Stuck between a rock and a ...... rock

Something that David & I commented on was the beauty of the rocks. We had no idea that Wyoming had this kind of desert feel to it. More than once David commented that he expect the Wile E Coyote to be perched on a rock waiting for the Road Runner. And that is EXACTLY the kind of rock formations we found at Lake Alcova. These are just a few.

If this doesn't get my newphews to visit, I don't know what will.

I found this on the Bureau of Reclamation Website http://www.usbr.gov/cultural/fossil.html

The public has an opportunity to view fossilized plants and marine animals and even fragments of dinosaur bones in their natural setting at the Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail, located about 25 miles southwest of Casper, Wyoming, at Reclamation’s Alcova Reservoir.

The rock formations along the trail include many invertebrate, vertebrate, and plant fossils, indicating a rapidly changing environment of deposition 200-140 million years ago with tidal flats, sand dunes, beaches, oceans, storm deposits, and complex stream and river systems.The best remaining examples of dinosaur bones can be seen near the top of Cottonwood Creek Dinosaur Trail, which is approximately 2 miles long and rises nearly 300 feet in elevation.

The extreme, unstable slopes and switchbacks contribute to continually changing trail conditions. The trail user should be in good physical condition and exercise caution. Due to the rugged terrain, the trail is not accessible to the mobility impaired, although interpretive signs located at the trailhead are accessible. Estimated time to complete the self-guided tour along the trail is 2-3 hours. Collection of fossils by the public is prohibited along the trail. For additional information, contact Jay Dallman or call (307)261-5608.

What Movie Was Filmed Here??

In case you can't tell, that is a computer monitor or possibly a television.

Sensible Shoes

Laugh all you want! But sensible shoes are an absolute must whenever you leave the city limits and plan to leave the car. The last time we went on the Mountain, I wore flip-flops. Lesson learned! On our recent excursion I wore sensible shoes!

Black Beach

For Real?

That must be one BIG bird!

Alcova Dam

Stairway to Heaven?

David said he has seen these all over Wyoming, this is the first time I have seen it. It is a ladder to get you over the fence. Apparently they are common & given the sign posted next to the ladder, they are expected to be used.

Ya think?

(Notice the bullet hole ridden sign? -- Welcome to the Wild Wild West)

Exploring!

David, Bailey Dog & I spent a Saturday afternoon exploring the local lake which is all part of the North Platte River. We saw so much natural beauty and between the two of us took over 700 pictures and David even took a few videos.

First up The North Platte River --- The Gray Reef Float Area.

Rules For The Mountain

It's a new dawn...

And Still Mooooooore Balloons

More Balloons....

Watch this....

Up, Up, and Awaaaaay

This past weekend was the Hot Air Balloon Roundup in Casper. David & I both are mesmerized by hot air balloons and we were THRILLED to get to see something like this. We got up at O'Dark Thirty (5:00am) and drove to the College to watch the balloons. We took the Charger off-road and parked along the college campus and had a spectacular view. I was really surprised at the crowd that had turned out, many in the same field we were in, to watch the amazing show. My next several posts will be from the Roundup. Enjoy!

You can almost reach out and touch the sky...