Fort Collins, CO to Draper, UT – Sep 2021

I really enjoyed my stay in Fort Collins but it was time to move on to my next destination.  I was heading to stay with an old friend just outside of Salt Lake City, in Draper, UT.  It was a full day of travel with plenty of exploration.
Although Cheyenne wasn’t on my original itinerary, I added it.  Cheyenne was only slightly out of the way and besides having some disc golf courses, I enjoy seeing state capitols. I’m this close to Cheyenne, I may as well stop by.

The Greeting as you enter Wyoming
I arrived very early in the morning, grabbed a cup of coffee at a local coffee place, The Crooked Cup, and headed to the capitol building.  I thought this capitol building was a bit drab, especially in comparison to some of the capitol buildings I had seen on the trip.  I walked around the building and admired the one stature they had, a cowboy on a bucking bronco.
Of course… I had to play a round.  I really enjoyed the course at Romero Park in Cheyenne.  It was a beautiful morning and since I was the only one on the course, it was very quit and peaceful.  Shot par for the course.
There were stretches of road along my route through Wyoming were wind farms in every direction as far as I could see.  Mile after mile of windmills.  I found it fascinating.
Continuing on Route 80 West, I came across the Summit Rest Area just before reaching Laramie, WY.  It was originally built on the highest point on the Lincoln highway.  The Lincoln Highway is the first transcontinental auto road stretching from New York to San Francisco.  I saw many references to the Lincoln Highway on my travels.  When Interstate 80 was completed, it was moved to this rest area.  I like how Abe’s bust just sits there, forever looking out on the highway.
I took another break at the Vedauwoo Recreation Area which is located in the Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest.  This forest is more than two million acres of public land in Colorado and Wyoming.  This was also a stop that was not on my original itinerary, however, I saw these rock formation as I was driving down the highway and was curious.  I followed signs and it turned out to be a good place for a little hike.
What it looks like to be driving through nowhere Wyoming….
I went to a nine basket disc golf course in Rock Springs, WY before breaking for the night.  It was a fun little desert course.  It was set on a hillside and was very rocky with very few obstacles.  It was quite windy which made it challenging.  I played it twice!
I arrived in the Salt Lake City area early the next morning.