Pages: 1 - 2 - 3 - 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 - 8 - 9 - 10 - 11

John's first and only flat tire.

Day 3: Riverton to Thermopolis Yet another sunny May morning in Wyoming. The first part of this ride resumed through ranch land. The only miles not marked "scenic" on the AAA map, but pretty enough for us. We were still continuing along the Wind River but were completely unaware of just how scenic this ride was going to become.

The Wind River Canyon

Then, just as we passed Boynton Reservoir, we entered the magnificent Wind River Canyon. We'd been following the Wind River for two days but had not seen any scenery like this. A narrow canyon with 1000 ft. walls. Signs along the way pointed out the age of the rock cliffs measured in hundreds of millions of years. We were entering prime dinosaur fossil hunting territory.

For 15 miles we followed the curves of the river through tunnels cut in the rocks. The road on the east side of the river and train tracks on the west. You just didn't want this canyon to end.

Tunnels through the Wind River Canyon

Wind River flows into Thermopolis

Then, just as suddenly as we'd entered the canyon, the rock cliffs receded, and the river calmed. The road meandered into the little town of Thermopolis, and Hot Springs State Park, said to have the largest flow of geothermally heated mineral water in the world.

Thermopolis is a nice little town. Besides the Hot Springs State Park there is also a world famous Dinosaur Museum with fossils both local and from around the world. Some of the foremost paleontologists are at work in the digs around Thermopolis. Next