June 9, 2016 Boysen State Park to Thermopolis, WY

After I finished the blog last night we were sitting outside enjoying the sunset and watched the geese out on the lake. It was so peaceful and really beautiful!

We also saw something that was swimming near the surface of the lake. We couldn’t tell what it was, but thought maybe muskrats. They were too far out to get a pictures so we went to bed thinking that is what we saw. This morning after a picnic breakfast of pancakes and bacon Marcia told me that our mystery muskrats turned out to be carp! I walked back down to the lake because they were very close to the shore, and sure enough, they were carp!

The guys were ready to go by 8 am and had an easy ride through the Wind River Canyon. Driving out of the Marina Campground area we had a great view of the train tunnel which is cut through the canyon walls.

We stopped several times for pictures and to read the signs about the canyon and dam.


The scenery was beautiful!
And back on the road again! There is one section of Highway 20 where there are 3 tunnels and no shoulder. I was a little worried about their drive through them, so Marcia pulled in right behind them and went slow enough to prevent any other cars from coming up on them.

Once through the tunnels, they were on their way again!
Marcia and I both saw some beautiful purple wildflowers and wanted a closer look. We climbed up one small hill and were rewarded with not only a beautiful picture of the flowers, but a beautiful butterfly!

We were hoping to see bighorn sheep in the canyon but missed any that might have been there. I did, however, have a view of this rock chip in my windshield for my morning drive. Yesterday on the road from Shoshoni to the campground – only 16 miles – a truck coming the opposite direction threw a rock up and it crashed into the windshield. It sounded like a bullet and left its mark. We were able to get it repaired in Thermopolis at Finishing Touches. Nice guys and they did a great job.

At the end of the canyon, the tall rock walls give way to a somewhat flatter, redder terrain as we came into Thermopolis.

We stopped in town for groceries and McFlurries at the McDonalds. It was a nice morning treat! The guys remounted their bikes for the final 3 miles out to the Fountain of Youth RV Park and thermal pools. Camping in an RV park is certainly different that where we have been the last few nights! The mosquitos are plentiful here, also!

After some house cleaning and lunch, Tobey, Marcia and I went to see the Hot Springs State Park. It was interesting that the Teepee Fountain in the picture below is manmade. In 1909, Park Superintendent Jacob Paulus received complaints from the lessees in the park that they couldn’t get any mineral water pressure. He came up with an idea of installing a vent pipe to prevent the build up of steam and minerals in the pipes allowing the gasses to escape, and it seemed to have worked. He erected a stone pyramid around the pipe, with a basin at the bottom to catch the water. The mineral water coated the stone structure with a snowy white formation, making it unique in the world. It was pretty cool to see.

The park has several picnic pavilions, some of which were donated by the Lions Club. Yeah, Lions!! This statue, The Feather Fountain, also had a Lions Club Plaque by it.

We also drove The Buffalo Pasture Road and stopped to take pictures of more wild flowers. There were so many different varieties it was amazing!

Around the loop we were treated to buffalo up close to the road. This big guy was rubbing against the fence. We took video and it was pretty funny. You can watch it if you click on this link:

https://youtu.be/o1vkkPRK7sY

There were a couple mamas nursing their babies next to the road, also.

After the park, we made a stop in town at the local quilt shop. Yes, Tobey is a good husband! Back at the camp we changed and hit the hot pools. The first pool was warm and easy to be in; the second was 106 and was a bit warm for my liking. It was relaxing after our busy day.

The ride today was only 24 miles, but planned that way so the guys would have a good rest day. The temperature topped 93 today and the forecast is for hotter than usual temperatures for the next 3-4 days. They will get an early start tomorrow and hope to get to Meeteetse (about 55 miles) or beyond.