Before I go any further into restaurants, here is the disclaimer.
I am picky. I grew up with two parents who cook "gourmet," although their definitions of that are very different, and one, at least, would be offended by the designation (the trials of having parents!). I prefer to eat fresh food, and organic, if possible. I like to cook, and love to bake, and am sometimes (regularly) good at it.
I eat out ALL the time. Way too often, really.
This might let you know why I tend to be somewhat negative about restaurants.
Saturday, December 10, 2005
Thursday, December 08, 2005
Dinosaurs
Wyoming is a state for dinosaurs. If you want to see evidence of their existence, come here. National Geographic had a "top ten" list sometime this last year compiled by a dinosaur expert. Wyoming was one his picks for places to find dinosaur artifacts. 50 different kinds of dinosaurs have been discovered in Wyoming, and skeletons from here are in museums all over the world.
If you like dinosaurs, try some of these spots:
The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. They have a museum with mounted dinosaur skeletons and you can tour actual dig sites. Besides, Thermop is a great town to spend some time in.
Red Gulch Dinosaur Track Site: when you leave Thermopolis, drive north into the Big Horn Basin through Worland to Greybull and then turn east on US 14 towards Shell. Along the route you'll find a turn for the track site. It is a couple miles south on a dirt road. This is a fabulous spot for kids and adults alike. Out in the high desert, where there used to be a tropical sea, there are actual dinosaur footprints where there used to be a beach. There is nothing in the world like dinosaur tracks! There are interpretive signs, and a picnic area.
Western Wyoming Community College has a large dinosaur exhibit.
The University of Wyoming Geology Museum, in Laramie on the University campus, houses skeletons of dinosaurs and other early mammals, including large aquatic mammals.
On US highway 30 between Rock River and Medicine Bow, there is a site called Como Bluff. It is on the north side of the road. There is a queer little cabin/museum, the Dinosaur Fossile Cabin Museum, which is only open in the summer. It is made entirely of dinosaur bone fragments. It is private property, so be careful, but you can see and read a little.
An interesting piece of related trivia: Wyoming is apparently one of only two states to have both a state dinosaur (the Triceratops) and a state fossil (a small fish called Knightia). See if your state has a state fossil here.
If you like dinosaurs, try some of these spots:
The Wyoming Dinosaur Center in Thermopolis. They have a museum with mounted dinosaur skeletons and you can tour actual dig sites. Besides, Thermop is a great town to spend some time in.
Red Gulch Dinosaur Track Site: when you leave Thermopolis, drive north into the Big Horn Basin through Worland to Greybull and then turn east on US 14 towards Shell. Along the route you'll find a turn for the track site. It is a couple miles south on a dirt road. This is a fabulous spot for kids and adults alike. Out in the high desert, where there used to be a tropical sea, there are actual dinosaur footprints where there used to be a beach. There is nothing in the world like dinosaur tracks! There are interpretive signs, and a picnic area.
Western Wyoming Community College has a large dinosaur exhibit.
The University of Wyoming Geology Museum, in Laramie on the University campus, houses skeletons of dinosaurs and other early mammals, including large aquatic mammals.
On US highway 30 between Rock River and Medicine Bow, there is a site called Como Bluff. It is on the north side of the road. There is a queer little cabin/museum, the Dinosaur Fossile Cabin Museum, which is only open in the summer. It is made entirely of dinosaur bone fragments. It is private property, so be careful, but you can see and read a little.
An interesting piece of related trivia: Wyoming is apparently one of only two states to have both a state dinosaur (the Triceratops) and a state fossil (a small fish called Knightia). See if your state has a state fossil here.
Friday, December 02, 2005
Rock Springs 1
I have mixed feelings about Rock Springs (RS), which is why I have put a "1" in there because I am sure I will be coming back to it.
The thing about RS is that I am never quite comfortable here. The town has had a relatively large transient population ever since its conception. The mining for trona is booming here and so there are a lot of people in town who aren't staying for long. The economy, like much of Wyo, is boom and bust depending on minerals, oil, and demand. Right now, Sweetwater County is booming and RS, the bigger town in the county, is where all these extra people live. There is only one other town of any size and that is Green River, but they don't have the infrastructure RS does.
RS does have a cute downtown, rather historic. It does not bustle--most of the shopping in town takes place down by the freeway. In the library is the Community Fine Arts Center which shows artwork by local artists and artists with some sort of history in RS. They have a great collection of work by high school students, as well.
What RS does not have is food. Food choices are very standard chains mostly, with one exception--Bitter Creek Brewery (604 Broadway). Very good beers, and good food, if a bit expensive. Nice atmosphere. Definitely my favorite place to eat in town.
RS also has a very neat store called Local Color Art & Gift Gallery at 513 Bridger Ave. Located in a historic building, there are three floors of arts made locally. Lots of pottery, some nature photography and a lot more. Worth checking out.
The Holiday Inn has been refurbished and is very nice to stay in. The Comfort Inn, across the street, is going Quality. I don't know if that will change this but! they used to have a huge breakfast offering, and a free happy hour in the evening with beer and wine.
The thing about RS is that I am never quite comfortable here. The town has had a relatively large transient population ever since its conception. The mining for trona is booming here and so there are a lot of people in town who aren't staying for long. The economy, like much of Wyo, is boom and bust depending on minerals, oil, and demand. Right now, Sweetwater County is booming and RS, the bigger town in the county, is where all these extra people live. There is only one other town of any size and that is Green River, but they don't have the infrastructure RS does.
RS does have a cute downtown, rather historic. It does not bustle--most of the shopping in town takes place down by the freeway. In the library is the Community Fine Arts Center which shows artwork by local artists and artists with some sort of history in RS. They have a great collection of work by high school students, as well.
What RS does not have is food. Food choices are very standard chains mostly, with one exception--Bitter Creek Brewery (604 Broadway). Very good beers, and good food, if a bit expensive. Nice atmosphere. Definitely my favorite place to eat in town.
RS also has a very neat store called Local Color Art & Gift Gallery at 513 Bridger Ave. Located in a historic building, there are three floors of arts made locally. Lots of pottery, some nature photography and a lot more. Worth checking out.
The Holiday Inn has been refurbished and is very nice to stay in. The Comfort Inn, across the street, is going Quality. I don't know if that will change this but! they used to have a huge breakfast offering, and a free happy hour in the evening with beer and wine.
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