Saturday August 15 Forest Shoshone National Forest, Dubois WY

Woke to rain and 7 degrees…..what a change from a few days ago. Didn’t rush to get out of bed, enjoyed a lie in and a read. The drive into Lander was very wet, but at least it washed the mud of Ruakiwi after her dirt road drive to Atlantic City.

We really enjoyed having a look around Lander, found out so much information about the town from a delightful 85 year old lady (Trudy) who was looking after her son and daughter in laws Fine Art Gallery. The town was was the home to a big steel company, but after it closed a number of years ago it the town survived. Her son and wife started a foundry in town about 20 years ago, casting large bronze pieces, and now they are one of the largest in the USA. We admired a bronze life size horse and cowboy and 3 steers careering down the hill as we entered town, and were pleased to find out the history behind them. The town is now a centre for outdoor activities especially rock climbing, and evidently the astronauts spend 2 weeks in the area, learning survival skills…although not sure how that would help them in space!

Trudy talked about her early days on a farm in Nebraska as the youngest of 7 children, her father died when she was 4 and the family survived under great adversity.

Had lunch in a pub/café in town and by then the rain had stopped although still only 14 degrees.

Enjoyed the drive north west to Dubois, through some big open ranch country and the rather “interesting” reservation land! The valley into town was so picturesque, following the Wind River as it meandered along.

Dubois is a quaint town and managed to find a wifi and talk to the family, Keely is 5 on Tuesday and starts school, so heard all about her “Fairy” birthday party. Skype makes us feel not quite so far away.

Headed to a Forest Campground 20 miles from town, only to find that it was closed for reconstruction, so spotted a large parking area beside the road, used in the winter for snowmobiling…an ideal spot to stay the night. It wasn’t long before another large motorhome pulled into the carpark. Saw warning signs of bear in the area, and Ian was sure that there was bear dung in the carpark…I don’t believe him! As evening set in, so did a light snow fall…amazing. We might wake up to a winter wonderland!