Devil's Tower is this big rock that juts up out of the ground. A geologist would frown at such a description and might refer to it as an igneous intrusion or laccolith. There seems to be some confusion among the experts on how it was formed, so I feel comfortable calling it a big rock. And it is big. The tower rises 1,267 feet and the trail around the base is 1.3 miles. Due to Barb's toe issue we passed on the hiking trails. We were surprised to learn that in 1906 Theodore Roosevelt established Devil's Tower as the first United States National Monument.
Barb decided lunch would be in Buffalo so we were back on Interstate 90 heading West. Along the way we passed through Gillette and... well I guess it was just Gillette. Not many towns out there.
The Bread Board in Buffalo hides behind a tree, which makes it a little, no a lot, hard to find. We finally gave up, called for help and had to drive about 200 feet. It turned out to be a slightly upscale Subway, with a good sandwich and needed time away from the wheel.
After lunch we said goodby to the Interstate and headed generally southwest on Highway 16. This part of the drive took us through the Bighorn National Forrest and changed my opinion of Wyoming. I guess I was thinking most of the state was like Interstate 80 from Evanston to Laramie. It's not. A great drive that topped out at over 9,000 feet and was followed by the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway south of Thermopolis.
In Riverton the Hampton Inn will be home for the night and a nice home it is. Years ago, probably 26 or so, I stayed in Riverton on a business trip. As we headed West all I could remember of the trip was a steak dinner somewhere nearby. Thanks to plentiful cell towers, Barb was able to locate a restaurant in nearby Hudson that fit the bill. Thirty plus years in business, excellent reviews and steak. We drove the sixteen miles and sure enough that was the place. The wine list was limited, but a bottle of 14 Hands Cab from Washington made us feel at home. Starters were an ante pasta plate with the usual suspects plus ravioli and stuffed cabbage rolls.We both had the senior portion of prime rib, which would be a full portion anywhere else. Add a baked potato and roll and it was an excellent meal. Oh, and the price? $50.86 including the bottle of wine.
So here we are back at the motel. Barb's in bed playing with her phone and watching Hannity of FOX, while I listen to bluegrass and try to remember what happened today. Tomorrow we head off to Pocatello, Idaho. 473 miles today.
Posted from my iPad2
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