Pine Bluffs to Cheyenne, Wyoming Friday, August 13, 2021
There’s no getting around it, Wyoming is a weird state. The only state ending in “ing”, which makes it a gerund, I guess, sounds like a verb; the ending is unusual for place names in general (although Lansing, Flushing, Reading, and Corning come to mind). One of only two states that’s a perfect rectangle. The 10th largest state in area, but the smallest state in population, the only one behind Vermont. Home to spectacular scenery and barren wasteland. Named after the Wyoming Valley in Pennsylvania, where Scranton and Wilkes-Barre are, one of that valley’s original land owners was Vermont’s own Ethan Allen. As it happens, I’ve climbed its three highest peaks (Gannett, the Grand Teton, Fremont). Its most populous city, and its capital, is in the extreme southeastern corner of the state. Usually a capital would be more centrally located. There was a time when the Nebraska Panhandle was considering succeeding and joining Wyoming, since Cheyenne was more in tune with its geography and needs than Lincoln. Site of famous Yellowstone and Devils Tower, the Hole in the Wall, and the Teapot Dome scandal.
Other than Pennsylvania, this will be my shortest state sojourn, less than two days, although I’ll probably cross it again. Today’s ride was weird as well, following I-80 the whole way, itself roughly following the Oregon Trail. Seemed flat, but I was going slower than I usually do with a tailwind, the election profile explained why, I was gradually climbing all day.
Friday the 13th, but nothing bad happened, other than hearing a beloved patient had died, I called the family. The state capitol was a little weird, I thought a gold dome meant the state had given us a president, I guess Wyoming and Colorado didn’t get the memo.
At these capitols I usually look around for a statue, to see the state’s most famous son. Here’s all I found:
What, Dick Cheney didn’t make the cut? Now Liz, I could see.
I capped this weird day with a quirky hotel, the “Tru” from Hilton, known for its bright colors, lack of dressers, and “clever” bathrooms. Too clever by half, perhaps, but pleasant enough.
Distance 45 miles, 5,250 total. Time 7 hours with stops. Elevation gain 1,537 feet
©️ 2021 Scott Luria
The Ends of the Earth 