| s/y Nine of Cups Roadside Americana - Wyoming May - June 2012 |
| Kemmerer, WY was pretty proud of the fact it was home to the first J.C.Penney store, but really, the store wasn't much to brag about. Kemmerer,WY might be a small town, but in addition to the JC Penney mother store, it's the Fossil Capital of the World. WOW! |
| Our "own" cafe in the middle of nowhere. |
| We did a double-take when we saw this field moose. At least he didn't run. |
| Super-sized Ma & Pa by the roadside in southwest Wyoming for no apparent reason. |
| What's a jackalope? The jackalope is a mythical animal (???) of North American folklore. It is a fearsome critter described as a jackrabbit with antelope horns and sometimes a pheasant's tail. The jackalope has bred the rise of many outlandish (and largely tongue-in-cheek) claims as to the creature's habits. For example, it is said to be a hybrid of the pygmy-deer and a species of "killer rabbit". Reportedly, jackalopes are extremely shy unless approached. Legend also has it that female jackalopes can be milked as they sleep belly up and that the milk can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes. It has also been said that the jackalope can convincingly imitate any sound, including the human voice. It uses this ability to elude pursuers, chiefly by using phrases such as "There he goes! That way!" During days of the Old West, when cowboys gathered by the campfires singing at night, jackalopes could often be heard mimicking their voices. It is said that a jackalope may be caught by putting a flask of whiskey out at night. The jackalope will drink its fill of whiskey and its intoxication will make it easier to hunt. In some parts of the United States it is said that jackalope meat has a taste similar to lobster. However, legend has it that they are dangerous if approached. It has also been said that jackalopes will only breed during electrical storms including hail, explaining its rarity. from Wikipedia...must be true! |
| World's Largest Jackelope Douglas, WY |
| Don't forget to check out: Other National Parks & Monuments American Odyssey...Part I (Las Vegas to Denver) American Odyssey...Part II (Denver to Boston) Birds of North America Wildflowers of North America |
| Visit Wyoming's national parks and monuments with us: Yellowstone National Park Grand Teton National Park Fossil Butte National Monument Devils Tower National Monument |
| Baby jackelope herd ... must have been some electrical storm, eh? |
| Spotted Horse, Wyoming was on the Gillette Wildlife Loop. With a population of 2, their claim to fame is the "spotted horse" which adorns the roadside. |
| The Aladdin General Store, built in 1896, was first a saloon and still provides services and goods for the local ranches, townsfolk (pop 15) and passersby by on Rte 24. |
| From Wyoming, we headed to South Dakota where there was so much to see, we barely had a chance to catch our breaths. Talk about off-the-beaten path, off the wall kind of places. WOW! Come on along...you'll enjoy it. |
| A scrap metal cowboy sculpture near the highway in Gillette, gives you a feel for the real cowboy nature of this small Wyoming city. |
| There's not much in Chugwater, WY, but their roadside offer had us off the highway searching for our free taste. Unfortunately, it was closed on the Sunday we visited. |
| The Chugwater Soda Fountain was closed, too and the tall grain elevator on the siderail had seen better days. |