Most unique aspects of Casper area (Basin, Alcova: restaurant, airport, activities)

[ThePiedPiper]

Hi. I'm working on a book that I'll probably situate in the Casper area. Are there distinctive aspects of the town, airport and surrounding areas that you can describe to me? The airport will figure prominently -- especially the FSDO.

In addition--

Are there any ravines within 10 or 20 miles of the airport? If so, in which direction?

Are there any large bodies of water within 10 or 20 miles of the airport? If so, in which direction?

What's your favorite restaurant in or near Casper, where exactly is it located, and what can you tell me about it?

What's your favorite recreation in or near Casper, where exactly is it located, and what can you tell me about it?


I'll probably have lots more questions, but this is a good start.

Thanks so much!
Wendy

[SkunkApe]

1) There are ravines everywhere.

2) Alcova resevoir is 35 miles SW of the airport (off route 220.) Pathfinder reservoir is a few miles past that. Take a look at Mapquest. The satellite image option may help you.

3) I like Eggington's restaurant. See here:
Eggington's Restaurant, Casper, WY : Reviews and maps - Yahoo! Local

4) What kind of recreation are you looking for? Some popular activities in town see to be golf, throwing darts, fishing the Platte river, and bicycling. Hunting is popular (not in town). ATVs are also very popular.

Good luck with the book.

[davefr]

Originally Posted by ThePiedPiper

What's your favorite recreation in or near Casper, where exactly is it located, and what can you tell me about it?


Thanks so much!
Wendy

Hogadon Basin ski area. I can't think of too many places where you can be snow skiing within 30 minutes of leaving downtown. It's hardly in the big leagues but it sure is convienant. I can't think of too many other ski areas where you park at the top of the ski area and start skiing downhill.

[davefr]

Originally Posted by SkunkApe

1) There are ravines everywhere.

2) Alcova resevoir is 35 miles SW of the airport (off route 220.) Pathfinder reservoir is a few miles past that. Take a look at Mapquest. The satellite image option may help you.

Speaking of ravines, there's a very large scenic canyon connecting Alcova with Pathfinder. It's best to see via boat but if you take the back road from Alcova there are some areas where you can see it via car.

[shadowwalker]

O.K. here we go.
Go west of the Casper airport about 12 miles until you get to Bucknum Road,follow it north about 14 miles. Going under Bucknum and at the head of Dead Horse Road turn off to the east, is a ravine/old river bed that sometimes has seasonal water. At this point is the old Firing Test Range for WWII Air Force, what once was dotted with huge wooden targets, 50 calibre bullet holes and shell casings. Is now wild native dryland grass fields fighting for life each summer,due to the present drought in the western states. The area adds to the feed source of wildlife and the occasional mustang herds(hey maybe?). It runs from the west to northwest angling through the red clay landscape for miles. Some of the banks are as high as 30 feet from the bottom and it has many small ravines feeding into it. I'd say if your putting something into it that you didn't want found. Throw in in a small ravine, push dirt over it by collasping the bank. With no more rain than has been over the years. It wouldn't be uncovered for a long time. The only witnesses would be, maybe the lone Pronghorn Buck, a very silent witness,indeed.
Yes I have tried my hand a writing, just never found a kind publisher.

[ThePiedPiper]

Great stuff, guys. Is there a map that shows these ravines and do the ravines have names? Are there any small towns out that way, maybe near a prominent ravine? Thanks!

[Clay Lady]

You may want to check out www.wyomingtourism.org I got a variety of info from them last year. Great maps and fun Wyoming info.

[shadowwalker]

About the only map or two I know of is. BLM land plat maps, get the one of Natrona county. Orderd at the blm website. Another on is Wyoming Sportsmans maps. I haven't seen one of these for years though. These are great maps that name almost everything in the map.

[TNT22]

I would recommend you download Google Earth. Often you'll be able to find names for even the most obscure geographic features....

TNT

[SkunkApe]

What's this fixation with ravines about? They're all over the place. Here's one:

http://schaeffer7712.tripod.com/hoster/ravine.jpg (broken link)