Friends in High Places

One of the beauties of Buffalo is its proximity to the majestic Bighorn Mountains.  

We began yesterday with a walk at Buffalo’s Mountain Plains Heritage Park on the south side of town.  It’s a great spot for the dogs to have a run, or pose for a portrait.  

Rue made it a point to check out Buffalo’s version of a fluffy cow.

After our morning walk, we had an especially pleasant afternoon with friends and neighbors (in Deer Park RV Park), Ross and Carole Mariol.  On the advice of another friend and neighbor, Bill Sage, the four of us set off for one of the highest places around, Sheep Mountain Overlook off Hwy 16 between Buffalo and Tensleep.   We had a few opportunities to pause for road construction, but we soon turned off Hwy 16 and were on our way up the steep, bumpy and winding Route 28.  It is a beautiful area, and the road culminates at the old Sheep Mountain Fire Tower, which is now available as an overnight destination if you want to rough it.

The views in all directions are breathtaking.  

One can certainly get a top-of-the-world feeling standing on the mountaintop.

Carole and I were busy taking photos of the expanse of Wyoming visible from Sheep Mountain, while Ross and John looked for unusual rocks and examined small plants and wildflowers.

I especially liked the vibrant color of the lichens at this altitude.

As well as the Western Giant Puffballs.  Here is one about to split, and I think the next photo shows what is left after the floral eruption.

We enjoyed our half-hour or so at the top looking at the amazing vistas, delicate wildflowers and rock formations.  The weather was beautiful, without too much smoke form fires in northwestern Wyoming and adjacent states.  But, as you can tell, it was a bit windy on the summit.

It was a great afternoon with friends in high places.  We thank Ross for driving, and Bill for his advice on the trip.