Road Trip Day Five: Toast in Rawlins

An early start on a Sunday morning meant open road.  The first leg, east on the 80 until I got to the town of Rawlins, Wyoming.  I reached Rawlins about 8AM and saw two local police officers pulling into the parking lot of a convenience store (The Jug and Loaf).  I figured they would know the best place to get breakfast on a Sunday Morning.  

The one whose patch I took a picture of was loaded down with tactical gear.  His regular uniform plus a tactical vest with six magazines (plus the two on his belt), a taser, and pockets filled with stuff.  Policing sure has changed, when I started it was a revolver and a 30 inch piece of hickory (the baton).  Or, maybe Rawlins is super dangerous on Sunday mornings.  Anyway, we chatted a while and they had two recommendations:  Penny’s Café or Cappy’s Café.  Their

Masonic Temple in Rawlins Wyoming

recommendations were tepid, at best. 

I then asked them, “Do you have a Masonic Lodge in town?”  The non-tac vest officer quickly replied, “No we have never had a Masonic Lodge.”  Before I could reply, Tac Vest Officer said, “That’s right, but there is a Masonic Temple downtown.”  I got directions.

I had passed Cappy’s on the way into town so I drove back there.  If you live in San Dimas, the interior looks like Roady’s.  Same worn booths and tables.  The comparison ends there. I ordered a Western Omelet.  The server asked, “Would you like toast?”

“Yes, may I have sour dough?”

“Sorry, we are out.”  She replied.

“Okay, Rye?”

“No.  We ran out of that this morning.”  She said.

“Wheat?”

“No.  We just ran out.” 

“English muffin?”  I asked.

“We don’t carry that.”

“White?” 

“Western omelet and white toast” She said as she scribbled on her pad.  I think they are missing an “R”in Cappy.

After eating I stepped outside for the customery smoke.  I kept looking across the parking lot at this parked car and trying to figure out what model it was.  It looked like a 1950s something.  I must be tired.  After a minute or so I could see why I couldn’t determine the make or model.

Wyoming Frontier Prison

After looking at the Lodge, I drove three blocks north to the Wyoming Frontier prison.  It’s now a museum, with guided tours.  It was open,
but I had missed the tour by 15 minutes and the next one wasn’t for about 45 minutes.  Although I didn’t hang out for the tour, I did look through the three small, but packed exhibition rooms.  The exhibition were worth the stop and if I had time, the tour would probably have been interesting.  If you are ever Rawlins, its thumbs down on Cappy’s but thumbs up on the prison. 

Out of Rawlins I drove north on the 220.  Between Rawlins and Casper, there is Independence Rock.  It was considered the half-way point for settlers traveling from Missouri to Oregon and California. 

Near Independence Rock Wyoming

I made a 2 mile detour on the route and drove into Casper Wyoming.  I stopped along the road in town to get a good look at the North Platte River.  If you asked people about American Rivers they might say the Mississippi or the Colorado.  But, I always wanted to see (and cross) the North Platte.  It is over 500 miles long and winds through Montana, Colorado and Nebraska.  If you have read more than two Westerns in your life you have read about the Platte.     

I continued north and east on various highways until I reached my destination on the high plains – Wright Montana.  The temperature hovered between 54 and 63 from Rocky Springs until Wright (315

High Plains in Wright Wyoming

miles) and it rained, occasionally hard.  Wright is about 90 minutes or so from my next stop (Mount Rushmore). 

The Wright Hotel is the best place I have stayed thus far.  Very large, clean and quiet.  Still has the muddy boots sign – must be a Wyoming thing.