Fort Phil Kearney + Fetterman Battle site

We had passed signs for this historical site several times so decided we had better go today.  The Fort only lasted from 1866 to 1868 and was one of three Forts built along the Bozeman Trail to protect travelers heading to find their fortunes in the new mines in Virginia City.   Unfortunately the trail passed through last Northern Plains hunting grounds of Sioux, Arapaho, and Cheyenne Indians and pretty much decimated all their resources for survival.  The tribes came together, organized, and came up with a plan that resulted in the Fetterman Battle on December 21, 1866.  Seventy-nine soldiers and two civilians were killed in a short battle against a huge number of Indians.  The land was returned to the Cheyenne in the Treaty of 1868.  

Imagine these lands covered with herds of bison.  

Last Day in Longmire Country

We enjoyed a fascinating talk with Craig Johnston, author of the Longmire books; the assistant producer; the special effects man; the props guy; the"blood lady"; and the woman who created the Longmire Posse on Facebook.  Over two hours we heard great stories about the show, the actors, and a lot of "how it was done" facts.  Basically the Longmire series is an exceptional show and the cast and crew are like family to each other - unusual for along running show.  There will be Longmire Days again next year and everyone hopes they will be in cooler weather.  We won a 6 month Netflix gift card for driving the most miles for the weekend.  Unfortunately our timing was off and we did not get to see any of the cast.  😥

But we have our own version.

After lunch at The Busy Bee we drove around town to see the area surrounding the golf course.  Had to do a U-turn after seeing the perfect shot below:

What a view!

 

Hot Buffalo

Seems like everywhere in the US is having Hot, hot, hot.  Buffalo is no exception.  Fortunately the nights are delightfully cool - windows open and blanket on.  Today was a time to yourself day - after 15 days on the road (without any golf).  Roscoe had a 7:20 AM tee time at Buffalo Golf Course and I slept in a bit late.  Imagine my surprise (OK - maybe a little displeasure) when he was back at 10:00!   He enjoyed the short morning on the links with no glove, borrowed clubs, no GPS and wearing walking shoes.  Had to buy six balls and came home with eight!  

This is fourth tee, par 3, and the green is 100 feet below.  Because of the low humidity here the greens are very fast - he "needs" to go back to adjust his game to that...

The afternoon was spent avoiding the heat among the crowds on Main Street for Longmire Days.  The heat plus the mile high elevation threw me for a loop so we took a drive beyond Buffalo towards Sheridan.  Miles and miles of gravel county roads with hay ranches and bales and bales piled high were what we saw.  Finally found Lake Desmet - an absolutely beautiful lake in the hills.  It has an interesting history and is part of the Bozeman Trail.  

Photos taken by a manmade dam of "clinkers".  There is a huge coal deposit beneath the lake.

Close to the lake we were on a road with several big houses that appear to be second (or third or fourth) homes.  Saw a for sale sign on this land.

Want to make an offer?  

Kaycee

What a drive on I 25 to Kaycee - in 44 miles we saw three other vehicles!  Now that is a pleasant interstate way to go.  Add that to the list of things Wyoming has going for it.  I don't remember the grand Kaycee sign from last year - maybe it is new.  (Yes, a bit dark...)

We headed to the Chris LaDoux Park - beautiful as always although the hollyhocks have not yet reached their prime.  Roscoe asked what the flowers were in this photo:  DEER FOOD aka Day Lilies.

We then strolled over to the restaurant.

So here are the first photos of food:

Fabulous Green Chili

Green Chili Burger -this is a meal for a giant!

The waitress always has some interesting information. The restaurant is busy all year - really!  The winters are not as bad as those in Wisconsin because it is so dry and windy.  The snow blows away!  Hmmm.  The best information is that sheep shearers come from New  Zealand every year in late winter and stay for several months to shear all the sheep around.  Her son's ranch has about 1500 sheep.  The shearers also go around to all   the Alpaca Farms in the States to shear them too.    She also mentioned that she has about 25 peacocks!  

On to the rodeo down the street.  Tonight's was all about Bull Riding; Bronco Busting and Team Calf Roping.   I got one good video of a bronco but cannot figure out how to upload it.  Stay tuned! 

Trail Ride

We survived two hours in Western saddles!  It was a  magnific ride in gorgeous weather and scenery.  We were a group of 6 - one guide and five riders.  The horses  were incredibly sure footed, scrambling over rocky paths, fallen trees from the Winter's heavy snows, and crossing fast moving creeks whose beds were also littered with stones.  Our guide, Ethan, is a Buffalo native.  In the winter he is a guide for mountain lion hunters - "an incredible adrenalin rush" according to him.  He also guides deer, elk, and bear hunters and is working on becoming  a fishing guide.

I managed to take a couple photos - note to self: buy an iPhone holder to wear around my neck - really hard to get phone from pocket, take photos, guide horse, etc.  Ethan generously took photos of us,

My horse

Roscoe's horse

What a backdrop!!!

Back to the camper for long hot showers and an even longer nap!  Seems we have a standard weather pattern of heavy winds and then a quick hard shower about 3:30 in the afternoon.  Rain should get the Kaycee Rodeo grounds in perfect shape for tonight's Youth Rodeo.  We will head to the Invasion Restaurant before the rodeo for some of their Green Chili - yum! 

Here is one of the best photos so far:

Maybe he could be Longmire's double!

Crazy Woman Canyon

We had to do this drive again - Roscoe says he knows who the canyon was named for...maybe in a former life?  Just as gorgeous as we remember from last year except the heavy snow and wet Spring have brought glorious wildflowers.  Photos cannot show the height of the canyon walls or  the beauty of the flowers - you will just gave to come out here and see for yourself.

Crazy Woman Creek

Some of the wildflowers 

After the canyon we headed back to Buffalo and stopped at a scenic overlook.  The Bighorns still have heavy snow cap.  Learned that the highest one we see is just under 13000 feet.

Competing with the majesty of the mountains were the hundreds of lupines - reminiscent of Maine!  I wish I could take some back to South Carolina!

Closer to Buffalo we saw a scene only found in the West: a herd of cattle were close to the road herded by two cowboys and a dog.  One decided he wanted no part of this exercise and went running down the side of the road with a cowboy and dog in pursuit.  Traffic paused to watch and stay a safe distance away.  After several tries, the cowboy gave up and headed back to the herd while the maverick headed toward someone's vegetable garden!

 

We were inspired watching this so have signed up for a trail ride tomorrow.  We won't be chasing maverics and are hoping we can walk after two hours in the saddle...

Wyoming!

Who would have thought that we left SC for cooler weather and would see 101 degrees in Wyoming?  But it is dry - and the nights are breezy and cool.  On our way to Buffalo we stopped to view Devils Tower, the first National Monument (1906).

It is hard to get a sense of how big and strange it is.  It does seem like something from another world!

Next we found the right sized place for Hilda's first bath!  I am sure she appreciated the cool water - I sure did when it hit me!

At least the first layer of bugs is washed away - lots of bugs from lots of states!  

We are now camped at Deer Park, the same campground we stayed at last year.  Feels like home!

Coming into Buffalo we got a glimpse of the Big Horn Mountains still snow capped while we have 100 degrees on the highway. 

Deer Park is filling up with campers coming for this weekend's Longmire Days festivities.  Glad we got here early!