Thinking of moving to the Sheridan area (Casper, Buffalo: movers, buy)
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Sheridan is great for outdoor activities late May through maybe part of October. Just wanted to mention to be sure to consider the winter's here. We have a really good YMCA, but from the people I've met (and hired) from other places, they were disappointed in winter activities.
This is a random question but I have to ask. Are there any bars in Sheridan that have a pool table? Here you have to wait for half the night for a free pool table, even at a pool hall. Its not a requirement obviously but it would be a bit of a plus for me
Several of the bars in Sheridan have pool tables. There is a pretty strong league that plays around here. They play in Sheridan, Dayton and Ranchester and stay pretty busy at it. Out here in Ranchester the bar has pool tables and you can usually get on it, even on a busy night.
In reference to the rest of your questions. The Sheridan area would be a good fit. Seeings how you have relation here, you could get off to a good start with somebody that is familiar with the area and the places and things to do.
Outdoor activities in and around Sheridan can really keep you busy. There are plenty of lakes to fish, places to camp and you don't have to go to a camp ground, you can pitch your tent anywhere you want in the Big Horn Mountains. The only limit is you have to move it every 16 days. Lot's to do during the summer, in town or out in the mountains.
The fairground has something going on every week, from doll shows to gun shows and sometimes they combine them. hahaha Youth and adult rodeo's, monster trucks, mud races and much much more. You can keep busy several nights a week and never leave town.
Are you going to be looking for work when you move? If so, check out www.wyomingatwork.com which is the state website that lists jobs in every employment office in the state. You can simply look at jobs, or even go in and build a resume. You can do job searches, by pay, or distance, or county, or town, or job type, or????? However you want to search. One website fits all.
I am actually already into outdoor activities. I go into the Catskills every couple of weekends during the summer so I can go camping and hiking. Never been hunting or rock climbing but I'm willing to try it. I'm also interested in photography and from what I understand you guys have some amazing scenery. Its probably going to take some time for me to adjust, but I'm willing to rough it out in exchange for some peace and quiet.
ElkHunter- Thank you for the help! My biggest concern is finding employment when I go out there. I never went to college and I know out here that makes it harder to find a job, but I have almost 8 years of experience so employers here tend to be willing to give me a chance. Don't know how it is out there. I've done mostly office work but I also have waitressing experience (though not recent).
branDcalf- I'm not much for winter activities anyway, so I'm ok with how limited they are up there. I tend to just stay at home during the winter as much as humanly possible.
I'll be in town next month from July 14th to the 20th.... any advice on places to go or things to do that will give me an idea of what living there will be like? I'll have family to show me around but they'll be working while I'm there so I'll be on my own during the day.
Sheridan is great for outdoor activities late May through maybe part of October. Just wanted to mention to be sure to consider the winter's here. We have a really good YMCA, but from the people I've met (and hired) from other places, they were disappointed in winter activities.
You know, I've heard the same thing and I just don't understand it. Well, in a way I do. Unless they open up Antelope Butte area for skiing, the nearest place for downhill skiing is over on Hwy 16 West of Buffalo at Meadowlark. But for cross country skiing there are hundreds of miles of groomed ski and snowmobile trail right up 14 at Arrowhead Lodge, Bear Lodge or even South of Bear Lodge at the other lodge (the name escapes me right now). Snow mobile rentals are at each of the lodges, if you don't have your own.
Ice fishing this past winter wasn't very good. We got very few really cold days so the ice on DeSmet was unpredictable. But Sibley, or any of the other lakes up on top were great for ice fishing.
Took the grandkids up to the bowl several times last winter for sledding and they loved it.
Hunting in the fall was great last year, but because of mild temps it was difficult getting the elk out. Normally, we can depend on a nasty storm or two to bring the elk down to lower elevations but last year we just didn't have nasty weather. Yeah, I realize how stupid I sound when I say that Winter wasn't cold enough to have fun. hahahaha
Hiking was great last winter as you could hike into remote areas and didn't have to worry about really deep snow. Yet there were areas that made snow shoeing great.
So many people shut themselves in when winter hits and they get cabin fever, even if they live in town. I just happen to live in a cabin about 16 miles from Sheridan. This cabin is only 480 sq ft and I don't get cabin fever. When I get up in the morning, I check the thermometer. Not to determine if I am going out, but to determine how many layers I need because I am going out.
Several times during the winter, we harness up the team and hook onto the sled and go for a ride. Last winter, we couldn't do it because there wasn't enough snow. hahahaha Can wear out a set of hickory runners pretty quick. But we did harness up to the wagon and take several trips.
Photo ops are terrific in the Big Horns during the winter. You don't have to be a professional, nor do you have to have an expensive camera to really click and save some great memories. Go on up to the Big Horns with your camera and shoot some shots of wildlife. Up by Sibley, you almost always see moose. On the way up, around Horse Shoe you can get lots of good shots of Elk, and there are some big herds. There are more elk up on top, along with mule deer. I've taken shots of moose, elk, bear, and mountain lion and really didn't have to try that hard.
The kids used to ice skate up at Thronerider Park but with the mild winters lately the ice hasn't been dependable. If you want to stay in town there is an ice skating rink (man made) just off of Sheridan Ave. If you want to get out of town, there are several lakes up on top. Early part of winter you can skate several places, but once the snow starts to hit they'll close Black Mtn Road and then you are more limited, but there are still places to go up and let the kids skate while you chip a hole and dip a line to catch some supper.
There are a lot of things to do in the winter if a person just gets out and does it. You can't let the cold bother you. In today world of clothing, there is enough choices to give you plenty of warmth while out and about.
But like you say, I've heard a lot of people say there is nothing to do around here in the winter. I find that there is as much, if not more to do in the winter, but then again I really enjoy the outdoors.
Elkhunter has the right idea and is dispensing some great advice here. One thing I learned living in Fairbanks, Alaska is that if you don't do it when it's cold, you will never do it. There is a lot to do here in the winter and if you are a snowmobiler the Bighorns are heaven on earth.
I also would also agree about the food situation. There are a few places to get a decent meal but very few great ones. No good chinese, no good pizza, no damn Popeye's Chicken, hahaha! It really doesn't affect me much either way, I don't go out much anyways, but I have been disappointed more often than not when I do. One small point about steak though, A bad Wyoming steak would be considered "pretty good" in most other places I've been. Y'all are spoiled!
A bad Wyoming steak would be considered "pretty good" in most other places I've been. Y'all are spoiled!
Yeah, my Mom said the same thing about that hahaha! Dining out isn't a big deal for me, though it does suck to know that there aren't any good Chinese restaurants out there (its my go to food when I just don't feel like cooking) but I already knew that I would have to give up a lot of the conveniences of big city living in order to be able to relax.
Jen: My two cents are this. My wife and I are leaving the Washington DC area this year. After considering and visiting literally every other state in the Union, last year we finally visited a number of towns in Wyoming seeking the perfect place to settle down. Enough restaurants to keep us fed (no mean feat - she's trained as a professional chef); enough culture to keep us interested; fewer people telling us what to do (think: politicians); LOTS less traffic; and lots of nice people. We fell in love with Sheridan and are moving there on August first.
When you visit Sheridan in July, might we politely suggest you drop in and see Monte at the Mint (I forgot if he has a pool table, but it would be in the back if he does) and every other business owner on Main Street. We visited them all - every single one of them. Send ElkHunter a private message and he'll meet you for a lunch somewhere nearby and give you the local scoop. Park your rental car and walk the entire downtown - it takes about two hours at a gentle stroll. Stop by the hotel founded by Bill Cody and listen to its incredible history as provided by the wonderful gal who stands behind the desk. You can't get more personal than her well-studied account.
Then make your own decision.
We think Sheridan is what America originally was and what parts of it still are: quiet, personal and neighborly. It has its own rich history of boom-and-bust and boom again. But happily it lacks the hustle and bustle of a city, any national agenda - and local politicians telling us how big our soda cups can be.
After serving our country for a combined fifty plus years, the Missus and I look forward to living in the very sort of community that we always thought we were fighting to protect.
Rescue3- My mother has spent the past few years or so telling me all about how amazing Sheridan is. I'll admit at first I didn't believe her because she's wanted me to move out of NYC for years now because she worries about me being here on my own, so I didn't really pay much attention. About five months ago I started looking into moving out, and everything that I've read and heard about Sheridan makes me want to pack my things and just go. If I didn't have a lease, I probably would. I've looked at maps of the town and read up on the neighboring towns too, and it just seems like exactly what you said- What America originally was. Not perfect, but still a lot better than most places you'll find.
Thank you for the advice. I will certainly be going into many if not all of the shops since my family will be working during the day while I'm there and I'll have plenty of time to wander around.
Sheridan rocks. There is plenty to do and yes there are bars with pool tables and leagues. Most bars have at least one table. Rails, in the old railroad depot, has I think 8 tables and every time I have been there it didn't seem like much of a wait, if any, to get playing.
I don't know why most people don't think there is a great meal to be had in Sheridan. Of course there isn't the variety that you would find in a big city, with restaurants on every corner so you can try a new place once a week, but I have never had a problem finding a nice meal in here. There is, in my opinion, a great chinese buffet in town and at least one more chinese place in town. Olivers is a GREAT place to eat. I don't eat there often because it's fairly expensive for here, but their menu is awesome and has choices that you wouldn't normally find in a town this size.
Outdoor activities abound. If you are arriving on the 14th, that will be during the Sheridan WYO rodeo weekend. They close main street for dancing, live music etc., so if you get to town in mid afternoon you may be able to make the rodeo, which starts at 7, then take in the street dance. They usually have about 4 city blocks closed and have 3-4 live bands set up. It's a pretty good time, if that's your thing.
Good luck and I hope you enjoy your trip!
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