Terrain outside Cheyenne (Casper, Laramie, Douglas: homes, inspector, living)

[ThePiedPiper]

Hi. I'm a writer and I'm currently working on a novel set in and around Cheyenne (at least, I think it's going to be Cheyenne, if I can make it work). I need to set most of the action outside the city, but still close enough so that my key character can commute to his job as an FAA inspector at an airport's Flight Standards District Office (FSDO). I haven't been to Cheyenne since 1988 so I mostly just remember the altitude and open space.

Ideally, I'd like to have most of the action occur in and around a small community within, say, 20 miles of Cheyenne, give or take. The community would have to be well established but I can create a fictional community, if necessary.

In addition to being within commuting distance of Cheyenne, I need the area to have mostly flat open space, but also a ravine or two, as some key action will occur in a ravine.

I would appreciate descriptions of terrain in such an area, along with vegetation, types of gemstone rough that rockhounds might travel there to find, colors, ..any descriptors!

I'd also like to know about websites that have photos/descriptions of things like this.

Thanks. Piper

[sixofone]

Pine Bluffs might work for you, but there's no FSDO in Cheyenne.

[Tyster]

I suspect the western side of Cheyenne might fit the bill for you. The terrain between Cheyenne and Table Mountain is very similar to what you describe. Plus Warren Air Force Base is on that side, so that might be useful to you (to your story).

Regarding minerals, gemstones, etc... I have a few sites you may find helpful.

First, the Wyoming Online Mineral Map Collection:

Wyoming Online Mineral Map Collection

Second, the Wyomingf State Geological Survey Gemstones Group:

Wyoming State Geological Survey - Directory

... and ...

Wyoming State Geological Survey

Wyoming is loaded with gemstones and gold. West of Cheyenne (near Douglas and Centenial) diamonds and gold have been found. The state also has opal, ruby, amber and many other gems.

Hope this helps!

[Cloudfish]

sixofone is correct--there is not a FSDO in Cheyenne. The closest FSDO is in Denver and Casper is a FSFO. However it seems your writing a fictional book so it more than likely does not matter.

Off the top of my head I can't think of an actual community close by that meets your criteria. However, the first area I thought of when reading your post was just east of town on Happy Jack Rd. between Cheyenne and Laramie. The area I'm thinking of is near Curt Gowdy State Park. There are quite a few homes up there and the terrain seems to fit the bill you described.

[ThePiedPiper]

Given my terrain needs/small community outside a city with a FSDO, is there anywhere outside Casper that would fit the bill. And by the way, I haven't been in Casper since 1988 -- is that Albertson's still there? The one with all the deer and elk heads and the stuffed cats above the freezer section? I thought that was pretty amazing. But when I got back, all the city people thought it was crazy. I think that's when I decided I just HAD to get out of the city eventually. Now that I'm living on a mountain, I'm far more content.

You guys have already given me great info, and I hate to impose, but if you have some suggestions on flat terrain with an occasional ravine outside Casper, that would be great. I can even make up a small town and make up a ravine with a name the locals have given it. I just want to make sure the Casper part and terrain are generally right.

Thanks!

[Tyster]

I'm not familiar with Casper but others here are. I'm sure someone will jump in.

Cheers!

[SkunkApe]

Here are some photos of the land near Casper (actually west of Casper, North of Powder River.)

Wyoming 09/15/07

Let me know if you want more.

Good luck with your book.

[sunsprit]

the terrain around Casper to the North and East is mostly flat, with some ravines that might work for your needs.

To the South, it gets somewhat forested and hilly.

The Casper airport is one of the busiest in the state.

[dori36]

Originally Posted by ThePiedPiper

Given my terrain needs/small community outside a city with a FSDO, is there anywhere outside Casper that would fit the bill. And by the way, I haven't been in Casper since 1988 -- is that Albertson's still there? The one with all the deer and elk heads and the stuffed cats above the freezer section? I thought that was pretty amazing. But when I got back, all the city people thought it was crazy. I think that's when I decided I just HAD to get out of the city eventually. Now that I'm living on a mountain, I'm far more content.

You guys have already given me great info, and I hate to impose, but if you have some suggestions on flat terrain with an occasional ravine outside Casper, that would be great. I can even make up a small town and make up a ravine with a name the locals have given it. I just want to make sure the Casper part and terrain are generally right.

Thanks!

Powder River might work for you if you can work around the sheep!

[ThePiedPiper]

You guys are great. I'll have to do some research on Powder River, but the photos SkunkApe posted certainly suggest there could be a ravine in there -- and I can work those coyotes and rabbits into the story line--have a pack follow my hero and heroine. Skunk, can you give me more info on what you saw with those coyotes? Around here, in Virginia, they tend to travel in pairs or even alone. I don't see them in packs, and their behavior as a pack might prove very helpful. And next time, bring extra rounds! Dang. We have a bounty on coyotes in my county, Page County in VA.

Any idea what those rocks are made of in those photos, SkunkApe? And if you know what any of those plants are called, that would be great, too. All the little details that lend credibility to a story!

Also, are there any small towns out that way, toward Powder River? If not, I might be able to work in any small town outside Casper --say, within 25 miles or so of the airport in Casper. And I could use the Powder River part as the area the airplane in my story overflew before crashing.

Thanks! You guys are great. And please, if you're willing, I'd like you to send me your names so I can include you in the acknowledgements if a publisher ever buys my book! sculptor@shentel.net

Thanks. Piper