milwaukee where I met Bob and Rick. What a pairing! Continue to Flourish… please visit Cedar, if you can.
Anon!
Greg Keach
It certainly sounds like you two are enjoying yourselves. There is a lot of beauty in this country, that you only see when you take the time to drive through it, and not fly over. Safe travels!! ;)
Loving your posts. It brings back so many memories of the road trip we took around the United States. Every state has beauty all its own. Enjoy the beautiful scenery and the precious time together. Safe travels!
Your country is beautiful
Thanks for sharing all the beautiful photos. Wow.
I’m sure you can’t wait to get home but such amazing memories
you are making in the process.
Be safe!
Monica
I am truly loving all your photos of your trip across our country. So much to see. Lots of fun to meet new people also. We are such a wonderfully diverse country and if everyone would just embrace our differences and love each other we would be so powerful. Enjoy the rest of your trip. I know you will be glad to get home since ‘there’s nowhere like home’. Hugs!
It’s so nice to hear that you meet good people on the road; no bad experiences. I recall how Susan Branch enjoys seeing people on the train when they are on the cross-country Amtrak. Speaking of trains, it’s been awhile, but I do remember lots and lots of freight trains traversing wide-open country in Wyoming but even more so in Nebraska. Long live the American railroad; we’ve got to keep it going! Thank you again for sharing your experiences and so glad you’re having a memorable trip!
I will never forget this trip you two are on!…I will never it get to do this myself so thank you so much for letting me tag along!
Sounds like you are having a great time driving through the “wilderness”. Boy, those vistas are just as I remember them, too. It sort of tickled me to hear of your dining companions and their stories. Thanks for the post.
Lovely. You are giving me ideas for my western adventure.
There really is nothing like a road trip! I, too, was totally amazed by the Bonneville Salt Flats. I stood there for the longest time trying to comprehend what I was seeing. I am a rock collector, and I picked up a piece from the ground and put it in the car. (Hope that wasn’t against the law.) When we later stopped for the night, it had “grown”! I’m not sure if it was the AC in the van, or what exactly happened. It was crazy!! Did you see Devil’s Tower as you drove by in Wyoming? And in Nebraska I always could imagine the Pioneers going over the Little Platte. So much of the Oregon Trail to think about as you do that drive.
Sounds like you are having a wonderful time together. Once you hit Iowa, it sounds like you will be in full “homeward bound” mode. I know that feeling of “are we there yet?” Safe travels, and thanks again for sharing your trip!!
I’m so enjoying the trip. How nice to be able to stop and enjoy the small towns along the way. When driving thru Iowa, I’m always so amazed at how beautiful their small towns and farms are…..the same with Minn. and Wisc. You probably won’t go thru Wisc. but one of my favorite places is Door Co. It reminds me of Cape Cod. Enjoy the 2nd half of your trip and be safe!
Beautiful photos.
Marilyn
Oh, Claudia, the scenery is just spectacular! The Salt Flats do look otherworldly, and those red rocks are breathtaking. And the lovely river with that vista spreading out in the distance to the train passing through…. truly the trip of a lifetime to see the country this way. And you have had such wonderful experiences meeting lovely people and enjoying delicious food! Hope it continues! xx
I’ve seen some of your pics on Instagram, but now I need to catch up with your blog. Loving these snippets of your road trip. I’ve never been to Wyoming, Nebraska or Utah either, so it’s very interesting to me to see this landscape. Totally different from the Midwest!