Oct 10-11 2012 Cheyenne

Oct 10-11 2012 Cheyenne

We left Jackson heading south for Rock Springs and the I80. We decided against staying at Rock Springs, got on the I80 going east. We stayed in Rawlins, just long enough to get some dinner, sleep and set off early the next morning. We eventually arrived at Cheyenne. Now we were nicely positioned for our journey south where we hoped to take in some of the beauty Colorado has to offer before going back to Bren's place in Albuquerque and Sean 2nd birthday : )

Cheyenne was a lovely surprise.



LD Valencia, Railroad Engineer

Steam Engine 844

Steam Engine 844 undergoing routine maintenance after arriving in Cheyenne from California.

We went into the tourist information office to find out what we should see while in Cheyenne. As we were about to leave the very helpful lady mentioned that an old steam engine was due into the station in the next hour. There was a bar next door with some tables out back overlooking the tracks. We settled in and waited with a cool beer. I could see the engine way up the tracks, it was at a standstill. Then another train, one of those that take 10 minutes to pass came into the station, stopped and completely obscured our view. I could see engineers leaving the trains and others boarding to star their shift. One engineer came over to me and asked me if I had seen the steam engine. I explained I was waiting for it to move closer when I could get some shots He suggested I go further up the tracks, via the road system, as the train would not be coming any further tonight.

Ten minutes later the engineer reappeared and offered to bring me out on the tracks to get some photos. LD Valencia has worked for the railroad for 41 years. He is considering retirement next April, I wish him well with that. Life begins with retirement.

LD took me out as promised, then we went to his 'local' the Eagles Nest a very cool bikers bar. We had a eer together and he then dropped me back to Brenda who was patiently awaiting my return. 
Thanks LD .

Read More about Steam Engine 844 here

A Wagon, one of dozens from the Western Museum. 

Learn more about the Old West Museum here:  Cheyenne Frontier Days - Old West Museum




8ft high Cowboy Boots, a common sight around Cheyenne, this one outside the State Museum

Learn more about the State Museum here: Wyoming State Museum

The State of Wyoming has a very interesting history. We visited a couple of museums, The Wyoming State Museum  and  Cheyenne Frontier Days - Old West Museum , where we saw exhibits from the time of the dinosaurs through to the arrival of the Native Americans 12,000 years ago and the 'white man' arriving only a few centuries ago. The native American culture and is very well represented as is the evolution and dominance of the modern American. Wyoming is still very much cowboy country and a great place to visit.

Cheyenne is a small city but charming. The square at the centre of the city, where many of the state  building are located is surrounded by residential area giving it the feeling of a town rather than a city. Once again we found everyone to be friendly and very helpful. Loved it here.

Some of our images from Cheyenne

Read more about Cheyenne here: Cheyenne