Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 28: September 8th, 2007 Rawlins — Casper

For breakfast I try my luck again at Cappy’s. But unfortunately they don’t have breakfast. Also I have seen nothing along the road. So I first gas up at a Conoco and ask there for a good place for breakfast. There is a TA Truck Stop just one exit down the Interstate. I say thank you and try my luck there. The restaurant is quite full and after a stumbling start also the service is okay. The breakfast is great, which I would have not expected here! I pay and unmount first the antenna mount from my truck roof to avoid further damage there. There I must realize that almost the whole hole is torn apart. Lucky me that I was taking care immediately of this issue. Otherwise it would have probably completely worked through my roof top…

I still have some silicone from the last years somewhere in my truck. To my surprise it has not yet hardened through. So I pack as much as I can around the hole that it will not rain into my car. Originally I planned to buy a new antenna. But as it is already a quarter to eleven I give up on that.

First I take the same highways out of Rawlins as yesterday when I arrived.

Highway 287/789, WY

Highway 287/789, WY

Highway 287/789, WY

When traveling during day light I am able to realize through what a beautiful landscape I am traveling here on Highway 220!

Highway 287/789, WY

Highway 287/789, WY

Highway 287/789, WY

I still continue north and pass Lamont. There I plan to take the backroads through the Whiskey Gap. But again, private property stops me.

Highway 220, WY

Highway 220, WY

After several attempts I must finally give up and have to take Highway 220 through Muddy Gap.

Highway 220, Devil’s Gate, WY

Oregon Trail Blvd, Devil’s Gate, WY

It is hard to see the Devil’s Gate from there. But after taking the Oregon Trail Blvd I am starting to see the small canyon, which the Sweetwater River has formed.

Highway 220, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, Independence Rock, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, Sweatwater River, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Pronghorns, Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

After I have done my video taping and taking pictures, I continue to Independence Rock. This one is fenced in on a rest area. There, a lot of trek drivers have carved their names in the rock on their way to Oregon or California. Just behind the rock my backroad to Pathfinder NWR starts. This road also has the Oregon Trail Markers along the road.

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

Emigrant Trail Rd/RD319, WY

However, the road is at some spots really challenging. Sometimes you can just guess where the road runs along through the grass. After a couple of gates I suddenly arrive at a huge ranch area which is surrounded by big metal gates. There is no way taking me around. I really think for a while if I should really enter the property and pass the house. But I am not able to find any alternative route. So I open the big gate and drive slowly through. After passing through, I close the gate well–behaved and continue to the second one. From the house you must have a good view of the road. But there is no one to see. So I slowly continue to the next big gate, open it, drive through and close it again well–behaved. I am not able to spot anyone around, so I drive on.

Backroad, WY

Backroad, WY

Backroad, WY

Backroad, WY

Notwithstanding, I am forced to drive back to the main road, because I am not able to find the exit for my next backroad. But I must only travel for a short distance there, before I am able to exit again. Now I start to put gloves on to open the gates, because you can easily hurt yourself at the barbwires.

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, WY

Once again I must drive a detour, then I arrive at the North Platte River.

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, Pathfinder Reservoir, WY

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, WY

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, North Platte River, WY

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, North Platte River, WY

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, North Platte River, WY

Fremont Canyon Rd/RD408, WY

Kortes Rd/RD407, WY

This part of the road is absolutely picturesque. Unfortunately I am already very late and the sun does not shine in the canyons anymore. But even then I make a couple of stops for taking pictures and to video tape.

Kortes Rd/RD407, WY

Kortes Rd/RD407, WY

Kortes Rd/RD407, North Platte River, WY

With a bunch of beautiful shots I continue to Highway 220.

Highway 220, WY

Highway 220, WY

Highway 220, Casper, WY

This one takes me to Casper, my destination of today. Without any searching around I am able to find my Motel 6. Around half past six I am checking in. There I am able to witness a crowning accomplishment of this day from a lady, who complains about dirty curtains — and she even asks for a porter to carry her suitcase — and this at a Motel 6!

Staying at an absolute budget motel but expecting the service of a four star hotel. Also the lady at the reception can only shake her head. Given that, she is really happy to have a regular guest with me next. According to her there shall also be an Outback Steakhouse around. But it is almost 3 miles away. That is not a problem. I have driven further in the past for a good steak. First I put my stuff into the room. To my surprise, I was even able to receive a room on first floor. Then I start to check the first video taping before I leave for the Outback Steakhouse.

I order my Outback Special and receive, as usual, really fast my salad and the bread. But the steak is really taking unusually long to show up. Suddenly the manager comes to my table and apologizes: Accidentally they made the steak too well done and they didn’t wanted to bring me that one out. Therefore they currently prepare a new steak for me! Such an excellent service I haven’t seen yet! I am totally overwhelmed! Somewhere else I am sure, they would have just handed out the steak as it is in the hope the guest would eat it anyway.

Due to this little delay it is already 10pm when I am back in the motel. There I do my book keeping, enter the GPS coordinates for tomorrow and check the next video taping. I am not able to check everything because I am simply getting too tired. But at least I was able to check all video taping from yesterday…