Traveling out west in Wyoming eases the soul and rests the mind. Just traveling the open roads without traffic congestion is a good stress relief.
All roads lead to somewhere and we’ll eventually get there. However, let’s relax and enjoy some of the beauty along the way.
Let’s not forget the simple wildlife too. These cute little prairie dogs were at the Sweetwater Rest Area. I had fun trying to sneak up on them to take their photos. Although they are a little camera shy I was able to snap a few while hiding behind a post. Sneaky, huh? Also, I guess the sign doesn’t apply to prairie dogs. 🙂
Red rock formations near Lander and Dubois, Wyoming
Following a beautiful, yet wide-open plains travel into Wyoming as we traveled toward the Grand Tetons and Yellowstone, we welcomed a respite in Lander. One could naturally feel the pioneer and western spirit.
While Lander is a stopping point, it is also a beginning point for those desiring to explore the mountains or the desert. It is surely a welcomed site for bicyclists and hikers. In 1906, Chicago and North Western Transportation made Lander the end point of its “Cowboy Line” railway and the town earned the slogan “Where the rails end and the trails begin.” The Cowboy Line ran from 1906 to 1972. (Lander Chamber of Commerce)
The Wind River Indian Reservation is quite stunning. I can see why travelers would consider settling there, albeit the winters can be quite brutal. I can see also why the Indians fought so valiantly to retain their dwelling and hunting land. Still, with the news of opportunity in the west continuing to bombard those in the east, it was inevitable that travelers would come.
“For 19th century prospectors and miners in the rich gold fields
of South Pass, the crimson mouth of Red Canyon meant a change in diet. From the
wind-swept sagebrush prairie, they could descend nearly 2,000 feet down a steep
wagon road to the fruit orchards and vegetable gardens in the warm valley below
where they purchased fresh produce – a welcome switch from wild game meat.” https://windriver.org/destinations/lander/
Since we had been traveling for a few hours along the Chief
Washakie Trail, lunch was calling. We
traveled through Lander and located a local, nice place to eat – Gannett
Grill.
The menu was enticing as we examined something different. That’s one of the interesting and fun parts of travel, getting to try things different than our normal routine. The food was excellent and we enjoyed sitting outside, relaxing from the drive.
Menu
Counter area
Patio
Order counter
Patio
Patio door
Patio and brewery
Inside dining and bar
Inside dining
Old bullet casings
Old fly fishing gear
Old fly fishing reel
Old lantern
Old tools for pioneers
Before leaving Lander, we wanted to check out some authentic Native American gift items and stopped at the Indian Territory gift shop.
Metal buffalo display
Metal teepee (tipi) display
Craft supplies
Craft processing area
Craft supplies
Craft supplies
Native American-made items
I liked Lander. The people were friendly. The town wasn’t large, but it had about all the conveniences you need.
Time didn’t permit stopping at the western museum but it is worth
a stop if you’re in the area. Here is
some of their information. http://museumoftheamericanwest.com/#first-row
