The Old West Museum
Very interesting museum of Cheyenne Pioneer Days and some history of Cheyenne and surrounding area. The museum is on the grounds of the Frontier Days Rodeo, since 1897, the world's largest outdoor rodeo and western celebration, called "the grandaddy of them all". The rodeo lasts 10 days in July and is the largest event in the state. The museum is the prominent restorer of all the different styles of buggy's/ carriages and stage coaches made in the years before the automobile.
An original "chuckwagon" raced in the Frontier Rodeo.
First library on wheels
Terry Bison Ranch and Resort
A very interesting working ranch with a small zoo with camels, a Yak, Ostriches, burros, mustang horses and principally Bison (Buffalo). It is the third largest herd of bison in the nation. They aren't sure how many bison they have since the bull stays in the same field as the heifers and there is no control on the breeding and birthing. The ranch was once owned by Senator F.E. Warren and it was originally 300,000 acres but was now only 27,500. The land spills over into Colorado. The current owner is an 80 year old who takes a daily interest in the zoo, ranch, restaurant, trading post and camp. We saw a beautiful home on the hill overlooking the main portion of the ranch and we assumed that was where he lived.
"Dusty" Probert (misspelled last name-sorry!), our train engineer and guide was a pleasant, extremely knowledgeable and giving individual. We were given the ride an hour ahead of time When I first saw him I thought- WOW, a real Wyoming Cowboy. His appearance was of a rancher. He wore boots extending almost to his knees inside a pair of rubber boots, he had on at least three
shirts/coats to ward off the cold and a western hat. He was slender in body statue and his face was rugged and weather worn.
Nita and "Cowboy Joe"
Nita," Dusty" and Jesse
During the train ride, Dusty gave us the history of the ranch from years ago until now as well as showed us the zoo, mustang horse corral and the bison ranch. He fed a few of the bison from the open door of the train and then gave the feed bucket to Nita to fed a few .We saw a recently born (less than an hour old ) new calf being nudged by mom and given it's first feeding . Her placenta hadn't even fell off yet.
Senator's Steakhouse & Brass Buffalo Saloon
We dined on Bison Short Ribs that just melted in your mouth. NO, we didn't have bull nuts as an appetizer. Dusty joined us during dinner and we had a very good, pleasant conversation about his and our family and his/our histories. Boy, to have lived a life like his. He is very active on the ranch but he also has his own business with his sons. They capture, train and show mustang horses. He is a descendant of "Tom Horn" and wore a necklace made with an arrowhead that was removed from Tom's back as a result of being impaled by an Indian The necklace and four beads were made from a bison: Sinew, three turquoises (blue/aqua ) beads (one for each son) along with two long brown beads (him & wife). The restaurant was named after Senator Warren and has a history of Theodore Roosevelt visiting during his term as President of the USA.
As we were leaving we saw our first Jack Rabbit. Pictures did't come out too good as he was mostly invisible.
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