July 1, 2012 Thermopolis, Wyo

We left the mountains and headed to Thermopolis over the Big Horns.

Big Horn Mountains. It was still a steep climb, but the bus made it without over heating. The air was cooler in the morning.

The alpine flowers were  blooming on  the pass. We passed Meadowlark ski area. I have never skied at this one.

We came back to the plains by Tensleep, Wyo. We pulled in to Thermopolis and parked at the Fountain of Youth RV park. the sign has seen better days. The Wyoming wind must have gotten to it.

Here is the Fountain of Youth. They were drilling for oil here and hit water. The flow was so strong that it destroyed the drilling rig. Thermopolis is known for it’s mineral hot springs.  Downtown Thermopolis has a dinosaur museum.

Hot springs park in town. The mountain there say Worlds Largest mineral Hot Springs. The Shoshone Indians who lived here called the springs smoking waters.

This is one of the springs at the Hot Springs park in town. When the US bought the land from the Shoshone they treaty stated that the hot springs would remain free for who ever wanted to soak. In Hot Springs state park they have an indoor and outdoor pool you can soak in, but they only let you soak for 20 minutes. Across the street is the Star Plunge with water slides. You have to pay to get in there. It does not look like it has changed since I came here in high school.  The hotels here all have hot spring pools too.

Meanwhile back at Fountain of Youth John is cooking dinner. BBQed steaks and grilled veges.

We soaked in the beautiful Fountain of Youth pool after dinner. In the second photo you can see how much younger John got, he is over in the right of the photo wearing a red life jacket.

Sunset.