Wednesday in Wyoming - December 28, 2022

 

It must have been fun to be a guest at the Historic Governor's Mansion and find your room decorated for the holiday. How often do you find a tree waiting for you when you spend the night with friends or family?

As 2022 comes to an end, I want to thank you for visiting my blog and wish you a new year filled with health, happiness, and everything you hold most dear.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 21, 2022

 

Doesn't this look festive? I wonder if this is what the residents at the Historic Governor's Mansion left for Santa on his rounds. If so, he probably wanted to linger there.

However you celebrate Christmas, I hope it's a joyous day for you.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 14, 2022

 

Is your kitchen decorated for Christmas? Given how much time must have been spent in the Historic Governor's Mansion kitchen preparing for festive dinners, it's no surprise that the staff wanted to make their room special.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 7, 2022

 

It's the season to deck the halls, and the Historic Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne does that exceptionally well.

The entire house, from the entrance hallway to the children's playroom in the attic to the fallout shelter in the basement (a reminder of the Cold War) are filled with festive decorations. 

As you can tell, it's a beautiful place to visit, particularly at this time of the year. That's why I plan to feature pictures from it for this month's Wednesday in Wyoming posts.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 30, 2022

 

When you think about sand dunes, do you think of Colorado? The National Park Service certainly does. That's because Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located there.

I was surprised by the height of the dunes (they're the tallest in North America) and was fascinated by the way they are constantly moving, thanks to the wind. Prior to visiting this park, my only experience with dunes had been along the Great Lakes or the Atlantic Ocean. What a pleasant surprise to discover that I only had to travel a couple hundred miles to see them.

If you'd like to learn more about the dunes and the other parts of this park/ preserve, here's the link.

I hope you've enjoyed this month's posts about Colorado. Next month we'll return to Wyoming. 

Wednesday Near Wyoming _ November 23, 2022

 

First question: What are these? 

Answer: Coke ovens. 

Next question: What is a coke oven? 

Answer: A furnace-like device used to "cook" the impurities from coal.

Last question: Why is a coke oven needed?

Answer: Gold and silver weren't the only minerals mined in Colorado. As you've undoubtedly guessed from this post, coal was also mined there. And for some uses, coal needed to be converted to coke. 

That's the short version of the story. For a more detailed explanation, click here.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 16, 2022

 

For a fascinating look at what the park's brochure calls a window into the past, you need travel no further than Mesa Verde National Park. 

I was awed by the construction of these cliff dwellings and can only imagine what it must have been like to have lived there. 

If you're planning a visit or if you simply want to learn more, here's a link.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 9, 2022

 

No, this isn't a house on stilts. It's one of the buildings left from the heyday of Colorado's silver and gold mining. 

Since mining was the most important industry in the late nineteenth and into the twentieth century, it's not surprising that there are still reminders of the gold and silver rushes that brought so many to the state.

For more information, click here.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 2, 2022

 

Did you notice that the title says Wednesday NEAR Wyoming rather than Wednesday IN Wyoming? That's because this month I'm featuring scenes from the neighboring state of Colorado.

If you get a little dizzy looking into this canyon, you're not alone. This is the Black Canyon of the Gunnison, part of a national park with the same name. The steep cliffs and narrow river bed mean that little sunshine makes its way to the bottom of the canyon, giving it its name.

The park is well worth a visit if you're traveling to Colorado. Here's a link for more information.

Wednesday in Wyoming - October 26, 2022

 

What could be more beautiful than trees wearing their autumn colors with the Tetons in the background? 

I hope you enjoyed this month's posts and that you agree with me that autumn in Wyoming is a season to delight anyone who enjoys natural beauty.

Wednesday in Wyoming - October 19, 2022

 

Don't you love the contrast of the red rocks with the varied colors of the foliage? I do.

This is what early fall looks like near Ayres Natural Bridge.

Wednesday in Wyoming - October 12, 2022

 

While many deciduous trees in Wyoming turn shades of gold and yellow each fall, some become vibrant reddish orange. 

This scene, which never fails to delight me, was taken in the Snowy Range, part of the Medicine Bow National Forest west of Laramie.

Wednesday in Wyoming - October 5, 2022

 

To celebrate the first full month of autumn, I'm featuring pictures of Wyoming's fall colors. The golden aspens and rabbit brush made me nickname this town "Golden." Its real name is South Pass City.

Does the picture look familiar to you? That might be because it was used for the cover of Brides of the Old West. 

You'll notice that talented artist L.A. Sartor changed the sky to turn an ordinary photo into what I consider to be a stunning cover.

Wednesday in Wyoming - September 28, 2022

 

Now that it's officially autumn, I wanted to include a picture of Wyoming's autumnal landscape. 

Oranges, yellows, and reds as well as a few lingering green trees provide splashes of color and remind me of the variety of vegetation that covers the sagebrush prairie. It's a subtle beauty but one that fills my heart with joy.

Wednesday in Wyoming - September 21, 2022

 

Although Ayres Natural Bridge is only about a mile from the Oregon Trail, few pioneers visited it. Why? It was difficult to access. The modern day trail to the top of the bridge isn't too strenuous, but it's not exactly a walk in the park.

Wednesday in Wyoming - September 14, 2022

 

I hope you were at least a little curious about where to find the picnic site I featured in last week's post. The answer is Ayres Natural Bridge Park between Glenrock and Douglas, Wyoming.

Not only is the natural bridge beautiful, but according to the web site, it's only one of three natural bridges in the United States that has water flowing underneath it.

How's that for impressive?

Wednesday in Wyoming - September 7, 2022

 

The seasons are changing and snow will be falling all too soon. But before that happens, there's time for at least one more picnic in a beautiful and tranquil spot. Where is this? Come back next week for the answer.

Wednesday in Wyoming _ August 31, 2022

 

Remember NK Boswell and his vigilante committee? It appears that his belief in law and order ran deep, because here he is again, this time as the sheriff of Albany County (which is where Laramie is located) as well as warden of the newly constructed Territorial Prison.

Did you enjoy this month's tidbits of Laramie's history? I hope so. Next month's posts will celebrate a different side of the Equality State, so come back for more Wednesday in Wyoming.

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 24, 2022

 

It's clear that Bill Nye was a multi-faceted resident of Laramie -- postmaster, justice of the peace, and newspaper editor.

How many people do you think would name a newspaper after a mule? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 17, 2022

 

You may recall that last week's historical stone portrayed a violent time in Laramie's history. This week's entry is far more peaceful. I particularly liked the fact that Louisa Swain combined grocery shopping with her history-making trip to the polls. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 10, 2022

 

Talk about the Wild West! This, the first of the historical stones from the pocket park in Laramie, Wyoming, certainly paints a picture of a violent time. 

Vigilante justice, public lynchings, and a saloon named "Bucket of Blood" - it doesn't get more Wild West than that, does it?

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 3, 2022

 

For many, the primary attraction on this block of downtown Laramie, Wyoming, is the row of buildings with their careful blending of old and new architecture, but there's more than that to intrigue visitors. 

The pocket park in the foreground includes tidbits of Laramie's history recorded on the walk. How often do you see that?

For the rest of the month, I plan to share those historical tidbits, giving you a glimpse into the past of one of Wyoming's cities. I hope you'll come back each week to see what happened there.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 27, 2022

 

Since I write stories of happily-ever-after, I couldn't resist ending the month with a picture of a bridal carriage. 

I hope you've enjoyed the pictures of Frontier Days' parades and that you'll come back next month for more Wednesday in Wyoming posts.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 20, 2022

 

We've come a long way since mail was delivered by a horse-drawn wagon, but some things never change, like the importance of written communication. Imagine how eagerly pioneers awaited news from their families back East and how often those precious letters were read.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 13, 2022

 

Welcome back to the Frontier Days parade. As you can see, horse-drawn vehicles are a major part of it.

Did you ever wish you could ride in a stagecoach? While the views might be better from the seats on the roof, after a few hours in the sun or rain, I suspect the attraction would fade. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 6, 2022

 

July is Frontier Days month - the biggest event of the year in Cheyenne. Although the rodeo is the primary attraction, there are numerous other activities to attract visitors (and residents).

Since the four Grand Parades are among my favorite events, I'm going to feature them this month.

Cheyenne owes its existence to the Union Pacific railroad, so it's not surprising that at least one of the entries in the parade relates to the building of the transcontinental railroad. 

But a horse with golden hooves? What does that have to do with a railroad?

The horse and the gold on its hooves and in its mane commemorate the golden spike, which marks the completion of the railroad. Two teams, one working from east to west, the other from west to east, met in Utah, where the now-famous last spike was driven. 

For more information about the golden spike and the national historic park where it's located, click here.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 29, 2022

 

When I saw this sign on display at the State Museum in downtown Cheyenne, I nodded in agreement.

It's true: the state I now call home is unique.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 22, 2022

 

One of the many attractions at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is the labyrinth, a place for quiet contemplation. And, for those who are prefer to sit rather than walk, several benches provide a tactile labyrinth, allowing visitors to trace the paths with their fingers.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 15, 2022

 

Cheyenne owes its existence to the Union Pacific, so it's not surprising that one of the city's landmarks is the former UP depot. Attached to the depot itself is a small museum named -- again, no surprise -- the Depot Museum.

Inside the museum you'll find numerous photographs and exhibits explaining the railroad's history. Upstairs is a potpourri of fascinating items, including these reminders that at one point, Cheyenne had the only opera house west of the Mississippi. 

If you're ever in Cheyenne, I highly recommend a visit to the depot and its museum.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 8, 2022

 

One of the enjoyable events of summer in Cheyenne is the Laramie County Master Gardeners' garden walk. In addition to beautiful and innovative plantings, some of the gardens have whimsical elements. These made me smile.

Cover Reveal

One of my favorite parts of the publishing process, second only to the day the book releases, is the day I'm able to share the cover art with you. That day is today.

What do you think? I'm thrilled by the cover and believe it's the best one yet, which is saying a lot, since Revell has given me consistently beautiful covers.

After the Shadows is the first in a new series, the Secrets of Sweetwater Crossing. As you might guess, the stories all take place in a town called Sweetwater Crossing. And, as you might also guess, that town is in the Texas Hill Country.

So, what's the story about? Here's the description from Revell's sales catalog.

Emily Leland sheds no tears when her abusive husband is killed in a bar fight, but what awaits her back home in Sweetwater Crossing is far from the welcome and comfort she expected. First she discovers her father has died under mysterious circumstances. Then the house where the new schoolteacher and his son are supposed to board burns, leaving them homeless. When Emily proposes turning the family home into a boarding house, her sister is so incensed that she leaves town.

 Alone and broke, her family name sullied by controversy, Emily is determined to solve the mystery of her father’s death—and to aid Craig Ferguson, despite her fears of men. The widowed schoolmaster proves to be a devoted father, an innovative teacher, and an unexpected ally. Together they must work to unmask a killer and escape the shadows of their own pasts in order to forge a brighter future.

 Bestselling author Amanda Cabot transports you to 1880s Texas Hill Country for a brand-new series that will have you flipping pages to solve the mystery and get to the happily-ever-after you long for.

Are you intrigued? I hope so!

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 1, 2022

 

Goats are famous -- or should I say notorious? -- for eating just about anything. These goats, however, are fussy eaters and prefer noxious weeds. That makes them perfect for environmentally safe weed control, which is why they played a part in the City of Cheyenne's maintenance program for years.

Seeing them and watching the way they devoured even prickly-looking weeds never failed to make me smile. Maybe I should hire one ...

Andrea's Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 After she saw the blog post about Kathy Flinchum's prize-winning cinnamon rolls, my friend Andrea Dawson told me that she had a different recipe that might appeal to my readers. "It includes oatmeal," she told me. As someone who likes to add oatmeal to various recipes, I was intrigued. I was even more intrigued when I read the recipe, because it reminded me of what my coworkers in Philadelphia called sticky buns.

In case you'd like to try your hand at Andrea's favorite cinnamon rolls, here's the recipe.

Andrea Dawson’s Favorite Cinnamon Rolls

 

Combine in small bowl:

1 pkg yeast

¼ cup warm water

 

Combine in mixing bowl:

1 cup quick oats (not instant)

¾ cup hot milk

½ cup shortening

1/3 cup brown sugar

1 ½ tsp salt

 

Add and mix:

2 eggs

The yeast-water mixture

 

Gradually add:

3 ½ to 4 cups all-purpose flour to make a stiff dough

 

Beat well

 

Cover and let rise until doubled (around 1 ½ hours)

 

While dough is rising:

Combine in 9x13 inch pan:

½ cup maple or maple-flavored syrup

¼ cup brown sugar

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

1 tbsp water

2/3 cup chopped pecans

 

Combine in small bowl:

2/3 cup brown sugar

1 tsp cinnamon

1 tbsp grated orange rind

 

Once dough has risen, roll out on floured pastry cloth to 12x24 inch rectangle

 

Brush with:

¼ cup melted butter or margarine

 

Sprinkle with brown sugar-cinnamon mixture

 

Roll up, starting with long side

Cut into 1-inch slices and place in prepared 9x13 pan

 

Let rise until doubled (about 1 hour)

 

Bake 30 to 35 minutes at 350 degrees or until golden brown

 

Cool 1 minute before inverting onto wire rack or serving plate

 

 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 25, 2022

 

This sign isn't unique to Wyoming, but it's a very welcome sight for motorists traveling the long distances between towns.

When I see these signs, I think of the pioneers who walked -- yes, walked -- alongside their covered wagons on the way west. Such strength and determination!

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 18, 2022

 

Annie Oakley? Maybe. Actually, this cowgirl is a contestant in the Hell on Wheels Wyoming Territorial Action Shooting Competition. How's that for a long name? 

You may or may not know it, but "Hell on Wheels" was Cheyenne's nickname in the city's early days. As this article details, life in the towns established during the Union Pacific's expansion west could be a bit, shall we say, rough. https://bit.ly/3yiEf6p

And, yes, there were annual shooting competitions through 2019. Perhaps they'll resume this year.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 11, 2022

 

How often do you see towns with a population of one? Not often, even in sparsely populated Wyoming. 

And, while we're talking about the Cowboy State's population, did you know that Wyoming is the least densely populated state in the country? The most densely populated one is New Jersey, my previous home. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 4, 2022

 Wednesday in Wyoming is back! This month I'm going to focus on things that may not be unique Wyoming but that you won't find just anywhere.

We're starting with the small town of Medicine Bow. What intrigued me wasn't the sign for the diner but the "Madden Hall of Fame."

What is it? The next two pictures give you a closer look.

 By now you've probably figured out what the "hall of fame" is. (The crescent moon on the door is one of the giveaways.) But if you need another clue, here it is.

Yes, the hall of fame is an outhouse. 

Is there a family named Madden in Medicine Bow? I don't know. If there is, why did they put an outhouse here? Again, I don't know. 

Regardless of the history behind it, I was intrigued by this unusual sighting.

Were you?

The Hook

 

One of the things writers are taught is that it's essential to catch a reader's interest very quickly. 

In the "old days," we were told that if you didn't do that within the first three pages, a reader wouldn't continue. Now that we're in what I call the "Twitter Era," I believe an author has no more than a page to pique a reader's interest. That's why first lines are so important. 

I have two questions for you. 

1. How quickly do you decide whether or not to continue reading a book? Do you give an author more than a page? (Yes, I know those are two questions, but they're related.)

2. Were you hooked by the first line of The Spark of Love that you see in the meme?

Please let me know. Your answers are important!

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 30, 2022

 

After years of ineffective administration of the park that resulted in poaching of wildlife and cutting of timber, the Army took control in 1886, enforcing regulations and attempting to prevent poaching. 

While they were effective at doing that, there were limitations to the services they could provide to visitors, and there was a lack of consistent administration among the various national parks. As a result, in 1916 the National Park Service Organic Act, which established the National Park Service, was passed. 

Now, more than a century later, Yellowstone hosts between three and four million visitors each year.

I hope you've enjoyed this month's posts and that, if you haven't already discovered the wonders of the country's (and the world's) first national park, you'll add Yellowstone to your must-see list.

Prize-Winning Cinnamon Rolls

 

If you've read The Spark of Love, you know that the heroine enjoys and even attempts to make cinnamon rolls. 

Since the recipe for Evelyn's oatmeal pecan pie from Out of the Embers was such a hit with readers, I'd been thinking about sharing a cinnamon roll recipe with you. The problem was, I didn't have a special one. Then, almost as if she'd read my mind, a friend sent me her recipe, telling me the rolls were a favorite with everyone who'd tasted them and that the recipe had won the blue ribbon at her county fair. 

To my delight, when I asked her, Kathy graciously agreed that I could share her recipe with you. 

I hope you enjoy the rolls as much as Kathy and her friends have!

Kathy Flinchum’s Blue Ribbon Cinnamon Rolls

 

2 1/2 cups warm water

2 packets quick rise yeast

1 box yellow or white cake mix

1 cup all purpose flour

2 eggs

1/3 cup oil

1 teaspoon salt

5 1/2 cups all purpose flour

soft butter

1 cup sugar

2 tbsp cinnamon

raisins (optional)

 

Mix sugar and cinnamon and set aside.

 

Using large bowl of electric mixer, dissolve yeast in warm water for 3 minutes.

Add cake mix, 1 cup flour, eggs, oil and salt.

Beat with mixer until bubbles appear.

Slowly add in 5 1/2 cups flour.

Stir with a spoon making a soft dough. (Kathy uses the dough hook on her stand mixer.)

Knead on floured board for about 5 minutes.

Place in a greased bowl, cover and let rise until doubled (approximately an hour).

Divide dough into 4 pieces.

Roll each section out on a floured pastry cloth into a rectangle about 1/4 inch thick.

Spread with butter and sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.

Add raisins if using.

Roll up as a jelly roll, starting with the long edge.

Cut into pieces between ½ and ¾ inches thick.

Place each roll on a greased pan.

Cover and allow to rise until double (approximately half an hour).

Bake in a 350° F oven for 20 to 30 minutes or until done.

Ice with a powdered sugar icing while hot.

Enjoy!

 

Kathy’s Note: If you prefer, you can substitute cinnamon flavored applesauce for the butter and cinnamon sugar.

 

Amanda’s Note: I plan to use the dough setting on my breadmaker to simplify the process.

 

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 23, 2022

 

The first superintendent of Yellowstone had a difficult job. Not only was he not paid, but there were no laws to protect the wildlife and no money to build infrastructure like this boardwalk, which keeps Yellowstone's millions of visitors from destroying the fragile surface.

Would you have wanted to be Nathaniel P. Langford? As much as he loved Yellowstone, he must have found his position frustrating. 

His successor, Philetus W. Norris, did not suffer from the same handicaps and was given enough money to build roads and a park headquarters and to hire a "gamekeeper."

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 16, 2022

 

Arguably the most influential of the explorations of Yellowstone was the Hayden expedition of 1871. This team included a number of scientists, two artist, and a photographer. 

William Henry Jackson's photographs, Thomas Moran's paintings, and Henry W. Elliot's sketches of the area further increased interest in the thermal wonders and natural beauty of the Yellowstone region and were influential in Congress's proposing national park status for it. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 9, 2022

I'm sure you recognize this as Old Faithful, the most iconic spot in Yellowstone. It's not the largest of the park's geysers, but its eruptions are the most predictable, giving it its name.

What you may not know is that Old Faithful was named during the second exploration of Yellowstone, the Washburn-Langford-Doane expedition of 1870. It was expeditions like that one that fueled the country's interest in this unique part of the United States and ultimately led to Yellowstone's establishment as a national park.

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 2, 2022

 

When I thought about my March Wednesday in Wyoming posts a couple weeks ago, I had a different theme in mind. But when I learned that March 1, 1872 was a significant date for Wyoming, there was no question what I'd feature this month.

You see, yesterday marked 150 years since President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act, turning this corner of Wyoming and bits of Idaho and Montana into the world's first national park. 

A bit of history: There was already a precedent for preserving areas of natural beauty in the United States. Prior to 1872, Arkansas's Hot Springs had been established as a national reservation, and Yosemite was a state park, but Yellowstone - perhaps because it spanned three states - was the first to receive national protection. 

Both Hot Springs and Yosemite later became national parks, but that's another story. This month we're going to celebrate Yellowstone's sesquicentennial.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 23, 2022

 

By now, you've probably realized that this month's Wednesday in Wyoming theme is animal-related sculptures.

Like the Fast Food one that I featured two weeks ago, this is one that always makes me smile, even when the pigs aren't dressed for a special occasion (in this case, Thanksgiving). 

Where did I find it? In front of a veterinary clinic on one of the main roads in Cheyenne.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 16, 2022

 

How often do you find a bear welcoming you to a botanic garden? 

Ursus, who was first on display as part of the "Gardens Gone Wild" exhibit a few years ago, may not  be an official greeter, but he's what you see as you approach the Shane Smith Grand Conservatory - another reason to visit one of Cheyenne's most beautiful locations.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 9, 2022

 

If you're driving through downtown Cheyenne, you might spot this sculpture on the corner of one of the main streets. I smile every time I see it, in part because of its somewhat whimsical name: Fast Food. The artist definitely has a sense of humor.

Wednesday in Wyoming - February 2, 2022

 
It's Groundhog Day. And, while most of the country gets weather forecasts from Punxsutawney Phil or a local groundhog, Wyoming relies on Lander Lil, a prairie dog.

The original Lander Lil was a live prairie dog, but eventually she was replaced by a statue in the middle of town. 

Note how she's carefully positioned so that her shadow is behind her. That doesn't necessarily guarantee an early spring, but you can't fault Wyomingites for trying, can you?