Wednesday in Wyoming - September 4, 2019

Have you ever heard of Fort Fetterman? If you're not a western history buff or a Wyomingite, you may not have, but it was a key staging point during the nineteenth century Indian Wars.

So, where is this fort? It's just a few miles outside of Douglas, Wyoming, which is right on Interstate 25. (I'm picturing you pulling out your maps or -- more likely -- using a mapping app to see where that is.)

Like many forts of that era, once Fetterman was decommissioned, the buildings were sold and dismantled, leaving little for future historians. But two of the original buildings have been restored and are open to the public from Memorial  to Labor Day.

One of them, a former officer's housing duplex, includes this example of an officer's quarters. As you might expect, the precise placement of everything reflects the resident's military training.

If you're interested in learning more about the fort's history, here's a link you may find interesting. And be sure to come back next week to see more pictures of the fort.

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 28, 2019

What do you think this bear is doing? Getting ready for a summer nap? Hoping to spot something to eat? Or maybe just climbing over the log?

All I know is that I smiled when I saw the statue, which is part of the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens' "Gardens Gone Wild" exhibit, featuring almost twenty of Dan Ostermiller's sculptures.

I've only shown you a few this month, but I hope you agree that it's an intriguing exhibit. Next month, we'll move outside of Cheyenne itself for our Wednesdays in Wyoming.

Wednesday in Wyoming -- August 21, 2019

Do you suppose these cats are discussing the topiary trees? I doubt it, but you never know.

As you've probably guessed, this is another of  Dan Ostermiller's "Gardens Gone Wild" sculptures currently on display at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens.

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 14, 2019

This shy elephant is one of my favorite pieces in the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens' "Gardens Gone Wild" exhibit, featuring sculptures by Dan Ostermiller.

And, of course, the Grand Conservatory makes a gorgeous background for the elephant and other sculoptures.

Wednesday in Wyoming - August 7, 2019

Where on Earth would you find a rooster this big? At the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens! It's part of the Gardens Gone Wild exhibit featuring almost twenty sculptures by artist Dan Ostermiller.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 31, 2019

Wyoming's state mammal is the bison, so it's only fitting that there would be a bison at the State Museum. What makes this exhibit more interesting than might be apparent at first glance is that the base of the poles are not ordinary metal circles but are bison-shaped.

Wednesday in Wyoming - July 24, 2019

This week Cheyenne is hosting Frontier Days, the biggest event of the year. While the highlight is the world's largest outdoor rodeo, the ten days of CFD (shorthand for Cheyenne Frontier Days) are filled with many other events that make it a delight for visitors.

From pancake breakfasts to grand parades to the Thunderbirds' spectacular air show, there's something for everyone.

I particularly enjoyed seeing this float in one of the parades, since it features an early bookmobile. Who can live without books? I certainly can't.