Wednesday Near Wyoming - October 31, 2018

Some of you know that I caught an incurable case of Carousel Fever in January 2000, the International Year of the Carousel, and have been visiting antique carousels ever since.

For me, there's nothing quite like an historic merry-go-round unless it's a particularly creative modern one. That's what this one is.  Named the Carousel of Happiness, it's a thoroughly modern carousel with such imaginative animals that I doubt anyone can look at it without smiling or even laughing out loud.

And, as you can see, the animals are dressed for Halloween, making this the perfect picture to share today.

Where do you find this gem? In the small Colorado mountain town of Nederland, just north of Boulder.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - October 24, 2018

I'm sure you have no trouble guessing where this picture was taken.

Although I've been to Mount Rushmore several times, the sight of those four massive heads carved in the mountain never fails to impress me. And the avenue of flags leading to the monument itself is a wonderful introduction to South Dakota's most iconic spot.

Did you know that Rapid City, the city closest to Rushmore, calls itself the City of Presidents and has statues of all former presidents? I may share pictures of some of them with you next spring, so be sure to come back and see who's featured then.

Meanwhile, do you have a favorite among the four who are immortalized on Rushmore? I do.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - October 17, 2018

Have you ever been to Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area?

Based on the name, you won't be surprised that this area is famous for its trout fishing, boating, hiking, bird watching, and other outdoor activities. What might surprise you is that it spans two states -- Wyoming and Utah.

Since this month I'm focusing on spots near Wyoming, you'd be correct in guessing that this picture was taken in Utah.

Isn't the combination of red and white rocks with green brush beautiful?

Wednesday Near Wyoming - October 10, 2018

When is a bale of hay more than a bale of hay? When it's turned into an Easter bunny.

I spotted these special bales in Nebraska on the drive to Carhenge. (Remember that from the spring Wednesday Near Wyoming posts?)

Did the bunnies make you smile? I certainly smiled when I saw them.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - October 3, 2018

Last spring's Wednesday Near Wyoming posts were so popular that I decided to give you an encore this month.

Can you guess where this was taken? If you said, "Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park," you were right. The park, which I've heard described as the "crown jewel of the national park system," is only a couple hours from Cheyenne -- the perfect distance for a day trip.

This is one of my favorite spots in Rocky, as the locals refer to it, just past the summit of Trail Ridge Road on the western side of the park. We're above the tree line here, and on this particular day, the tundra was turning its fall colors. Simply beautiful!

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 26, 2018

You may not know it, but Wyoming is the least densely populated of the fifty states. It's not hard to believe that when you see this road, is it?

Wednesday in Wyoming -- September 19, 2018

A teepee in the middle of Cheyenne? Although it's not a permanent part of the State Museum's front yard, this one was erected for Frontier Days to give visitors something interesting to see when they drove by and to encourage them to visit the museum.

I know I probably sound as if I work for the tourism bureau. I don't, but the State Museum is on the "must see" list for my out-of-town guests. From dinosaurs to sheep wagons to intriguing rotating exhibits, it's well worth a visit. And, if you come at the right time, you might even be able to go inside the teepee.