Wednesday in Wyoming -- January 13, 2016

Have you ever seen a ramp like this?  The tire tracks in the foreground give you an idea of its use.  Yes, it's designed to get cattle from the holding pens into those huge trucks that transport them to ... well, you know where they're going.  After all, one of the bumper stickers you'll see in Wyoming is "Beef, It's What's for Dinner."

Wednesday in Wyoming -- January 6, 2016

Old books and fresh eggs?  How often do you see a sign like that? 

If you spotted the sign, would you pull into the driveway in search of books?  If you didn't, you'd be missing  a bookstore that's been featured in the LA Times and that has customers from around the world.  Yes, this is the Mad Dog and The Pilgrim bookstore located in Sweetwater Station Junction, Wyoming.  The town is tiny, but the bookstore is not.

Only in Wyoming?  Maybe.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 30, 2015

The year is almost over, but the celebrations at Fort Laramie continue.  I thought you might enjoy seeing this tree.  While similar to the one the soldiers had in their barracks (last week's post), it's obviously more elaborate, as you would expect from people with more time and money at their disposal.

Here's a closer view that also highlights the fancy card and letter holder on the wall.  Life was definitely easier for the officers and their families than it was for the soldiers.

However you celebrated Christmas, I hope it was a joyous time for you and that you're looking forward to 2016.  I send my wishes for a year filled with peace and happiness.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 23, 2015

For the last couple weeks, I've enjoyed showing you the beautifully decorated tables at the post surgeon's and officers' homes.  Life was different for the enlisted men.  They ate at Spartan tables, and you don't see any candy-topped cakes here.

And, yet, they did their best to decorate their quarters.

The tree looks almost as if it were a tumbleweed.  (Perhaps it was.)  Even with only a few gingerbread men hanging from it, I imagine this humble tree helped bring the joy of Christmas to the soldiers' lives.

Merry Christmas to you and your loved ones!

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 16, 2015

Although the decorations at this Fort Laramie house aren't as elaborate as the ones we saw last week, the table is still festive with its evergreen centerpiece and candy-topped cake.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 9, 2015

Welcome back to Fort Laramie, where the restored homes are getting ready for Christmas.  In addition to the evergreen centerpiece with candy canes hanging from the sides and the candy-topped cakes and gingerbread men on each plate, there's a gingerbread house on the buffet. 

I wish my dining room looked this festive.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- December 2, 2015

It's December, and Fort Laramie is decorated for the holidays.  (Did you notice the red lanterns in addition to the evergreen swag and red bow?)

I hope you'll enjoy this month's blog posts as I share some of the fort's special decorations with you.  While the man-made decorations are lovely, nothing compares to the natural beauty of a fresh coat of snow.