Day 17

 early morning sunrise and Rylie found a Starbucks, altho we had to go in, no drive up

But got an early start

It is darn right handy to have a navigator in the car who knows about Google and GPS (except for northern Nebraska and southern So Dakota) and can look up how long to get somewhere and how to get there... would never have found this Holiday Inn w/o her

reservoir near Eden Valley WY

This was really interesting

Oh and yesterday we went by Thunder Basin coal mine.... oh my goodness, you could put 4 cities of Bend in that hole!!! and the HUGE trucks and all there were i don't even know how many coal trains we saw that day, double tracks and stopped counting trains after a dozen and near that Thunder Basin there were more than a dozen RR lines and the road went over the top of them. and the dust... AND there was a HUGE orange sign that said Blasting in area and to not encounter an orange cloud if one should appear.... what????  that was crazy.... could not tell how deep it went... but the cut out in the land went round and round...

Around Atlantic City there were pits, but now filled with water and there were trees growing around.. it has been some time and maybe there was some replanting that went on

Thought this interesting too.. did not know... you read any westerns and south pass is regularly mentioned especially in conjunction with the Oregon Trail.. and just standing there, with the car off and  the wind blowing, and it was blowing! you just imagine, the relief that they got there way before Winter and were most of the way to Oregon, and just kept on walking and walking... tomorrow i am making her walk to where you can see the ruts in the rock next to the Snake River,

I just stood there and had my moment.

Herself was on the phone, said oh wow, when i pointed it out

BUT i made her get OUT of the car

and pose for this picture... you can see how excited she is...

Tonite we are at stable Holiday Inn, had dinner at Red Robin and she had her burger with an egg on top (gross) and kids sundae and now we are going to the pool, so she is happy.. and tomorrow we should be home by 2-3pm

Take Care All and God Bless

Take time for your moments.......