Wednesday in Wyoming - July 29, 2026

 

If (or should I say "when"?) you visit Cheyenne, you might want to take one of the trolley tours. They give you an excellent overview of the historic parts of town along with fascinating anecdotes about the buildings you're seeing. And, during the Halloween and Christmas holiday seasons, there are special themed rides. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 22, 2026

 

Last week I blogged about a Frontier Days event that's been discontinued. I'm glad to report that this one hasn't.

During the first weekend of CFD, the local Airforce base, F.E. Warren, hosts Fort D.A. Russell Days. (In case you wondered, D.A. Russell was the original name of the fort that was established at the same time as the city of Cheyenne.)

Back to the main subject. Fort D.A. Russell Days include a number of events from tours of the historic homes complete with people in 19th century dress to this one -- a demonstration of the K9 corps. I wouldn't want to be tackled by one of those dogs!

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 15, 2026

 

How often do you see this many cattle being herded along an interstate? Not very often, I'd guess.

The cattle drive used to be the traditional unofficial start to Cheyenne Frontier Days and took place during the morning of the Sunday before the official start. Unfortunately, due to safety considerations, this event, which I personally found fun to watch, has been discontinued. I'm glad I have pictures of it.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 8, 2026

 

Have you seen the Wyoming State Seal? Many aspects of the state's history including equal rights and becoming the 44th state as well as its economy (livestock, grain, mines, oil) are portrayed on it.

If you're in Cheyenne, you can find the seal at the State Capitol building. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 1, 2026

 

Since America is approaching its semiquincentennial, it seemed appropriate to start the month with a picture of Wyoming's Liberty Bell. This is a full-scale replica of the original symbol of the country's independence.

You might have thought, as I did, that it was erected as part of the bicentennial celebration, but that's not the case. It was one of more than fifty Liberty Bells that the Treasury Department commissioned in 1950 to promote the sale of savings bonds. 

Was the drive successful? I don't know. What I do know is that the bell spent more than sixty years on the grounds of the state capitol before it was taken indoors to be restored. It's now in front of the State Museum.

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 24, 2026

 

Esther Morris is sometimes credited with drafting the bill that led to Wyoming becoming the first state to grant women the right to vote, but it turns out that the sole author was William Bright.

However, she holds a unique place in history. Esther Morris was the first woman justice of the peace in the United States. How's that for a first? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 17, 2026

 

You may have known that Wyoming was the first state to grant women suffrage, but did you know that it was a woman named Louisa Swain who cast that ballot? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 10, 2026

 

You probably knew that Yellowstone was the first national park, but did you know that Devils Tower (no apostrophe in it, even though a grammar purist like me would insist on one) is the world's first national monument? 

Wednesday in Wyoming - June 3, 2026

 

Since Wyomingites are proud of the fact that our state was the site of many firsts, I'm going to highlight some of them this month.

I'm sure you recognize this. Yes, it's Old Faithful, the iconic geyser from Yellowstone, the world's first national park. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 27, 2026

 

You probably won't be surprised to learn that in addition to the JC Penney Mother Store, Kemmerer is also the location of Penney's home. 

Inside this modest building you can find everything from a butter churn to a sewing machine and even a copy of one of the first Penney's catalogs. If you're in the area, perhaps visiting Fossil Butte, it's well worth stopping by. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 20, 2026

 

No trip to Kemmerer, Wyoming, would be complete without a visit to the J.C. Penney "mother store." But, as you can see, that's not the only store on the block. I laughed when I saw the name of Penney's next door neighbor. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 13, 2026

Fossils aren't rare in Wyoming -- we have some of the most impressive dinosaur bones found anywhere -- but you probably wouldn't expect to find fish fossils in what's now a semi-arid part of the country. 

Fossil Butte National Monument celebrates the fact that there were many freshwater fish including stingrays here. For more information about what the National Park Service calls "An Aquarium in Stone," click here.

Wednesday in Wyoming - May 6, 2026

 

When you think of Wyoming, do you picture the majestic Teton mountains? Many people do, but that's only one part of the state.

Here's another one: sagebrush prairies, rock outcroppings, and a magnificent sky. (Montana may be The Big Sky State, but Wyoming has its share of big sky too.)

This was taken near Fossil Butte National Monument, around 350 miles west of Cheyenne. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - April 29, 2026

 

I've been a fan of cacti for years and never cease to be amazed by how many flowers a single small plant can produce. If only they weren't so prickly!

Wednesday in Wyoming - April 22, 2026

 

You may recall that my first April post was of a bee on a hyacinth. I don't know whether this is the same bee, but it's obviously enjoying nectar from a grape hyacinth. The flowers are pretty, but if we'd known how invasive they are, we might  not have planted them. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - April 15, 2026

 

Rather than think about filing my tax return, I'd rather look at daffodils. They're such cheerful flowers, and while they come in many varieties, my favorites are still the original deep yellow ones. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - April 8, 2026

 

One of my favorite early spring flowers are these dwarf iris. There also some yellow ones, but they tend to bloom later. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - April 1, 2026

 

April showers bring May flowers -- or so the saying goes -- but some flowers don't wait for May to bloom. As you can see, a bee enjoyed this hyacinth. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 25, 2026

 

A month of blog posts about Wyoming forts wouldn't be complete without one featuring Fort Laramie, would it?

I chose this picture for two reasons. First, I've always been fascinated by covered wagons. (Blame it on TV shows like "Wagon Train.") And secondly, since Fort Laramie was a major stop on all the westbound trails, it seemed fitting to have a wagon in the center.

I hope you've enjoyed visiting these four forts, if only through my blog posts, and that you'll come back to see what theme next month's Wednesday in Wyoming posts have. 

Wednesday in Wyoming - March 18, 2026

 

Sometimes the most interesting aspects of a fort are the interior exhibits rather than the buildings themselves. I found that to be the case with Fort Fetterman.

Rather than identify each of the pieces they found while excavating, the museum's curators simply displayed them in a cabinet and left it to visitors to decide which were the most intriguing.