Woke up in Billings. Instead of taking the interstate directly back, went on the back roads. Missed the turn I intended to take, audibled, it all worked out.
Took a state highway from Red Lodge, had some nice views
Upon entering Wyoming, I saw a state patrolman had somebody pulled over going north. Had to have been less than 1 mile from Montana. Leaving
Somkey and the Bandit aside, I wonder if they aren't allowed to chase you into another jurisdiction, and it might be smarter to make a run for it.
Anyway, poked along. There's a lot of nothing in Wyoming. Got me to wondering why Wyoming is so empty? Other rural Western states have towns and ranches and evidence of humans--Wyoming, in many places, doesn't, with the exception of the road you're on.
After taking that photo, noticed a sign for Powell. Looked on the map, saw I could avoid Cody (and its presumed July 4 madness), so went that direction. Eventually came upon highway 14 Alt, which went through the Big Horn Mountains.
Really scenic, but not for the faint of heart. Not much in the way of pull outs on the way up, but it was a very steep, winding road. You can't see the road from here, but it started down at the bottom (only more to the right, out of picture).
I kind of wondered why they didn't just make the road go around the mountains, down in the flat part.
Also, that notch in the ridge in the distance made me think of
Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Not saying that was Hole in the Wall, just made me think of that.
Climbed some more, the truck made it ok. At one point where it was pretty steep and twisty, there was a cow in the other lane, just ambling along. It would've been in the way of downhill travelers. Hope they all had their loads under control and could get stopped.
Up, up, up, finally got to Observation Point, elevation 9430'. As it was the only signed place, I assume that was the summit.
Came down the mountains, also nice scenery. Seemed to be more forested on the east side.
From there, gassed up in Sheridan, buzzed down to Casper. Getting close to Casper, I noticed a thin column of smoke. Hmm, wonder what that is. As I got closer, it thickened up, really black, and the traffic stopped on I25. The fire was just around a curve from where I stopped, couldn't see what was going on.
We waited a bit, I jumped out to stretch while waiting. We're at the bottom of this on ramp; I'm wondering why the police aren't sending us backward up the ramp to get clear.
Walking up there, I notice a strip of dirt and grass about 6' wide separating the on ramp from the street above. No idea if this was a former on ramp that got abandoned, or maybe they've built a new one but aren't ready for traffic yet.
To their credit, they had us going again in only about 15 minutes. Apparently, somebody wrecked their pickup and camper in the northbound lanes.
Here's a story if anyone's interested.
From there, cruised down I25. Made one last gas stop in Cheyenne about 6 PM. Coming into town, I thought I might go over to the fireworks stand and get something for the neighborhood. I figured that by 6 PM on July 4, everyone would've gotten all their stuff and I could get in and get out.
Wrong. While fueling, looked over--the line was out the door and down the road. At least 100 people waiting in line. I'm not that interested.
Down by Fort Collins, there were several highway info signs warning people it was illegal to park on the shoulder for the fireworks show. How is that not obvious?
Cruised on home, the neighbors had the fire pit going. Dragged stuff in the house, opened the cooler so people could get a beer if they wanted. The neighbors are fireworks mavens, so we had quite a nice show in the cul-de-sac.
Now starting to get things put away, laundry going, etc. Plan to relax and catch up on yard work/etc.
Not sure if the trip to the Ozarks for friend's son's wedding will happen or not in August. Other than that, no plans.