Buffalo Continued...

I can’t believe we’re leaving in just a few days.  We have been here six weeks, and the time has flown by.  We love our campground, Deer Park RV, especially the long-term parking area where we have made such good friends.  Where else can you go out in the morning in your jammies to walk dogs, having perfectly normal conversations with a cup of coffee in one hand and a bag of warm dog poop in the other.  It’s our own little world, with good times shared at happy hour almost every day.  

Bill and Sherrie's Sassy enjoys a sip of beer, and is the only dog with her own chair.

Rick tried out his new chaps while spinning yarns with Ross and John.

Linda, Carole and I joined the guys most afternoons.

We also had fun calling for ready-gos and throwing balls for the dogs.  This time Sophia led the border collies.

We have also grown attached to the handsome bay gelding in the adjacent pasture.  He comes running when he hears our whistles, and is happy to collect all the pats, hugs and carrots we supply.

Here he is getting a hug from Carole

Here are some photos of our time we have so enjoyed.

Following Rick and Linda for a day trip to Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, we passed through some beautiful country.  Unfortunately, smoke from fires in California, Idaho and Montana created hazy conditions in some areas.

There was beautiful scenery, but also some hair-raising twists and turns.  Signs warned of steep grades...up to 10% for some 13 miles on the west side!  They didn't have to tell us twice to use a lower gear.  If we bring Falcon and the Royals to this part of Wyoming, we will choose another route!

Established in 1966 following the construction of Yellowtail Dam, the National Recreation Area  straddles the state line and has sections in both Wyoming and Montana.  Bighorn Lake, created by the dam, extends some 71 miles through both Montana and Wyoming.  Spectacular Bighorn Canyon holds some 55 miles of the lake. We didn't see any of the area's wild mustangs, but there were bighorn sheep on the ridge across the lake...sadly, too far away to show in a photo.

Linda and I took a "girls' day" in Sheridan.  In addition to the obligatory Walmart visit, we toured the historic Sheridan Inn.  The Inn was built in 1892 by the Burlington & Missouri Railroad and the Sheridan Land Company at a cost of $25,000.  The formal grand opening was held on June 18, 1893, three years after Wyoming attained statehood.  Originally there were 64 sleeping rooms on the second and third floors.  Copies of the original plans are on display, and it showed rooms as small as 8'x8'.  Famous guests included "Buffalo Bill" Cody, who made it his home when he was in Sheridan.  He is said to have auditioned acts for his wild west show while sitting on the Inn's grand porch.

The hotel was refurbished sometime in the 1960s and in 1964 was designated a National Historic Landmark.  It still welcomes guests, but now there are only 20 or so rooms available.  Much more comfortable, I'm sure.   

It was too early for a beer, but we did stop in at the Mint Bar downtown.  Established in 1907, it was a gathering place for cowboys and ranchers.  Prohibition put a stop to alcohol sales in 1919, but a "speakeasy" in the back room continued to serve patrons. 

Mounts of elk, deer, pronghorn, moose and other critters line the walls, along with photos of cowboys and early settlers taken over the years.  Above the bar are a couple of wolf mounts, along with an almost- too-big-to-be-believed rattlesnake.  Shingles bearing the brands of hundreds local ranches fill in the gaps.  The Mint is a not-to-be-missed attraction, whether you're in the mood for a beer or not.