Sage to Stage!

Today was the first of two consecutive drives to get us back to Denver, the origin of our latest adventure and from where we fly back to the UK. Great weather again to start the day, but various news bulletins warned of forest fires burning out of control in Wyoming and Colorado and with warm winds fanning the Prairies, Casper (today's destination) could experience some smoke haze. Anyway, we got off to an early start, heading east on a long straight highway which cut through sagebrush and lush, irrigated, pasture-land. We drove eighty miles with barely another car or house in sight on this vast landscape. Then we came to Thermopolis, a town of around three-thousand people which appears to depend on passing tourists who happen upon this crossroad town and its hot springs. We made a short stop, walking Main Street and noticing that every other shop seems to be an antiques shop, of sorts.

Moving on, the GPS instructed us to turn right onto 6th Street and drive ninety six miles! We did and again, apart from a 'Rest Area' where we stopped for a picnic, we saw nothing but natural brush vistas until we reached Casper. Fortunately we didn't encounter smoke! Casper too, owes its origin to being at the centre of several major wagon and stagecoach routes to the West, such as the Oregon Trail. Now its Wyoming's second biggest city, but has a small town feel to it. Time being limited, we checked in to the Quality Inn (very nice!) and then drove Downtown to get a feel of the place.

A short but interesting visit.....and made special by going to "Poor Boys Steakhouse" for dinner......the Santa Fe steak (pre-marinated in a chilli concoction) is among the top five steaks I've ever had!! And lastly, today's musical reminder......