Bighorn Day Trip...

The forecast looked amazing for September 26th so we decided the elder Sandbergs should see our favorite mountain range, the Bighorns. Some very kind friends let Brennen stay with them for the day so he wouldn't miss a birthday party. The rest of us headed out very early in the morning. Our first goal: The breakfast buffet at Bear Lodge near Burgess Junction on the north end of the range featuring Big Mike's made-to-order omeletes, biscuits and, of course, Big Mike himself. The buffet closes at 10:00 a.m. and we made it just in time. The omelets lived up to our enthusiastic praises and Big Mike spent a considerable amount of time at our table visiting. He was charming, the food amazing and the day off to a great start.

What can I say? We are still in awe that we live so close to this much beauty! The mountains in fall are spectacular. Due to hunting season, we saw no moose or elk. This was the first time we've been in the Bighorns without seeing any. My in-laws were troopers! In case you care to see how much mileage we put on (more than 500 miles!), trace this route: Casper to Sheridan, west to Burgess, loop around north of 14, back to alt 14, down through Shell Canyon to Greybull, Greybull south to Worland, east to Tensleep, east to Powder River pass, southeast down Crazy Woman Canyon and then back to Casper. Wow!

Here are some pictures that just don't do the scenery justice:

Smoke from a controlled burn the Forest Service was conducting:

Picnic spot above Meadowlark Lake on the southwest side of the range:

Take one of me, Mommy:

One very brave deer in Crazy Woman Canyon:

What a satisfying day full of beauty, warmth and the gold aspens holding the sunshine in their leaves!

Christy