Off to Montana

Well, we are off again!  We left Wichita Falls on Wednesday, July 11 headed northwest.  The first day Lannas drove over 500 miles, only stopping for gas, lunch and a few potty breaks.  We stayed at a wonderful KOA south of Pueblo, Colorado.  They had good dog runs, lots of beautiful grass, trees, and a fitness center (which I did use!). 

Railroad Station in Cheyenne

The next day we drove 240 miles to Cheyenne, Wyoming.  It is an interesting town… established in 1867 to be the home of the Union Pacific Railroad, it is the largest city in the state (around 60,000 people) and the capital.  It is also home to the largest outdoor rodeo in the US – Cheyenne Frontier Days.  The rodeo is scheduled to begin on July 23, so one of the museums we wanted to go see was closed due to a Cheyenne Frontier Days committee meeting.   However, we did go to the old railroad station, the capitol (lovely), the Botanical Gardens, and took a trolley tour of the city.  Lannas grilled steaks and we had a great dinner!  

Wyoming Capitol in Cheyenne

Botanical Gardens in Cheyenne

After two nights in Cheyenne, we left Saturday morning and drove to Sheridan, Wyoming.  It is right on the northern border of Wyoming.  This KOA did not have cable and trees on our narrow site prevented us from getting satellite reception…. so, we read and surfed the internet.  We left the next morning headed for Helena, Montana. 

Northern Wyoming and southern Montana is beautiful….wide, rolling hills as far as the eye can see.  Along the way we stopped at the Little Bighorn Battlefield.  You will probably remember that this is where Custer made his last stand against several thousand Lakota and Cheyenne warriors.  It is also a National Cemetery.  Interesting and moving site. 

Monument to Soldiers Who Died at Little Big Horn

Monument to Indians Who Died at Little Big Horn

National Cemetery at Little Big Horn

Along the way Peyton managed to chew through another leash!  He had lots of chew toys, but I guess the leash was handy and he needed a chew. 

Today we took a trolley tour of Helena with a delightful young woman as our guide.  They have some beautiful old homes here.  She said at one time in the distant past they had more millionaires based on population than any city in the country… I think Wichita Falls had that distinction at another time in the distant past. J  We visited the capitol and had a late lunch at a lovely little bistro recommended by our tour guide.

Statue of Early Territorial Governor of Montana

Capitol of Montana

Inside the Capitol Dome