Following this, we headed to Gillette, where we parked at another friend's home for two days, until it was our turn to go into the Camplex, where this year's Escapade was being held. We managed to stay busy visiting a quilt shop, touring a coal mine, & swimming at their recreation center.
The Visitor's Center in Gillette sponsors a tour of a coal mine. We arrived at 9 the next morning & boarded a bus. There were about 20 of us as we headed out. Many were SKPs, also here for Escapade. On the way to the mine we learned that there are 13 active coal mines in the Powder River Basin. Of these, 12 are in Campbell County where Gillette is located. An average of 85 coal trains move out of the basin daily to power plants in 37 states across the country & accounts for approximately 35% of the nation's coal production. While Eastern coal mines average a sulphur content of between 3 & 10%, Wyoming coal averages between 0.2 & 0.55%. This means the coal burns cleaner.
We couldn't resist the typical tourist picture.
A 57 ply tire costs $38,000 each and lasts about 10,000 miles, or 2 years.
A coal delivery truck carries 240 tons. Here's one parked by a regular size van. Replacement costs approximately $4.3 million. Fuel tank capacity is 1,200 gallons of diesel. Weight empty is 185 tons. Loaded approximately 425 tons.
Each train car holds approximately 120 tons of coal. There are 115-140 cars per train. The average tons on a loaded train is 15,000 to 20,000. Each train is 1.5 miles long. It takes approximately 65 240 ton truck loads to load one train.
All in all it was a terrific tour. Oh, and besides we found an earthcache where the shovel and tire displays were and a geocache at the Visitor's Center.
That afternoon we visited the Gillette Recreation Center. It is a beautiful building with just about any kind of equipment you could ask for from walking tracks, to climbing walls, to exercise room, all kinds of courts and a great aquatic center. Nicest was the fact that admission is free to all those over 62 years of age.
We really enjoyed the "lazy river." This is an area about 3 1/2 feet deep with a strong current going around the river. You can walk with the current or for lots of exercise walk against the current. All the water guns are operational when the kids are in the pool, but turned off during "walking" times. There was also a regular lap swim pool and of course a wonderful hot tub, although the water in the river was kept at about 90 degrees, so it was very comfortable. We used their facilities a couple times while in Gillette.
That Saturday it was time to "move" into the Camplex for Escapade. We were parked very close to friends from our AZ park. We had a meeting with others working on the Row that afternoon, did a parade practice with our banners, and had dinner together that evening. Sunday was the opening.
There were 586 rigs in attendance with a total of 1198 individuals. There were a total of about 30 Coops, chapters, and Bof's on the Row. They had the usual row game with each booth having a stamp unique to them. The attendees filled out a bingo card as they visited and then completed cards were entered into a drawing for prizes. The row was open for 3 hours a day Sun-Wed. We really enjoyed ourselves and it was easy to sing the praises of our Coop. Here we are on the row.
Some of the other doings at Escapade follow.
A pet parade show this cute little guy with a cowboy riding along. Very appropriate for Wyoming!
The final night was a birthday party as Escapees celebrated 35 years! A banquet was held with approximately 1100 being fed. There was also cake and a champagne toast with souvenir glasses for all. It was a fun evening and capped off with a terrific fireworks show. The weather all week had been on the warm side, but clear. About five minutes after the regular fireworks started, God started his fireworks and we huddled under umbrellas in front of our rigs (for a windblock) as we watched the lightening and listened to the thunder all competing with the fireworks. It was an impressive show, if a wet one, and quite an ending to Escapade.
The next morning we left Gillette and headed toward the Big Horns. We towed the car to Buffalo, Wy and unhooked there. Gary took the Motor Home and headed for Sheridan, where he did all our laundry to date. I took the car and continued the Wyoming quilt shop hop. I went to the two stores in Buffalo, stopped at one in Story, and then went to the two stores in Sheridan. It was good timing as we both finished about the same time. We stayed unhooked as we drove up into the Big Horns above Sheridan. On the way, we passed the hotel where Buffalo Bill Cody sat on the porch and auditioned acts for his Wild West Show.
This being Friday of 4th of July weekend, we knew the campgrounds would be full. Not knowing the area, we weren't sure about finding a dispersed camping area, so we stopped at Arrowhead Lodge on the top. Surprisingly, they had 3 spaces with water and electricity for $15 a night. We took one and had a great spot for the weekend. We were at elevations of 8,500 -10,000+ feet for the weekend.
The next day we headed for the Medicine Wheel. This is the one major Wyoming attraction we had not visited. We took the car and headed down what's known as the "Oh, My God" highway to Sheridan. It was ten miles of 10% grade followed by another 8 miles of 8-10% grade. The wild flowers were incredible with fields of blue lupine and all the other colors mixed in. It was hard to get a picture to do it justice.
At that elevation there was still snow on the ground, on the north faces.
It is estimated that the Medicine Wheel was built between 1200 and 1700. It is not known for sure who built it or why. It was formed by laying rocks in a circle approximately eighty feet in diameter with twenty-eight lines or spokes radiating from the center to the outer rim. The arrangement of the stones in in the form of a wheel.
While the white man calls it the Medicine Wheel, the Native American Indians call it "the Place Where the Eagle Lands." To many people it is a sacred place. Some people believe that this is a vision quest site, a presentation of the Sun Dance Lodge, or a place to mark the summer solstice. It continues to be used today by Native American Indians for ceremonies and a special permit is required to enter the circle. There are six cairns around the circle. Four face in, one faces east, and one faces north. The exact purpose of these are not known.
Following this, we continued down the OMG hill to Lovell, Wyoming and another quilt shop. We made it a circle by driving to Greybull (& another quilt shop) and then back up past Shell Canyon and Shell Falls.
The views continued to be fantastic, whether going downhill or uphill!
Sunday we drove to our favorite Wyoming RV Park, the Fountain of Youth, in Thermopolis, Wyoming. This area has many mineral hot springs flowing. The pool at the RV park is about 50 feet wide, 100 feet long, and five feet deep throughout.
The State Park is located close by and has many majestic formations and the world's largest mineral springs.
Finally it was time to head back to Casper for Gary to participate in the Senior Olympics. Betty was kind enough to host us again in Bar Nunn for the week. Gary and his partner won gold in their age group doubles and then went on to will the overall doubles competition defeating all others. When they played singles, Gary won his age group, and then in the overall competition ended up playing his doubles partner in the finals. Gary had to settle for a Silver in that one. He would up his competition with a gold medal in the Golf Tournament.
We had a great time on our 2 1/2 week tour of Wyoming and were ready to head back to Evanston. Now we're ready to leave tomorrow, heading south to Show Low, Arizona. Everyone continue to have a great summer. We're sure enjoying ours.
Dancing south (?) to Arizona.............................
Hugs, Katy, Gary, and Bandit too!
That's a biggie. Bet it took more than one sitting.
ReplyDeleteSomeday I hope we can go to an Escapade but they are always in the summertime and we are up here.