I do not know why the name but it appears to be where the touristas to Mt. Rushmore stay. What's big and wonderful? Why, Wyoming of course. Saw some deer and antelope. Not playing, rather earnestly eating the abundant grass that is Wyoming and the plains. From Flaming Gorge north to I 80 and Rawlins. To know Rawlins is to know Wyoming. Rawlins is about trains, oil and its decision when offered to be the site of the University of Wyoming or the State Penitentiary it chose, well check a book.
In circa 1978 I was married to Danni who hailed from Rawlins. Upon the death of her step father we went back there to see her mother. Danni and Heather took the train, I drove a small Datsun pick up with 4 on the floor. (important fact) Danni went first and I followed after staying back home to take my contractors exam. I then drove back. When I arrived I was made the gift of a 1960 era Ford 1/2 ton pick-up truck. After spending a few days we left, but not before loading up an upright piano, we apparently just had to have and several thousand glass utility pole insulators. They are very colorful, very heavy, and I was informed, exceedingly valuable. So valuable that someday it would make us rich. We also brought back my young niece.
Into the vehicles we went and navigated to Salt Lake City on a Sunday where my truck (Datsun) broke down. Next day we rented a tow bar and hooked up the Datsun, put it in neutral, and loaded up suitcases on the seats because there was no room in the beds of the trucks, since they were carrying far more valuable cargo. Driving through the barren wasteland with four people in the front seat of the Ford, with no airconditioning we pulled off the road at "Boomtown" Nevada, outside of Reno. Yes David, Boomtown holds important memories for me. While turning on the 360 degree exit the suitcases fell off the seat of the Datsun, pushed the stick shift into first gear and completely eradicated the transmission.
Since it was destroyed anyway, we filled it up with gas, and proceeded to try and drive over the Sierra's. Did I mention it was the dead of summer, very hot, and no air conditioning? Well, the Ford began to overheat, and to alleviate this problem I turned the heater to the truck on to dissipate the engine heat. An old Arizona trick.
Upon arrival to our home in Berkeley, I took the Datsun to the shop and had a new transmission installed. It was expensive to say the least, but to add insult to injury, when I went to pick it up, the Ford blew its engine two blocks from the mechanic. New engine, because, as it turns out, Wyoming and California have radically different beliefs regarding engine emissions.
This is what Rawlins looks like today.
On the bright side. I bought 85 octane gas for 2.65 9/10 today from the Sinclair station.
After leaving Rawlins I headed over to Medicine Bow, WY. You will remember Medicine Bow from the book, movie and TV show, "The Virginian."
From Medicine Bow, I took a detour to Giza, Egypt to take a brief look at the pyramids.
Well tomorrow Rushmore, Crazy Horse, Deadwood, and on the Sheridan and Cody.
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