Need Change & WY looks great! (Casper, Gillette: hotel, tile, camp)

[WyoNewk]

Originally Posted by sunbelt

why is it so windy in WY?

Dan

The same thing that makes our air dry, nights cool and the sky so blue -- elevation. You'll read/hear about southern Wyoming having more wind than northern Wyoming; southern Wyoming is higher in elevation. And we've read that the Bighorn Basin has less wind. It's at a lower in elevation.

If you're going to live at a high elevation anywhere you'd better either have a mountain ridge for a windbreak or like lots of wind.

[wyolady]

I'll warn you up front I don't mean to offend anyone - just regurgitating an age-old joke. Didn't think I'd be the first, but here goes. . . . .

Originally Posted by sunbelt

why is it so windy in WY?

Dan

Because Nebraska sucks. . . .(or insert Montana, Idaho, Colorado, etc. you get the picture)

[erickp]

Originally Posted by wyolady

I'll warn you up front I don't mean to offend anyone - just regurgitating an age-old joke. Didn't think I'd be the first, but here goes. . . . .



Because Nebraska sucks. . . .(or insert Montana, Idaho, Colorado, etc. you get the picture)

and Utah blows... or other state opposite to first one as above

Erick P... trespassing poster from Indiana whose grandchildren live in Riverton. Hope to visit again this summer...I'll bring a windbreaker

[Pronghorn]

Based upon your list of what you are looking for, I would suggest Powell.

Powell has great people and small town atmosphere. The wind is not as bad as some of the other places. The wind does blow though.

Housing prices (rental and purchase) are less than Riverton and Sheridan. Access to Billings (2 hours) is a big plus when you need to do certain types of shopping.

Access to Yellowstone (also Sunlight Basin and the Beartooths) is great especially through the northeast entrance.(hiking, picture taking, and birding)

Not to far from Red Lodge. Red Lodge is a good ski town.

Powell is a farming community with generally plentiful irrigation water. (gardening)

Powell is in the Bighorn Basin which is dry, not to much snow. Probably do not need 4 wheel drive.

Internet access is not a problem.

I hope this helps. Good luck in your search.


Pronghorn


P.S. I am curious, how did you create your list of towns?

[Alpphy]

Thank you everyone for adding comments! Notebook in hand taking notes...

I am excited to take another trip out and plan on taking a 8-12 days with one of my dogs to just drive and see what happens. Sleeping bag and plenty of gas in hand

I am looking more for a place with varied landscape, from plains to mountains or something in-between. I am trying not to put to many constraints on what I think I am looking for but rather let the area speak for itself. I am thinking of heading north from TX up to 80 and then heading into WY through Cheyenne then head north again or through SD a bit farther north and come in from the east and making somewhat of a big loop. But with so many place I thought it best to try and narrow it down to a handful. If I get out there in May and find that I want to do more exploring I will head back out later in the summer for another round!

The list came from research over the last year and a trip from about 6 years ago. There was little time on that trip to explore the area to the degree I wanted to but I knew I always wanted to go back. I made the plunge about 2 1/2 years ago and left Florida for Texas. I like Texas but miss the mountains desperately and Dallas is way to big for me. Every time I go home to Albuq I am reminded of the mountains and have made my resolve to head farther west.

I have thought of possibly going to a larger town in the area but feel that I will be cheating myself of my ultimate dream if I do that. Work will be easier to find when I need it but the draw to a community where I can feel a part of and be more involved in it drives me to look for something smaller. As well as the desire to be surrounded by more space.

When I last went through the area I fell in love with the big horn basin area and the short list came from that trip and the various towns in that area that I wanted to see but did not have time. I have been trolling the net for info and viewing the cities websites for further info getting ideas for this next trip.

I am sure that the winters will be a challenge but I feel that I am up for it! The older I get the more I dread the heat. Short period of heat are fine but the ongoing heat gets to me.

I am going to troll the net and my maps a bit more and will be back with more questions this weekend I am sure.

Any other ideas or suggestions for a travel path would be great if you have an opinion?

Thank you again everyone!

[Pinkstarlinds]

Dan- People around here have a saying.... Wyoming is so windy because Utah blows and Nebraska sucks..... I read your very question a while back on this forum. I recommend searching the forum for your answer.

[Brian_M]

For whatever it's worth, since you'll be camping it (at least some of the time), Lander has free camping in the city park. You said you wanted to check out Riverton anyway, so it'd be a 26 mile drive to camp for free in a very pretty park. No showers at the park, but you can shower at the City Pool, I think the laundromat and one of the hotels? (Wild Iris has a list of traveler-friendly places in Lander, give them a call)

I'm not sure if there are other places that offer free camping, but it might be something to search on to save some money.

[Clay Lady]

Originally Posted by Brian_M

For whatever it's worth, since you'll be camping it (at least some of the time), Lander has free camping in the city park. You said you wanted to check out Riverton anyway, so it'd be a 26 mile drive to camp for free in a very pretty park. No showers at the park, but you can shower at the City Pool, I think the laundromat and one of the hotels? (Wild Iris has a list of traveler-friendly places in Lander, give them a call)

I'm not sure if there are other places that offer free camping, but it might be something to search on to save some money.

Free camping locations would be a really great thread if anyone knows where to find them.

[GEORGIAINMT]

I think your idea of going West through S. Dakota is a good one, especially if you are interested in the northern part of Wyoming. Going through the Rapid City area & Black Hills is beautiful. Since I've been in Gillette I've really grown to love that area. Then you'll go through some plains for a couple of hours before hitting the Big Horns. A trip over the Big Horns is always nice, then you'll hit the Big Horn Basin area you are wanting to look at. From there you can head down to the Riverton/Lander area. It is definitely possible to make this trip in good time and possibly see most of the towns you're interested in. I would do that then narrow it down to a few that you really like. Then come back for another visit and concentrate on those towns to learn more about them. I'm the type of person who loves the plains AND the mountains. I guess growing up in the Big Horn Basin it's because it's what I was used to. Nice being in the wide open spaces but being a stone's throw from the mountains! Good luck on your journey!

[Alpphy]

Thank you again everyone for all the ideas!
I spent the weekend reviewing maps, the net and mapquest.

I think the trip will be from 10-12 days. I have debated flying in to Casper vs. driving and really am leaning towards driving (this way I can bring one of my Dogs with me on the trip, he loves a good car ride and loves to get outdoors as well as a companion would be nice to have along on the trip.

Does anyone foresee any issues with this? I can camp or sleep in the back of my SUV so I figure if I can't rent a room somewhere along the way, the car will do!

I am taking the suggestions and dashing up to Spearfish from Dallas through KS, NE. From there the following

Spearfish to Sheridan
Sheridan on to Greybull, Cody
Cody on to Thermopolis, Riverton
Riverton to Buffalo taking 16 from Worland, Ten Sleep (thank you Wyoman I am adding it)

Then I get stuck...
I'd like to head over to Powell area on (Pronghorns Suggestion)
So maybe Gillette, Buffalo, Sheridan, Powell then head back to Greybull

Then back down to Shoshoni over to Casper and from there down to Denver to see family and then on Home over 70 through KS.

Ok it may be a 2 week trip! Taking the Dallas Drive into consideration I will have about 6-8 days for visiting the various towns

So my questions are:
Traveling with a Dog ok? Anyone see any issues (camping etc)?
Anyone with have any suggestions on a travel route? with some of the locations in mind?
I figure I will get a general outline of the travel and then a list of campsites/hotels along the way. I don't want to stick to too much of a schedule but rather let the area show me the way. Who knows I may get stuck in one place for many days. I drove out to Albuq a few months ago and wished I had given myself more time to stop along the way!

Again, thank you all for taking the time to post here int he WY forum, it is very helpful!