“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow.”
~ Anita Desai
Initially, it felt like Wyoming might be a let down. If Colorado is so well regarded as a popular and preferential destination for incoming residents and visitors alike, perhaps spending 15 days in neighboring Wyoming would disappoint. After all, we just finished a wonderful 28 day stay in Colorado. The cities in Wyoming are smaller and sleepier. The population is fewer and overall much more rural. The reputation for tourism is not bad certainly, but it has some steep competition with so many amazing surrounding western US states!
The Wyoming leg of our summer travels will span from July 6 – 21, 2021 and we will stay in three separate locations and campgrounds, primarily because we were unable to find campgrounds with space for much longer than four to six nights at a time (the lesson in this is, during post-pandemic times, know that there are a LOT more folks getting away from it all through camping, so reservations must be made WAY in advance!).
Stop #1 was Cheyenne, WY. As it turned out, this was the perfect balance of our time, with six days to explore and relax in the area. As we approached the state of Wyoming, it quickly became apparent that this southeastern region of the state was much different than the perhaps the more glamorous state of Colorado we had just left. The views were still beautiful, but in a different way. From the highway at least, you no longer noticed grand ranches and towns that were economic hubs. Instead it was more flat, more brown, and simpler in its beauty.
Our first impression upon arrival at our campground was that this area of Wyoming seems to be less of a destination and more a “stop along the way”. The campground was at 100% occupancy every night of our stay, but completely cleared out each morning except for perhaps a half dozen other campers, as travelers quickly moved on to wherever was their ultimate destination. What a shame. We were fortunate to be among the few campers that were going to spend a little time discovering Cheyenne.
We had a great visit to the area, but it was indeed a very different place than that which we had just left. My favorite day in Cheyenne was our last – and it was for simple, unexpected reasons. But before I share the best, let me share the rest…
Cheyenne is a city that was smaller and sleepier than I had imagined the largest city in the state would be. It is the capital as well, and steeped in history. There are only about 60,000 people there, it has a rough and tumble history, and lenient alcohol laws that permit open containers on the streets. So it was not surprising to see distilleries, breweries, outdoor concerts, a variety of western-themed museums and a historic shopping area that would entertain, educate and enlighten us for the next six days.
I found the website cheyenne.org and several free and for-a-fee coupon download opportunities. We began with a trolly tour of the downtown and quickly became acclimated to the simple layout of the area. In the midst of a mini heat wave, the air-conditioning on board the trolley was less than efficient, but the admission was included with our $20 per person Legendary Pass which included admission to seven area attractions. We also were able to visit the Cheyenne Depot Museum, the Nelson Museum of the West, and the Terry Bison Ranch (a discounted admission) with the same pass. All were worthwhile, but in keeping with the Cheyenne theme, were also quaint and simple while remaining chock full of interest and history.
Another download from the Cheyenne Visitor’s Guide website (Daddy of the Malt) gave us BOGO discounts at any of a half dozen “thirst parlors” in town – we found our way to Accomplice Beer Company, set in the historic Cheyenne Depot. The (train) Depot is, of course, right alongside the many rows of still very active train tracks that in the 1860s, caused a quickly burgeoning city as new Americans arrived in what had previously been vast Native American and bison lands.
We ate our first authentic and tasty Chicken Fried Steak at the Albany Restaurant, in the heart of downtown. You could see the history in the building facades wherever we walked, and in the photographs lining the walls inside the restaurant. Without a fancy interior, but with a really bustling local crowd on a weeknight, you get the sense that most of the streets and stores and restaurants roll up their sidewalks and close their doors at night as the breweries, distilleries and various beverage parlors welcome the crowds later at night.
Along the way, we caught a little bit of the daily gunslinger show and we shopped for gifts, snacks and western wear downtown. But one of our best discoveries was what has to be among the best restaurants in all of Cheyenne. Nothing fancy, as seems to be the feel of all of the Cheyenne restaurants we visited, the varied and unique menu is what caught our eyes. EpicEGG is a breakfast and brunch stop, open only until 2:00 pm each day. We loved the look of so many items on the menu that we went two days in a row….and took a take-out order home as well! Our favorites? Go Green Bene (a meatless twist on Eggs Benedict) and Epic Bene (a meatier twist on the classic). I also enjoyed my first ever Chicken Fried Chicken and Waffle, served with warm maple syrup and Andy enjoyed a meaty, cheesy, eggy, skillet dish that was also delicious. We took home some Sausage Gravy and Biscuit and from their lunch fare, a Reuben Sandwich. We were left wanting more, with our eyes caught on breakfast items with a Mexican flare, stuffed French toast and Pineapple Upside Down Cake Pancakes! Each savory menu item featured a different type of bread, including ciabatta, biscuit, English muffin, croissant, or quinoa cakes! Then, of course is the no-judgment-zone day drinking menu, including a dozen varieties of Mimosa, several Bloody Mary features and a few other unique cocktails that made this restaurant a fun midday stop on the tourist trail!
All of this fun brings us back to our best day in Cheyenne – our last day.
We awoke on a beautiful Sunday, with temperatures expected to be mercifully average – in the mid-to-high 80s, with the usual dry atmosphere to which our skin and eyes were finally adjusting after months of low humidity. There was no rain in the forecast, and the breeze, seemingly always present in Wyoming, made this day relaxed and comfortable, as we made our way to a local church.
Andy wore his newly acquired western boots and hat (yep, we are THOSE tourists, lol), and I wore my new Chaco sandals, all part of some of the fun shopping we enjoyed in Cheyenne. We were both dressed casually, something that was perfectly acceptable and noted on the Cheyenne Hills Church website (and a big perk as FT RVers with a small RV-sized wardrobe). I selected this church because it was the closest to our campground and because it seemed much different than any churches we had attended previously, but what we received was more meaningful.
The experience was moving for us. Their use of technology to meet their mission was impressive. Their facilities were beautiful and amazing. The music was inspiring. The service had high production value. But the 21 year old speaker that day, aptly named Cole Church, was the icing on the cake that was our visit to Cheyenne!
You can see and hear the entire service at this link, selecting the sermon entitled The Scoffers, recorded on 7/11/21. The musical preludes and rest of the service are all worthwhile, but if you wish to get right to the message we heard, go to 36:45. As is often the case, you get what you need. We were reminded, through a sermon that was timely for us, that “God is real…God is in control…God is patient. The TRUTH is still real in a world of grey”. 1:07:29 is the closing prayer that moves into a beautiful cover song (The Comment Section, Sidewalk Prophets) as well. Give it a listen and bring a little bit of beautiful Cheyenne into your world.
Do not get the wrong impression. It is not to say that Cheyenne was so ho-hum that a church service was the highlight of my stay, but rather, that this church visit was so wonderful, it became the culminating event in a really great visit to Cheyenne, Wyoming! The church’s tagline is “Across The Street; Around The World” and this is a perfect representation of them and their mission – as well as something that truly speaks to us as a couple seeking a new church at each stop along the way in our travels.
As we held hands and left Cheyenne Hills Church (headed over to epicEgg for our second visit), I couldn’t help but imagine that one day, we will settle our roots once again, end our nomadic RVing ways, and find a worship home that stirs inspiration, love and peace into our life like this visit to Cheyenne Hills gifted us on this Sunday.
Thanks Cheyenne Hills Church and Cheyenne, Wyoming. We aren’t exactly across the street, and we aren’t so far as to be around the world either. But don’t be surprised if we check in online occasionally to enjoy your church, wherever our nomadic life takes us!
Stop #2 – Casper, Wyoming!
“Veni Vidi Amavi” (We came, We saw, We loved.)
~ Roman Proverb
