Day 20 (Saturday, July 10th (Caspar to Lusk, Wyoming)

This was our first day after the rest day in Casper, WY, and a long 108 mile ride to Lusk.   We had an early morning breakfast (6 am), said goodbye to Judi, Mike and Veronica, who joined me for a reunion on rest day, and then were off on the next leg across America.   We had a strong and steady tailwind, starting in Casper in the early morning and continuing all day.   We flew into Lusk on this breeze just in time to see their annual parade that celebrates the famous Niobrara County Pageant known as the "Legend of Rawhide".   After a great dinner at the local restaurant, we walked two block to the Fairgrounds to see this famous production put on by the town people of Lusk, memorializing the days of the wagon trains and a specific incident between the settlers and the Indians.   Barry and I were invited to attend as guests of the town of Lusk.   It turned out to be a spectacular show of history, horsemanship and just plain storytelling, so good that we are planning to return next year to share this with our families.

Here are some pics of the day's ride and the evening entertainment:


Judi, Mike and Veronica saying early morning goodbye to the Cyclers


Oops!  A second goodbye on I-25S as Judi, Mike, Vee (and P-Nut) return to Denver


More Oregon Trail Markers on Rt 26E.  We have been following the Oregon Trail for more nearly 1,000 miles as it has passed thru Wyoming, Idaho, and Oregon.   At this point, near the town of Glen Rock, the trail still has ruts in it that are nearly 3 feet deep.   Over 300,000 settlers used the Oregon Trail.


Hay bales in the morning sun - look at that sky!


Paving a stretch of Road on Rt 26E.  We are behind the "Follow Me" car for several miles as Rt 26E gets a new coat of asphault.   In general, the Wyoming Roads are pretty good, even the ones in the country where we have ridden.


Stopping for homemade cherry pie at La Bonta's Hotel.  The La Bonta is an historic hotel in the town of Glen Rock, famous for it's kitchen and pie shop.   Sorry we didn't include a picture of the cherry pie, we were so hungry we just dug in.


Barry on Rt 26E checking the distance to our next turn - still a ways to go to Lusk


Round hay bales as we get closer to Lusk


Racing the Coal Train to Lusk.  Wyoming is a major coal producing state.    We watched many full coal trains heading eastward on these tracks and the empty coal trains returning westward to refill.


The final push to Lusk - 106 miles (20 more to go)


Lusk at Last - 106 hot miles to our Lodging


ME icing knees in the late afternoon (this feels great!)


What's this?   A Parade in Lusk?   These are the Indians in the "Legend of Rawhide"


These are the Settlers that will be in the play later tonight - now parading


Here come the Indians again, this time with some Coors Beer (What kind of play is this?)


After Dinner at the Fairgrounds - Getting ready for the 'Legends of Rawhide".  Barry and I head down to the Fairgrounds to check out the "Legends of Rawhide" production.   Here are two of the Indians that will later be in the play.  If you want to buy one of these great indian ponies, all you need is $1,000.   These two teenagers raise these horses just outside of town.   Barry and I thought about trading our bikes in for horses.   I could probably get 3 or 4 horses for the Black Rocket.   Don't even think that!


Meet Holly and Kelsie Nelson (with Barry Lucas).  Holly Nelson moved to Lusk 45 years ago.  She and husband Gary are schoolteachers in Lusk.   Her daughter Kelsie (center) is playing the role of the Indian Princess who gets shot by a trigger happy settler later in tonights production.   Holly arranged for Barry and I to attend tonights production as guests.   They, like most of the townspeople of Lusk, have been involved with this annual production for years.


Scenes from the "Legend of Rawhide" in the Lusk Fairgrounds.  This is an elaborate production with .   The opening scene talks about the prairie indians and their life on the plains before the arrival of the White Man.


Indian ponies racing across the stage


Indians Making Camp after a long day of travel


Wagon Trains on the Oregon Trail arrive and make camp (near the indians)


Our Indian Princess (Kelsie Nelson) on stage (Lusk WY).  This is our star in the production, the Indian Princess, who is shot by a trigger happy settler.   The Indians demand the White Settlers turn over the culprit.   The Settlers refuse to do so.   The Indians respond by attacking the covered wagons.   This is a wild scene, shown in the video below.   When it looks hopeless for the setters, the trigger man (Clyde) decides to give himself up to the Indians.   This act of bravery and sacrifice ends the Indian attack and saves the settlers.   Unfortunately, hostilities between Indians and Settlers would worsen over time as the West was gradually settled and the once free Indians would be placed in reservations, so unlike their life on the plains.

The Legend of Rawhide is an annual production that has played continuously since 1946.   This is a great story about our western history put on by a local cast of more than 100 actors, horses, oxen, covered wagons, teepees, waterfalls, etc.   This is worth a drive to Lusk, WY in mid-July just to see.   Barry and I stayed up a little late on Saturday nite, but it was well worth the time.

Tomorrow we are off to South Dakota where we will see the Black Hills,  Mount Rushmore and Crazy Horse monuments.   More Later,

Love to All,

ME