Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 26, 2014

Have you heard the term 'desert varnish'?  That's what the dark staining on this cliff is called.  According to the National Park Service, desert varnish is created when bacteria oxidize manganese and iron and deposit it on the rocks.  I don't claim to understand how all that works, but I do know that it's beautiful. 

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 19, 2014

Let me introduce you to one of my favorite statues in Cheyenne, the Iron Horse.  As you might guess, it was named in honor of the railroad -- the original iron horse.  The position right in front of the Union Pacific train depot is no accident.

What I particularly like is that this horse is  made of pulleys, wheels and other pieces of metal that many of us would call junk.  I call it the ultimate recycling.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 12, 2014

Here's another bear from the same State Museum exhibit as last week's post.  I continue to be amazed at the artists' creativity.  Even though I make my living with words, I would never have thought to put lettered tiles on a bear.  Would you?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- February 5, 2014

What is it?  It's not alive, that's for certain.  If you use your imagination, you may see that it resembles a bear, albeit a very creatively designed one.  This was part of an exhibit at the State Museum several years ago. Those of you who've been following this blog may recall a bear made out of pencil tips.  This is another entry in the same exhibit.

If you look closely, you'll see an eagle perched on one of the bear's ears and a camper complete with tent inside its mouth.  I don't think I'd feel too comfortable camping there, do you?