Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 11, 2013

If you're looking for a unique and historic way to tour Yellowstone, this might be for you.  A few years ago, the park reintroduced its iconic buses.  They weren't the first form of public transportation. That honor goes to horse-drawn carriages, also yellow.  These vehicles, which are now called the Historic Yellow Buses, take visitors on tours of various parts of the park.

As you probably guessed from the shape, the buses are definitely historic.  They were built between 1936 and 1938.  Fortunately you don't have to worry about cracked leather or any of the other problems you might associate with vehicles of that age.  They've been restored, and unlike school or commercial buses, they have multiple doors, making it easier for riders to get on and off.  To add to the fun, there's a soft top that rolls back so riders can get better views of wildlife and geysers and everything that makes Yellowstone so special.

I have to admit that I haven't ridden in one, but it's time for me to schedule another trip to Yellowstone, and this time I just might ride in one of the yellow buses.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 4, 2013

Though it was only in existence for about a year and a half (April 1860 to October 1861), the Pony Express continues to be one of the iconic emblems of the American West. 

I knew about the riders and their frequent change of horses (approximately every ten miles, in case you were wondering) and the fact that the Pony Express was established to provide faster mail delivery to California, but until I visited the Historic Trails Museum in Casper, I didn't know how the mail was carried.  I had envisioned ordinary saddle bags, but instead each rider had a mochila (Spanish for pouch or backpack), which functioned a bit like a saddle blanket.  I don't know if all the mochilas were orange like this one, but I do know that they were critical to the success of the Pony Express.  Up to twenty pounds of mail were carried in the four locked corner pockets.

What caused the demise of the Pony Express?  A faster form of communication -- the telegraph.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 28, 2013

Modern wind turbines and the vertical windmill I featured earlier this month are wonderful new inventions, but I'm still fond of the old fashioned windmills that dotted farmlands across the country. 

What do you think?  If you were putting a windmill in your yard, which kind would it be?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 21, 2013

Weather is a major factor in Wyoming, and so it's not surprising that one of Cheyenne's "These Boots Are Made for Talking" boots includes pictures of all kinds of violent weather.  This boot is located in front of the new NCAR (National Center for Atmospheric Research) building just west of the city. 

Who Reads Amanda Cabot's Books? The Novel Book Club Does

This month I'm delighted to introduce you to not one reader but a whole group of them as the spotlight shines on The Novel Book Club of Eaton, Colorado.  I've had a chance to meet the members of this book club, and I can assure you that they're a delightful group of women with an avid interest in books.

Now, let's learn a bit more about them.

How did you choose the name for your club?
     We began meeting at the Novel Bookstore.
I was intrigued by the name and did a little research.  It turns out that the Novel Bookstore has closed.  (Sigh!)  But it seems that there's a new place to buy books in Eaton.  A Novel Shoppe is a combination florist and bookstore.  I'm putting that on my 'must visit' list the next time I get to that part of Colorado.

When was your book club formed?
     2006
I'm impressed!  I've seen other book clubs have promising beginnings but end after a year or two.  It's a testimony to all of you that you're still such a vibrant group.

Where do you meet and how frequently?
     We meet at the Hawkstone Clubhouse in Eaton once a month.

How many members do you have?
     We have about twenty ladies.
Wonderful!  With that many, I'm sure you have some spirited discussions.

Are you looking for new members?
     We don't actively look for new members, but we accept those who are interested in joining.

Do you read fiction, non-fiction or a mixture?
     We read a mixture.
That makes it more fun, doesn't it?

How do you choose books?
     Usually by a member recommendation.

Which was the first Amanda Cabot book that you read?
     Summer of Promise

How did you choose that book?
     Member recommendation.
My thanks to that member and to all of you who read my book.

And, readers, if you're in the Eaton, Colorado area and are looking for a bookclub, this is one you might want to consider.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 14, 2013

Wyoming is noted for its wind, and so it's not surprising to see wind farms like this one as you travel throughout the state.  What always amazes me about them is the size of the turbines.  Those are ordinary power lines in the foreground, giving you an idea of just how tall the turbines are.

While they're designed to handle even Wyoming's winds, one particularly strong storm resulted in one of the turbines collapsing when the center shaft bent over at a 90 degree angle.  Only in Wyoming, or at least I hope so.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 7, 2013

What is this?  I don't blame you if your first guess wasn't a windmill, because this is not your normal windmill.  Instead, it's a vertical one, designed for use in small spaces like this one at the Paul Smith Children's Village, part of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. 

Have you seen other vertical windmills?  I haven't.