Road Trip Day Four: Nothing Special

I left Lehi Utah fairly late and drove up the 215 and onto the 80.  As soon as I began to climb the pass the terrain changed from desert grey and red to all green.  At the summit there were tall pine trees and a nice breeze.  The descent into Wyoming first presented with rolling green hills but slowly changed to brown dry scrub brush. 

Just inside Wyoming I stopped an Evanston to stretch and look around a bit.  The historic downtown is a collection of early 19^th Century buildings.  If you walk around downtown you will be treated to constant Country Western Music playing from outdoor speakers.  I did an internet search for a coffee place and found “The Caffeinated Cowboy.”  It is the smallest coffee house I have yet visited.  Definitely takeout.

As continued east on the 80 I saw all these signs for “Little America.”  The billboards said Buffalo
Burgers; 75 cent ice cream cones; and, 17 marble bathrooms.  I got off the highway and followed the signs – to a truck stop.  After yesterday’s experience, I made a U-turn and got back on the highway. 

I arrived at my overnight destination in Rocky Springs, Wyoming.  Well, Don Draper would have loved

the Clarion Hotel.  In the 1960s, the ski-lodge like lobby with roaring fireplace and the indoor pool under the open beam ceilings would have been first rate.  But, it has been a hard 50 years for the Clarion.  The hotel is using paint and Lysol like foundation make-up. 

As I entered the lobby the first thing I noticed that it did not have a “mask” or “Covid” sign.  It did have a sign that says, “Take Off Your Muddy Shoes Before You Enter.”   My room is a balcony room over the indoor pool.  That means I can currently hear 8 or 9 children doing cannon balls into the pool.  And, when I walk out of my room the air is that humid chlorine smell.  Seriously, I opened my door and took the picture of the pool.

The town hear has an interesting mix of early 20^th Century buildings.  I did find the Masonic Lodge, walked around bit and had dinner at the Village Café.  It was okay, they served me chicken friend steak with my gravy.

Tomorrow I am staying at the Wright Lodge and Open Range Steak House on the border of Montana and South Dakota.  I am hopeful.