GATEWAY TO YELLOWSTONE

START  :    Ogallala, NE                      TODAY:         423  Miles

ENDING:  Thermopolis, WY              TOTAL:       2,317  Miles

CAMPGROUND:  Eagle RV Park

As we left McConaughy Lake we realized a train track ran along the entire length of the lake.  Within the next hour 5 trains of at least 100 cars loaded with coal passed us going East.  The coal is loaded in Wyoming, which is the largest producer of coal in the US. 

Definite changes of scenery today; although there are still small family farms, we mainly see cattle herds on wide-open grazing pasture with hills in the distance.  Riding along on smooth highways, viewing our route on the GPS, we try to imagine the wagon trains that pushed West to settle this land.  Historical markers are posted along the highway and in every small town.  The pioneers followed the Oregon Trail along the Platte River, then the railroads brought the settlers who later developed the agriculture and  cattle industries.  The locals are proud of their history and happy to share.

We passed the 2,000 mile mark at 10:00 and entered Wyoming by noon!

Oh my, the landscape is changing.  The roads are good, traveling is easy and the change of scenery is welcomed.  In  Shoshoni we turned North and headed into the mountains that are the gateway to      Yellowstone. 





















Driving through Boysen State Park  provided the most dramatic photo ops for the day.  Each time we rounded a curve or crested a ridge, there was another beautiful scene.