This post ought to be titled "A Tale of Two Escalators." What's so special about two escalators? Believe it or not, that's how many there are in the entire state of Wyoming. While there are a number of theories about the reason for so few moving staircases in the Equality State, no one knows for certain why they're not more popular.
Both escalators are located in banks in Casper, but that's where the similarity ends. The experiences were very different.
The first bank we visited was First Interstate Bank. We were greeted warmly and directed to the escalator, although we were warned that the one leading up to the second floor wasn't operational. It seems that it's so old that it's virtually impossible to get repair parts.
Undaunted by that challenge, the bank is planning to have a new one installed, even though the building has a fully functional bank of elevators that reaches all six stories.
Now, here's the important part of the story. We were able to take pictures and share them with you. (Of course you've seen escalators before, but you probably haven't seen a Wyoming escalator.)
When we reached the second bank, Hilltop National, we once again received a warm welcome. Both sides of their escalator were working and, we were told, were a big tourist attraction. Apparently families bring their children to the bank for the sheer novelty of riding an escalator.
We started walking toward the escalator but were stopped when the receptionist saw my husband's camera. Unfortunately, the bank's security policy prohibits taking pictures.
The good news is two-fold: (1) Hilltop's was an escalator like every other one you've seen, so not having a picture wasn't a big deal, and (2) I was able to cross "see both of Wyoming's escalators" off my to-do list.
