After a quick jaunt through New Mexico and a short visit with friends, we headed to Denver. We were just in time for the spring snowstorm but still had a great visit with my niece Allie and her family. We left Denver and headed north to Lathrop State Park. It is easy in/out and close to I-25. The other thing about this park is that it is close to Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve. Olivia, our Jeep, does a remarkable job finding these places for us. We decided to stay an extra day at Lathrop and just be lazy. I saw lots of birdies. One of our nation's Missile Bases kept calling us.....Not literally. We arrived at Warren AFB in Cheyenne WY only to find that the water and dump station were unavailable. Too early in the season. Flexibility, that's the key to fun traveling. We were surprised that there were so many antelopes roaming free on the base. They are way fun to watch and so very fast!!! Wyoming has a huge population of these graceful creatures. We toured downtown State Capitol and Wyoming State Museum. Then it was time to go. Upon checking the map, the decision was made to get off the interstate and take a federal highway into Great Falls. Beautiful views of mesas as well as high plains. We are now in Great Falls at another Missile Base. Much nicer campground. Full hookup.
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| This is the view out Tuscon's window of Spanish Peaks from Lathrop State Park. This park is the oldest one in CO but we thoroughly enjoyed our time there. Hiking/biking trails, fishing, and birding. What more could one want? |
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| Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve near Lathrop State Park in CO. A unique park in that there are 3 ecosystems that are so very different. The 30 miles of sand dunes are bordered by Mountains and Wetlands. This is a cool place to take kids. You can climb the dunes then sled, cardboard, ski, or simply roll down them and get up and do it again. Kids are tired when they finish here. |
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| While in Cheyenne WY we visited the State Capitol and the Wyoming State Museum. We enjoy comparing capitols and have noted that many of them display an immense pride in their state's accomplishments. The woodwork inside was beautiful and the mosaic on the inside of the dome along with the stained glass ceilings in the two chambers was just beautiful. Wyoming didn't overstate anything, in fact, most of the artwork was very simple done but rich in the ability to tell a story. |
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| These are the coolest animals. Antelopes are hysterical to watch especially when playing. And can they ever run......We first saw them when we arrived at the campground in Wyoming. They were freely roaming all over the base. I understand why the base in Denver was draining a lake near the flight line to keep birds away but I suppose the Antelope scatter once they hear jet engines. Wyoming has about 40% of all wild antelope in the USA. We are seeing them in Montana but not as many. |
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| Benton Lake National Wildlife Refuge in Great Falls MT. Thousands of acres of grassland being managed well to ensure a continuing wildlife refuge as well as management of water for the Pacific Flyway migrants. I didn't expect to see so many ducks, etc. out in the middle of nowhere. Just goes to show how innately smart birds are. I saw at least 2 life birds and am still studying pics and books to determine what a couple of others were. |
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| One of many Lewis and Clark Centers in our country. Each one is designed to relate their adventure in relation to the area you are visiting. Most of them that we have seen are well done. Yesterday, there was a volunteer who was an expert in weaponry from "the day" and he did a fine job explaining a type of gun (which there was only 1 with Lewis and Clark) which was a repeating rifle. I thought it was an air rifle based on a visit elsewhere. Anyhow, to have a repeating rifle during the early 1700's was quite unusual. We chose to hike along the trails by the river which ended at a fish hatchery. Some of the best looking rainbow trout I have seen. |
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This is the Mighty Mississippi in Great Falls MT being held back by a dam. Can't even begin to visualize what it might have looked like in the days of Lewis and Clark. Clark spelled words really weird in his journal.
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