Installment #15 - Retirement Trip
4-24-06
Gradually we have been moving north and west towards home. Stayed on Judy and Larry Mann’s ranch in Alliance a little longer to learn more about herding cattle, fixing sprinkler systems for the irrigation circles and much more. Attended an open house for Callan Ackerman’s new business recently opened in Alliance, attended Kathie’s 50th birthday party, and spent more time with Uncle Jean and Maxine.
Next we moved on to Scottsbluff to see Uncle Leo and Zetta and friend Pam Schnell. After leaving Scottsbluff, we stopped in Cheyenne to see the "Big Boy", one of the largest steam engines ever built (one of eight). Weather was so windy, again. Interstate 80 is one of the highways that often gets closed during severe weather conditions.
Laramie, Wyoming, was our next stop to see the two nephews who live there, Michael and Nick. Michael had time to show us around Laramie the next morning before we left for Green River, Wyoming, to brother Jim’s. In Green River Jim and his family continued the tradition of serving steak to us!
We took a four hour tour of the Solvay mine (where Jim works)http://www.solvaychemicals.us/products.htm). Straight down 1600 feet into a vast Trona mine (an ore used in manufacture of glass – a valuable commodity). We were able to get a good look at the "long wall" – the business end of everything. We were first decked out in proper gear – helmet, safety boots, safety belt with breathing aparatus, and safety lamp attached to helmet (picture). What a sight we were.
Day 76, Jim, Kathie and son Cody took us on a long ride around parts of Wyoming that most people don’t know exist after Jim and Tony looked over the railroad switching yard in Green River (picture). Some of the sights we saw on our long ride were "teapot and sugar bowl" rocks, lots of wild horses (picture), deer and antelope running close together, sheep herder and petroglyphs. Tony was amazed by the performance of Jim’s Ford Explorer after going places we’d be nervous in taking our ATV, and even more amazed by the performance on our Day 77 trip. Sharon was very glad he had a GPS on Day 77. Jim drove to the top of a very scenic area (where tiger creat rock can be found – used for Indian arrowheads) and after some on-foot exploring he chose to try to get back a different way – which gave us a chance to see more antelope, some eagles, and prairie dogs – as well as some edges of mountains that didn’t look as if we should go down – but we went down anyway.
Brother Dick & Cindy stopped overnight at Jim & Kathie’s for a dinner party. Tony surprised Sharon with an early anniversary rose and box of chocolates after dinner (picture).
Niece Brittany is now just 18 days away from high school graduation. Lots of preparations are in the making for this occasion (pictures, announcements, prom dress, etc.) Nephew Cody entertained us with kite flying and making funnel cakes on the last day in Green River.
Our next scheduled stop will be at Dick & Cindy’s in Riverton, Wyoming. Maybe we started back home a little early. Evidently it snowed last night (Sunday), because South Pass still had snow in places across he road. When we stopped for lunch at the bottom just 30 miles from Riverton, the snow plow came by. Snow was higher than some of the snow fences in places.
Thanks to everyone along the route for making our "retirement trip" so much fun. And…since you all were so eager to show us a good time….we will be back. We just don’t know when.
Labels: Friends, Relatives, State-Nebraska, State-Wyoming, StWY Big Boy, StWY Solvay, travel
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