New Country

Thanks to everyone who congratulated Vernon and I on our 40th anniversary yesterday. I should have posted about it last night, but was rather tired from our expedition. We didn’t have a plan, but our impulse decisions gave us a fun day.

Vernon chose to drive down Crazy Woman Canyon. This scenic route from Highway 16 on top of the Big Horn Mountains down to the plains south of Buffalo, Wyoming is growing more and more popular. Of course, improvement of the road has helped more people access the area. I remember when a pickup was preferred to drive the narrow dirt road, but our little Jeep made it down just fine.

Crazy Woman Creek accompanies you on this journey… stop and take the time to smell the forest at one of the many little campsites. If geology is your interest, there’s plenty to look at. The large boulders and cliffs at the bottom of the canyon were being used for a photo shoot, so we just cruised on by…

After a short stop in Buffalo, we were off to my choice for the day… the Dry Creek Petrified Forest just east of town. The short hike led you around to view metasequoia trees, which at one time stood 200′ tall. Fossilized stumps now are scattered about, certainly many still buried and out of sight. Growing in 70˚ year round temperature with an average rainfall of perhaps 50″ (!). It’s difficult to imagine Wyoming as a jungle! Talk about climate change…

While the majority of stumps were just stump sized, the last one was impressive. Excavated and supported from eroding down the hillside, this one gave a better impression of what they really could have looked like.

Back in the Jeep and back to Buffalo. Smoke lay heavy along the Big Horns. I asked Vernon if he’d like to see Fort Phil Kearny, and he agreed he would. Of course, you’re familiar with the cavalry post since I took Jaxon and Quinlan there last year.

We barely looked around, but I gave a running explanation of events that I have learned since last year’s visit. I may have visited the gift shop for some young boys’ presents though…

Off again, past the Fetterman Battlefield monument, and north to Big Horn, Wyoming.

I chose to explore the Red Grade Road instead of taking Highway 14 over the Big Horns. I’ve heard of it, but haven’t ever been there. Oh, whew! When the first sight you have is a pickup and horse trailer with all four wheels smoking from riding the brakes… I wondered what it was going to be like!

Just FYI. Going *UP* the road at 4 pm on Sunday when everyone else is coming *DOWN* from the weekend… you’d better pay attention. The road is narrow, with a steep drop-off on the side, and I was glad we were in my little Jeep instead of our larger pickup, at least I felt we could pass other vehicles easier!

This photo doesn’t do it justice…

The quick rise up 7,000′ would give great views of eastern Wyoming if it wasn’t for smoke…

A wider road and gentler climb up to 9,000′ elevation follows. Many small lakes and brief views of the mountains follow… though most of the drive through is lined with pine and fir. We kind of zipped through knowing we were taking a long way home. Vernon admitted to wanting to come back and explore some more, so maybe with an earlier start we will return!

We met up with Highway 14 and took a left through Shell Canyon, back to Worland and then home. It was great fun to get away and see some new country!

Find me here!

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