Wednesday in Wyoming - December 28, 2022

 

It must have been fun to be a guest at the Historic Governor's Mansion and find your room decorated for the holiday. How often do you find a tree waiting for you when you spend the night with friends or family?

As 2022 comes to an end, I want to thank you for visiting my blog and wish you a new year filled with health, happiness, and everything you hold most dear.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 21, 2022

 

Doesn't this look festive? I wonder if this is what the residents at the Historic Governor's Mansion left for Santa on his rounds. If so, he probably wanted to linger there.

However you celebrate Christmas, I hope it's a joyous day for you.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 14, 2022

 

Is your kitchen decorated for Christmas? Given how much time must have been spent in the Historic Governor's Mansion kitchen preparing for festive dinners, it's no surprise that the staff wanted to make their room special.

Wednesday in Wyoming - December 7, 2022

 

It's the season to deck the halls, and the Historic Governor's Mansion in Cheyenne does that exceptionally well.

The entire house, from the entrance hallway to the children's playroom in the attic to the fallout shelter in the basement (a reminder of the Cold War) are filled with festive decorations. 

As you can tell, it's a beautiful place to visit, particularly at this time of the year. That's why I plan to feature pictures from it for this month's Wednesday in Wyoming posts.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 30, 2022

 

When you think about sand dunes, do you think of Colorado? The National Park Service certainly does. That's because Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is located there.

I was surprised by the height of the dunes (they're the tallest in North America) and was fascinated by the way they are constantly moving, thanks to the wind. Prior to visiting this park, my only experience with dunes had been along the Great Lakes or the Atlantic Ocean. What a pleasant surprise to discover that I only had to travel a couple hundred miles to see them.

If you'd like to learn more about the dunes and the other parts of this park/ preserve, here's the link.

I hope you've enjoyed this month's posts about Colorado. Next month we'll return to Wyoming. 

Wednesday Near Wyoming _ November 23, 2022

 

First question: What are these? 

Answer: Coke ovens. 

Next question: What is a coke oven? 

Answer: A furnace-like device used to "cook" the impurities from coal.

Last question: Why is a coke oven needed?

Answer: Gold and silver weren't the only minerals mined in Colorado. As you've undoubtedly guessed from this post, coal was also mined there. And for some uses, coal needed to be converted to coke. 

That's the short version of the story. For a more detailed explanation, click here.

Wednesday Near Wyoming - November 16, 2022

 

For a fascinating look at what the park's brochure calls a window into the past, you need travel no further than Mesa Verde National Park. 

I was awed by the construction of these cliff dwellings and can only imagine what it must have been like to have lived there. 

If you're planning a visit or if you simply want to learn more, here's a link.