August 12-15, 2017 Saratoga to Rawlins, Wyoming

Well I got into Saratoga and my fancy new smart phone did not work. After a huge amount of hassle and 2 hours + on the phone with verizon we got it straightened out. I feared I was not smart enough for the smart phone, I had a flip phone till last week. But it was a problem with the plan the salesman sold me, it was cheaper, but did not have as good of coverage- like roaming. Took another hour to set my phone back up. Spent most of the day on that. I am  not good with new technology. But it is fixed and makes phone calls now.

This lion is on the frozen foods in the grocery store in Saratoga. Mounted animals all over town, there is an excellent taxidermist here, but a lion in the grocery store is  surprising. I kayaked on the lake again this evening. I scared up these gulls on the swim beach across the lake.

Sunset was not a brilliant as last night, but still very pretty. I love being on the lake at dusk. Smooth water, great light.

Sightseeing today we saw the old log cabin and historic pavilion at the Saratoga Museum, brook trout at the fish hatchery and this Please do not bath in the horse trough downtown. Riding on my bike today on this smooth dirt road around the lake and above, perfect mid 70's, light breeze, clear fresh air, long vistas was great and no people.

Beautiful light and flowers at the lake on my bike ride back.

Saw this Wazat for sale at the campground. I wonder if it includes all the gear? Sunset on the lake from my boat. It was not as smooth tonight, but still pretty.

Made some cinnamon roll bread today. Used frozen whole wheat bread dough. It made way too many big bubbles, but tastes great. I have also been working on some smaller baskets for the show this weekend. 

The wind did not die down till almost dusk, so I got out on the lake then, paddled around in the twilight and dark. Saw lots of wildlife and a thunderstorm down south, saw the lightening, but did not hear any thunder. And bats. Lots of fun.

 

 We drove to Rawlins, Wyoming today to stock up before heading to Riverton for the eclipse. We toured the Wyoming Frontier Prison. It operated from 1901 to 1981. It was pretty grim and cold. John and Emily our tour guide in cell block A.

John tried to lock me up there, but I escaped. He is viewing the gas chamber. I did not go in so he could lock me in there. 

While we were in the prison a huge thunder storm rolled through with some marble sized hail. I had left the windows open on the bus, but only the couch and John's side of the bed got a little wet. This cool house is a B and B now. 

The bus at the Western Hills RV park. All three of the parks here look like this, mostly gravel and no trees and right off the highway. During the afternoon the wind blew 25 mph with 30 mph gusts and it was cold. Here is a Wyo wind sock, the strength of the wind is determined by the angle of the chain. Blowing pretty hard here.