First Jedediah Smith Trail 1822 — 1824

Day 23: September 7th, 2009 Dubois — Lander

Map Dubois to Lander

Around seven in the morning I take my ear plugs out. But then I doze a bit and eventually get out of bed around half past seven. Then I get ready and put my stuff into the car. Because I plan to have breakfast at the restaurant next door, I just want to return my motel key at the reception. But there is no one, only a basket for the keys. But that is no problem. I already know that I will go to Chandler. But when I get around the corner I must realize, that they are closed! Great!

Therefore I first drive to the Exxon to gas up. Then I drive into town. Let’s see which restaurant is open. There is not too much. Just one small restaurant next to a motel which looks not promising for me from the outside. And then I see the Cowboy Cafe which is next to the Rustic Pine Steakhouse. This one looks pretty busy and also there is no parking spot available. But as usual, I am able to find a spot on the other side of the road.

Then I walk over. The restaurant is really small and there is a huge rush. The people already lined up in a long line. There are also some tables outside. But these are also occupied. I started a conversation with the couple in front of me. They tell me that this is not the only place, which is open. But they have very good food. That’s why they are this busy.

They ask me if I want to join them for breakfast. Yes, sure, I am more than happy to do so! We chat a lot, also about my trails and how all this started. Their names are Bob and Sandy and they have a cabin in the mountains, which her parents have built in 1970. There is not even a dwell. They must drive the water up with a water trailer. Her Mom had built a dwell in the past. But the water here is very bad with a lot of iron. This is like at Helen’s house in the past. In that case, the solution with the water trailer is probably the best. Now they live north of Denver and they only drive over here for vacation. Her neighbor is a waitress in this restaurant! What a coincidence! And they also send a prayer before starting to eat like I have seen it with Jean & Matt. Bob also includes me and my travels in his prayer, which is really nice!

They are also both dedicated to social projects. They just have been in Africa with an organization who assist in medical tasks. Indeed, they are not familiar with medical business. But they are just simply helping out. They plan to fly back via Germany on their next trip to Africa. Maybe there is an opportunity to meet there. That sounds good.

Then we must leave. They must go back to Colorado. But before, they must prepare their cabin for winter. In winter time it is too dangerous to drive over because of the huge amount of snow. They did it once and have been almost been stuck in a snow storm. Especially I–80 is the worst.

Now they face around 6 hours of driving to return back home. That’s not too much. But it is too far to just drive over for the weekend. Sandy also tells me that there is a grave of Sacagawea, the Indian women that had been with the Lewis and Clark expedition and helped them a lot. This is located at Fort Washakie, which is not too far from Lander. Let’s see, if I am able to maybe add it to my tour of today.

88 S10 Blazer, Highway 26/287, Dubois, WY

Highway 26/287, Dubois, WY

Highway 26/287, WY

We say good–bye and I mount all my equipment in my truck. Around half past ten I am ready to roll. Now I am driving again on the big highway back. Even now we already have 70 degrees. When I left just past nine in the morning, I still needed a sweater.

Highway 26/287, WY

Highway 26/287, Wind River, WY

Highway 26/287, WY

Highway 26, WY

With plenty of sunshine I drive in direction of Riverton, Wyoming.

Highway 26, Riverton, WY

Highway 26/E Main St, Riverton, WY

Highway 138/Rendezvous Rd, WY

There I turn onto Highway 789 in direction of Lander. But I only follow this highway for a short distance before I turn shortly after on the smaller Highway 138 which turns into Rendezvous Road.

Rendezvous Rd, WY

Way too soon I must go back to the big Highway 789.

Highway 789/N Main St, Hudson, WY

Highway 789, WY

At Hudson I cross the Little Popo Agie River.

Already just past one I arrive at the Holiday Lodge in Lander to check in. This is really a bit early. But because they don’t expect too many guests for tonight, I receive the Cottage for the same room rate. I say thank you for this special rate and then I am really overwhelmed. From the outside these rooms do not look like much. It looks like 5 or 6 mini houses attached to another. But on the inside they are really huge!

A living room, just giant and everything is very nice and clean! From the room you can even see the river a bit. You can almost spend your whole vacation there. If there would be a porch in the rear I would sit outside to write my diary. But so I will sit inside to write it later.

I just have put my suitcase in the room and go quickly to the restroom. Then I continue immediately to Popo Agie Falls.

Highway 131/Sinks Canyon Rd, WY

The drive to the parking lot already has some incline and immediately the truck runs hot. This is really annoying! There I definitely must do something next year!

Bruce’s Bridge, Popo Agie Falls Trail, WY

The hiking trail starts from the parking lot over a small bridge for pedestrians, the Bruce’s Bridge. There, two horseback riders come towards me. I give them plenty of room to pass me that their horses don’t shy. Then I take some pictures from the bridge and the Middle Fork Popo Agie River

Now the hiking trail starts — but then I realize that I am still wearing my tennis! Therefore I return to my car and put the other shoes. Just when I am finished, a wasp flies into my car. Great, that is exactly where I need it. Without mercy I cut it in half with my roadbook. Now I must quickly open the door on the other side to throw the remains out. Then I am eventually able to start hiking.

Popo Agie Falls Trail, WY

The trail goes sometimes up really steep. But you have almost all the time nice views of the river. Finally I arrive at the falls, which stretch for quite a distance. From the bottom of the falls the hiking trails starts to be extremely steep and difficult, especially if you hike with cameras and tripod. At one point when I am almost at the top and the trail is blocked by a countless number of fallen trees I decide to not proceed further. I already have plenty of nice shots. That should be enough.

Popo Agie Falls Trail, WY

On my way back I still take some nice pictures. On this trail I run across many people. Usually, I am hiking almost alone and maybe meet one or two guys. But on this trail, almost every quarter of an hour someone shows up. Finally I am back at my car. It is already past five in the afternoon. This is now getting too late to visit the grave.

Holiday Lodge, Lander, WY

I immediately drive to my motel and get my stuff out of the car. Then I check again for dinner. The Cooking Crow has opened recently and should be really good, let’s see. But I am not able to find it in my software. Anyways, there is a Sanford just at the corner. It seems like this is also a chain because I have been at one in Sheridan. Let’s see, maybe I will check out the Cooking Crow and if I like it, I will have dinner there. Otherwise I walk over to Sanford.

Next, I do my bookkeeping and write my diary. Around half past seven I have finished this task and I get ready for departure. The restaurant is just a few blocks down the road, around 0.3 miles according to my software. Therefore I will walk today, that should not be too much. But I must not forget my sweater!

Then I take a look at the TV stations and to my happiness I realize that they even have CMT here — but this station does not really has much video clips anymore but only some stupid stories, which I am not really interested in. I am really wondering what all this has to do with Country Music. Therefore I continue with the Weather Channel while doing other stuff. Since several days, the humidity is below 20% which you can slowly tell by your lips.

Around half past seven I leave in direction of Downtown. But the Cooking Crow is closed and at the spot where my software stated that there is a Sanford is only a building for sale. So much for dinner. On my way I passed a grill, where people where sitting outside in the backyard. But they only have salad and burgers. Therefore I decide to go to The Oxbow after all.

There I receive the same small table like the last time. Actually, they could have given me a booth because they are not really busy. However, my server also seems not to be enthusiastic about her job. Just to be sure, I ask for another Pepsi when she served my dinner.

Around a quarter past nine I pay and walk back to my motel. Now I would like to have a coffee. But unfortunately, there is none in my room. Therefore I must start my task just equipped with water. Let’s see how long I will be able to make it. Around half past eleven and two tapes later I finally give up. I quickly copy the pictures from my camera, then I fall dead tired into my bed…

The next day is in preparation…

Sights
Popo Agie Falls

General
Breakfast: Cowboy Cafe, Dubois
Dinner: The Oxbow, Lander
Motel: Holiday Lodge, Lander
Distance: 132 miles

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