Road Trip #6 - Day 1 - North to Wyoming and Wind River Canyon

September 2, 2011
Colorado, USA

Greybull, WY -- This morning, about 8:30 am, we rolled north out from under some clouds hanging low and dark over the foothills. Tim pointed out the odometer was sitting at exactly 27,100 miles. Normally, we will roll south or west but there is rain in the New Mexico forecast, it is still too durn hot in Texas and Oklahoma and we just spent nine days riding in the Colorado's southwest corner. The Wyoming forecast is sunny and warm so, here we are sitting in a cozy little motel in Greybull, WY.

It was jacket weather riding out but we ran out from under the clouds not long after we crossed the Wyoming border. First stop was for fuel and breakfast in Wheatland, WY. We had a great breakfast at the Wheatland Inn (right next door to the Shell). When was the last time you had a breakfast special (2 eggs/bacon/hash browns/short stack) priced at $3.99? Add a couple (ok several) cups of rich, black coffee and color us fat and sassy and ready to ride on.

We stayed on I-25 through Casper, then travelled Hwy 26 the long, long, long, hot, hot, hot 100 miles across no-mans-land Wyoming to Shoshoni where we turned north on Hwy 20. It has been several years since we have been through these parts. We were surprised to see the deterioration of the small town of Shoshoni. We had planned on stopping at a historic malt shop that was once very popular, but the building where it was located is deserted. Rats!

The best part about turning north in central Wyoming is the ride through the Wind River Canyon. The canyon drive is about 35 miles or so and runs through the edge of the Wind River Indian Reservation and Boysen State Park skirting the edge of the Boysen Reservoir. The canyon walls loom over 2000 feet above the road. Interpretive signage all along the way points out the geology of the area, many of the rock formations from the Precambrian period (some of the oldest rock formations in the world). The road runs beside the Wind River until near the end of the canyon where we get the Wedding of the Rivers as it joins the Bighorn River.
Vik - Wind River Canyon, WY

Wind River Canyon Ride -2011

Thermopolis, WY is home to the world’s largest mineral hot springs. The state park is worth the stop, but we have seen it before and decided to ride on through this time. Upon arrival in Greybull, WY we cruised the main drag before rolling into the charming Greybull Motel where we have secured a nice room. I had read the reviews online about this motel and knew this was likely the place we would stay. The hosts are friendly. The walks in front of the rooms are lined with beautiful flowers. There are several sheltered picnic tables and lots of cozy spots to relax. The room is clean and neat. We have booked a couple more days here.

The owner of the motel recommended a restaurant within walking distance so we took a short stroll to Lisa's Western Cuisine and Spirits. We stepped in, but it seemed a bit stuffy inside so we chose a table on the patio and ordered a couple of Ultras. The food was a bit pricey, we thought. Tim says his steak was OK, but rather small and he liked the sauce. I ordered the special (chicken and pasta). The Young and somewhat snooty waitress said it was not a special it was a feature. La-tee-dah! The pasta was OK, the chicken - mostly rubber, so I have to agree with her -- there was certainly nothing "special" about my $18 "feature". Ha! The atmosphere was simply buzzing. I think Lisa's should invest in citronella candles or install something to move the air - flies were a nuisance.

After dinner, we strolled down the all but deserted streets of sleepy little Greybull, listened to a man broadcasting his own music across quiet main street from a swap shop (he was pretty good) and picked up some beer and snacks at a convenience store. We met a group of Vietnam Veterans staying at the same motel and talked over a couple of beers at a cozy table near our room about our ride tomorrow. The owner of the motel is a motorcycle rider... he recommended a ride to Cody, Chief Joseph Scenic Byway (both of these we already had in mind) and the Beartooth Scenic Byway.

Today's ride was 440 miles... looking forward to tomorrow... yawn!

Slide show of today's ride to Wyoming (76 photos):