ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION EXPEDITION!!!!

ANOTHER ROADSIDE ATTRACTION EXPEDITION!!!!

We were loaded and on the road a bit before 0900. We do have two seasons here in Wyoming - Road Construction and Winter, and we encountered several stretches of construction. Even with the Road construction we made good time for pulling a trailer. The Wyoming Wind was not behind us, rather it was a cross headwind at our 10 O’Clock position. Even with that we did average 12 MPG. Our route took us North on I-25 to Douglas, WY, then on Route 59 to Gillette, WY, and then I-90 to Exit 165 and north a few miles to Keyhole State Park.  We made one stop at The  Orin Junction Rest Area and then in Moorcroft for fuel, eighteen miles later we arrived at Keyhole State Park.  After checking in at the kiosk, we made our way to the Tatanka campground site #7. We are getting better at the set up as it took us about 15-20 minutes, that is leveling , hooking up water and electric, putting down stabilizers and getting the front porch set up. We had reserved this site as it is a pull through and has water and electric. Our total cost for two nights is $18, this includes the reservation service fee and our Wyoming Resident Permit rate. 

During this drive North, we noted several locations we would like to stop and explore, maybe later this fall if time allows, but next summer for sure. These location are only an hour or so drive away.  

First impressions of this Wyoming State Park are very impressive. The site is well shaded by pine trees, the site is very level, interior roads are smooth gravel, there are puppy poop bag stations, and the view of Keyhole Reservoir is nice. We really like the windows in the dinette area of this camper. 

The skies are filled with a smoky haze from the fires in Yellowstone and further West. We should have a view of Devils Tower from this location but the smoke haze is rather thick. Currently there is a ban on all open fires, but we can use our gas grill and stove. 

All of us are rather happy we have electric here at this site as we have the A/C running on MAX COOL. The outside temp in 95F.  The Boys are crashed on the bed and we are sitting doing our logs. Hope the temps drop a bit so we can take The Boys for a stroll.  

At 1700 the temperature had only dropped a few degrees, so we made dinner inside the camper. Tonight was a simple pasta, broccoli, tuna and cheese sauce. There is enough leftover for another meal later this week. Lynn cleaned up the dishes and The Boys were ready for a stroll around the campground. They met a couple other dogs and a few people complimented on their looks. On these walks, one of our activities is to look at the campsites and see which ones we would consider camping at in the future, I must admit we are happy with the site we now have. 

Back at the campsite we did a little reading and writing as we waited for sunset. We went into a large field overlooking the Keyhole Reservoir as the sun was setting. The Boys noticed a good sized herd of Pronghorn Antelope and were all excited. We took several photos of the sunset and headed to the campground. There was a good bit of cactus in the field and I am really surprised The Boys did not step on any. Sitka seemed to be doing some serious tracking.  As we entered the campground I noticed some large bird movement. I was able to get close enough to ID the bird as a Great Horned Owl. He stayed in his tree top perch as I walked closer. I got the feeling he was rather used to people as he let me get rather close. I really had to push the ISO on the camera to get these pictures. 

Back at our campsite we put up our chairs and table and closed up the awning. Kenai is still afraid of the awning, got me, to him it is this big moving thing over my head.  Time for bed, if The Boys will give us some room.