Woohoo....we went to Wyoming.....again!

The weekend of my birthday, Stuart, Joshuah and Jakeb went snowboarding up at Loveland on the Saturday and got home around 2pm.  So Stu and I decided to head up to Wyoming around 4pm and arrived at Laramie around 7pm, staying the night there.  On the way we stopped near LaPorte, and drove partway into Poudre Canyon.  It was kind of nice seeing LaPorte, as it has the same name as the horrible, smelly factory that used to be up the road from home in Australind when I was growing up.  Always nice to be reminded of home!

Poudre Canyon

Poudre Canyon

  Driving to Laramie, we were surrounded by rolling hills with smatterings of snow, snow capped mountains in the distance and wide open roads.  We stopped to take some photos of deer until we realised that they were almost in plague proportion and not such a rare sight...a bit like kangaroos at home.

 

Fences to stop the snow drift

Wind farms everywhere

Laramie has a population of around 32 000 and was a nice town.  We went out for tea and saw a few blokes in cowboy hats in the restaurant which is always a treat to see!  The next morning we headed to Macca's with our map and ipod (free internet at Maccas :)) to work out where we would drive and what to see. 

We were chatting to each other, as we would normally and as we were about to leave, a couple around our age who were sitting near us asked us where we were from. We said "Australia". They then asked "what language do you speak in Australia?".....we said "English". So we chatted for a bit, then the bloke said..."if you speak English in Australia, what was that language you two were speaking to each other earlier? "  Bloody ENGLISH mate!!!  Obviously it was Stuart they couldn't understand!

We had a great laugh together and these folk were really helpful and sent us on a great route that we wouldn't have known about if we hadn't met them.. .and we got to see some amazing country. (We did speak very slowly when we were talking to them!)

Great excitement for Jen....no jumper!!

 

 

We wanted to take a scenic mountain pass, but unfortunately that was closed due to large amounts of snow on the roads, so we ended up driving through a few towns that were reminiscent of western movies....big wide streets, old buildings....we were waiting for a "showdown at high noon".

Saratago, Wyoming

yep....gun holsters....

We did manage to get part way up the mountain pass and it was really beautiful country.  Lots of ranches, mountains, cattle, snow, creeks......until we were stopped by this.....

the road is somewhere under this snow.....

Fortunately we didn't need accommodation for the night, as I had a "sinking" feeling that this wouldn't be suitable.

 

 

Elk Mountain

 The Rockies were always in sight, and they were really spectacular.  What a great view to wake up to every day...

We crossed back into Colorado and headed towards Winter Park, again seeing some spectacular scenery....

and it was exciting to see the chances of colour in the vegetation.....does this mean it might warm up?

 I love the clouds here in Colorado.....I think everytime I see them I am reminded of "The Simpsons" opening credits.......

We had a fabulous 24 hrs...a memorable 49th birthday..... and it always amazes me that we can drive across to another State and it will only take a few hours....a bit different to WA!!  The country we are seeing is truly spectacular....and already it is May......there's still so much to see.