Thermopolis

Thermopolis is a very interesting town at the north end of the Wind River Canyon. It means "hot city" due to the natural hot springs there. It has the greatest hot springs park boasting the worlds largest mineral hot springs, a bison park that is home to a small herd of free roaming bison, and the Wyoming Dinosaur Center and dig sites.

After falling asleep to thunderstorms last night, and waking up to 40 degrees this morning, we decided to break camp. No kidding, I stumbled out of the wet tent, got in the car, and blasted the heat just to warm up.

Drove to Jackson Hole and took the loop drive through Teton park, past Jenny Lake. This area is popular with bikers, and bicyclists. For anyone who has traveled here, you know how awesome the vistas are. I don't think I could ever tire of that view of Mt. Moran or Mt. Teton with Jenny Lake in the foreground.

After we left that area, we headed east on highway 26 again, passing through the Wind River Reservation to Riverton. Lot of history in this area, telling the story of railroad "tie hackers" who fabricated ties from the area timber for the railroad, sending them miles down the Wind River to Riverton, helping establish the coast to coast railroad. Heading north from Riverton, we pass through the high cliffs of the Wind River Canyon to Thermopolis. This whole area is high desert and wide open sagebrush plains, very different from the higher altitude alpine meadows we left this morning. Believe it or not, we spotted a small black bear near the Kinnear area. Seemed totally  out of place.

The Days Inn we're staying at in Thermopolis has the most extensive display of animal mounts I've ever seen. The man who owns this place was apparently born into a wealthy family and he has spent his life on hunts all over the world. Hundreds of photos fill the walls, showing his trips to every continent. Interesting place for those who aren't offended by that sort of thing.

Tomorrow we plan on checking out the dinosaur museum. Then it's on to the Ten Sleep canyon and Buffalo. We're making our way back to the Black Hills and Custer State Park area as we missed that on the way out.