June 27, 2012

Our stay in Thermopolis was kind of lazy since we’d been there before and had seen pretty much all there is to see. Stan went fishing on Tuesday so Rob and Jerre and I went into town. Jerre wanted to get some books at Storyteller, the local bookstore/gathering place. There’s a table with chairs in the back of the store with a large shovel laid across it. The owner said it’s there because it can get pretty deep in there sometimes. I wanted to go to the quilt store which used to be right next door, but has succumbed to the poor economy. All I really needed was some elastic to fix the waistband in some shorts. I thought Pamida might have some so off we went to the other side of town. Jerre had never been in Pamida so was excited for the opportunity. Right away we spotted some bargains. There were sales racks out in front sporting men’s and women’s clothing. Rob found a new shirt for the upcoming DuBois rodeo for $7. How can you pass up a bargain like that. Jerre found one for Stan also. Checking out things inside was even better. I’m not sure what all Jerre ended up with. I didn’t find my elastic however; they were out. The sales clerk sent us to a new store downtown. “Go up to the light and turn right. It’s right there.” There’s only one light in town. This store was referred to as a “crafts store” and it did have some yarn and embroidery thread, but also some of everything you can think of. Another hour of checking out all the “stuff”, and again, I’m not sure what all Jerre found. I did find my elastic. By the way, this store is directly across from the bookstore that we had been to earlier.

The wind picked up while we were out shopping and not long after the entire valley was filled with smoke. We couldn’t get a straight answer as to where the fire was, but we thought it was near. Later we learned there were two; one near Casper and one near Fontenelle. Neither place was very close to us so we weren’t in any danger, but there was a lot of smoke.

Stan returned late afternoon reporting that he had caught one trout. The wind was just too strong for fly fishing.

Dinner at the Mexican restaurant.

Today we decided to check out the new Wyoming Whiskey Distillery in Kirby, about 13 miles up the road. Apparently a couple of attorneys from the Jackson area had more money than they knew what to do with so they decided to start a distillery. They are really making bourbon, not whiskey and have been operating for about four years. They are set to release their first bottling in December. Their Master Distiller if from Kentucky and is in the Bourbon Hall of Fame. He was talked into coming out of retirement to start up this distillery. All of the ingredients are from Wyoming; corn from Thermopolis, wheat from Meeteetse, barley from Riverton and water from artesian wells in Worland. They plan to produce 1000 barrels a year and are in production year round. Eventually, they plan to market across the entire U.S.

More smoke filled our campground this evening. Not sure if this is a rekindling or a new fire. It wasn’t as hot today as yesterday and winds didn’t pick up until late afternoon. We had a visitor in the campground in the early evening....a four point buck. 

We’re out of here tomorrow. We’ll go straight to DuBois. Stan and Jerre are headed to Lander where they will meet with the Courtneys and Helsings before coming to DuBois.