Robert Stuart Trail 1812 — 1813

Day 30: September 10th, 2007 Wheatland — Scottsbluff

With some mixed feelings due to my car issues I walk again over to the restaurant across the street for breakfast. Hopefully things will work out with the mechanic. Nevertheless, I have my breakfast calmly. The service is mediocre, but the breakfast is quite okay. Then I walk back, put my stuff into the car and check out.

Across the street is a gas station where I quickly gas up. At half past nine I depart to look for Wheatco. Due to the good directions I have received, I find them without any searching around. And indeed they are able to squeeze me in! They just have to try to get the axle sealing somewhere. After a couple of phone calls they secured the seal for me and immediately start their work.

In the meantime I have a chat with David, the owner. He moved to this location two years ago with his family from Florida, because people at Florida started to be too stuck up. For these people mechanics are second class people, where you don’t want to be seen in public. And in schools they teach so much Spanish that the kids almost feel like foreigners.

David, Kyle, Wheatco Sales & Service, Wheatland, WY

When he arrived here, this place looked just like a junkyard. The old tires were stocked up to the power lines. Slowly he has cleaned up everything and also thinks to expand. He is also the only radiator guy in the area, because the only other one has passed away. It is interesting to see, that he also has the impression that his fellow countrymen are too much convinced from themselves. All in all he is someone, who really is in the know and with whom you can talk for hours.

David, Kyle, Wheatco Sales & Service, Wheatland, WY

But around half past eleven my truck is ready and I continue my journey. As it seems right now, I am even able to reach my planned destination of today! I say thank you for this fantastic job and promise to let them know as soon as the pictures are on my web page.

Grayrocks Rd, Grayrocks Bridge, Chugwater Creek, WY

Grayrocks Rd, WY

Grayrocks Rd, WY

Grayrocks Rd, WY

On small highways I leave Wheatland.

Tank Farm Rd, WY

Then I cross the Laramie River.

On Highway 160 I cross the North Platte River and reach Fort Laramie. But when I am on Highway 26 I realize that I have missed the historic fort accidentally.

Officer Quarters Ruins, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Captains Quarters, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Laramie River, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Captains Quarters, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Old Guardhouse, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Old Guardhouse, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Fort Laramie NHS, WY

New Guardhouse, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Cannons, New Guardhouse, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

New Guardhouse, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Old Bakery, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Cavalry Barracks, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Post Traders Store, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Post Office, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Lt. Colonel Quarters, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Post Surgeons Quarters, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Old Bedlam, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Fort Laramie NHS, WY

Old Bedlam, Fort Laramie NHS, WY

On my second attempt I reach Fort Laramie National Historic Site. This is a huge area and I have the chance to do a lot of video taping and taking pictures. Also I am eventually able to get the first post cards on this trip to say Hi to my friends back home.

Army Iron Bridge, Fort Laramie, WY

Army Iron Bridge, Fort Laramie, WY

Around half past three I leave the fort to reach the historic Army Iron Bridge, which is just next to this area.

Backroad, WY

Then I continue on backroads. But unfortunately I am locked out pretty soon by private property again.

Therefore I must drive back to Highway 26 and through Fort Laramie.

Deer Creek Rd, WY

Now I am traveling alternately on backroads, which are sometimes closed, and bigger and smaller highways.

On Highways 156, 85 and 92, I pass Torrington.

RD56, WY

On backroads I cross the state line to Nebraska.

Highway 92, WY

Now I continue on backroads to Highway 92.

Without searching, I am able to find the Super 8 in Scottsbluff. However, the reception people are extremely impolite. Pretty rigid I am asked for all my personal data like phone numbers etc. — I am sure they will call me in Germany from here! Usually, they just put something in and don’t keep you up forever. Therefore my check in is extremely delayed in addition to that it is already 7pm!

Pretty annoyed from this motel I put my stuff into the room and check the first part of my video taping. Then I leave for a Applebee’s for dinner, which I have found in the phone book. Unfortunately, there this mediocre service continues. I definitely have seen way better service in Nebraska yet. Pretty much pissed off I drive back to my motel at 9pm and check the rest of my video taping. Then the usual tasks must be done like diary, book keeping and GPS data entering. As there is at least a coffee machine in the room, I make myself a coffee — whereas the sugar is not in the room but must be picked at the motel lobby…