Dayton WY (Sheridan, Ranchester: rentals, houses, high school)

[codybound]

Any info would be appreciated. How are the schools? Any home rentals available? Horse boarding nearby? What about the commute from Dayton to Sheridan in the winter? Thanks

[ElkHunter]

Dayton is a small town of about 700 people. Ranchester is about 6 miles down the road and it is also about 700 people. As such, they share schools and bus back and forth. Junior high in one town, high school in the other. Both schools are brand new. Tongue River in Ranchester is about a year or two old. The school in Dayton is being used and it's not yet complete. They expect completion next month. The teachers are OUTSTANDING. I don't have any kids in school out here, but I've spoke with the neighbors and they all really love the teachers. Plus I've seen the results of local spelling bees, contests, against other schools.

The trip into Sheridan is not bad at all. The major problem is if you want to use interstate. From Dayton to Ranchester is State Highway 14. Then in Ranchester you can get on the Interstate and it's 14 miles into Sheridan.

Periodically they shut down the Interstate due to blowing snow. Not snow accumulation, but blowing snow. We have an outstanding highway department that start running snow plows when it starts snowing and they keep running until it's over, or they can't see to plow in which case they close the interstate. When they do that, I simply take Wolf Creek rd over to Soldier Creek rd and head straight into Sheridan on 5th street past the hospital. The city crews always plow snow to major necessities first. Hospital, Fire Department, schools, airport, etc. By going in Soldier Creek you go right by the Hospital and Highschool down to Main with you can then go North or South. Plus, those roads are down in a creek bottom and the wind doesn't bother them like it does the Interstate that's up on a hill.

There is horse boarding available close by. Not sure of the cost. Hay around here runs about $120 a ton (80 lb bales).

Rentals are also available but they are scarce. With a small town they don't have an over abundance of spare houses setting around.

Take a look at the picture thread. The latest pictures I posted were taken from near my Cabin. I'm located between Ranchester and Dayton. So you can see what you'll have for scenery.

[ElkHunter]

A little additional info as I didn't want a post that rambled on and on and on... haha

Food. Although both Dayton and Ranchester have a small store, typically they are pretty expensive. Good for picking up chips, soda, etc that have set prices. But you won't want to pick up canned goods and such. So your best bet on food stuff is in Sheridan. Sheridan has a K-Mart with limited food stuff. A Super-Wal-Mart with everything you'll need. Albertson's. Safeway. Prairie Market (mom and pop store with hard to find things). And a very nice little grocery store called Bino's. Bino's is an experience. They have things you can't find anywhere else in town. They have the best meat you'll find anywhere in town. But that's my opinion.

You can get gas in Dayton, or Ranchester and surprisingly, it's not that much more then in Sheridan. Usually 3 or 4 cents a gallon more.

So, if you happen to run out of milk, or want to pick up a six pack, you can get them locally. For major items, a trip to town is in order.

[codybound]

Thanks so much. Very helpful.