Until my recent road trip from Denver to Seattle, I confess the state of Wyoming was not really on my travel radar. Road Trip Wyoming
I knew it was there, of course. I just didn’t know what it had to offer. Having now spent the better part of two much-too-short days road tripping through the southern part of the state in our Ford Transit Connect, the verdict is in… the #OrthAmerica crew LOVES Wyoming.
We drove straight to Wyoming the morning after we flew in to Denver. Our agenda called for a few stops at quirky #unminivan attractions — extra large cowboy boots in Cheyenne, a curious Abraham Lincoln head at a visitor center and the Ames Monument, a pyramid seemingly constructed in the middle of nowhere. It once marked the highest point on the transcontinental railroad at 8,247 feet, and it’s dedicated to the Ames brothers who had much to do with the railroad’s construction back in the 1860s.
The tracks have long since been relocated, so now the pyramid is little more than a lonely monolith out on the plain.
Visiting the Ames Monument, near Laramie, WY
Admittedly, the Ames Monument really isn’t much to write home about.
There wasn’t a soul around when we visited, though I appreciated experiencing an attraction I didn’t have to share with a rabid throng. (Three days before I was at the grand opening of Diagon Alley at the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in Orlando, and the calm couldn’t have been a more welcome contrast.)
Was it a must-see site? Maybe not. But….
… our trip to the pyramid was not wasted time. In fact, it was just the beginning of our adventure.
If we hadn’t left the highway to meander down the gravelly road toward the Ames Monument, we never would’ve experienced the breathtaking thunderheads rolling down the mountains and across the farmland to the south.
If we hadn’t left the beaten path, we’d have missed some of the best memories of our whole road trip.
 RaeRae in the rear view
I have no regrets in my career choices – clearly I love what I do and I’m happy to do it. But if I had it to choose majors all over again, I might like to be a scientist of some sort… likely either a geologist or a meteorologist. Geology is an obvious choice because I’m super excited about plate tectonics and yeah, geology rocks! Road Trip Wyoming
But I’m also mesmerized by severe weather. Maybe growing up in Florida made me a little wacky for tornadoes, hurricanes and lightning? Road Trip Wyoming
As the clouds built and multiplied and began to swirl, I half expected a tornado to wriggle down from the angry-looking cell. I certainly wouldn’t have minded so long as no one got hurt or lost property.
Alex and Rae were ready to get the heck out of Dodge BEFORE the situation escalated to tornadic proportions, but we lingered at the edge of the storm anyway. Road Trip Wyoming
It was too beautiful to drive away.
While the Ames Monument and the swirling storm clouds distracted us from the highway for a little while, our hunger eventually convinced us to hop back in the Ford and head West. As we continued down the road, making our way from Cheyenne through the Snowy Range and up to Rawlins for the night, we stopped a dozen more times to stop and gawk at the weather.Road Trip Wyoming
The storms followed us for the rest of the day and for once, we couldn’t have been happier about it.
Coming up next… our visit to the Snowy Mountain Range! Road Trip Wyoming
I am DEFINITELY going back to experience more of Wyoming when I have time to explore it fully. Have you been? Do you have recommendations? Is the Ames Monument the type of attraction you’d visit?
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Wyoming is such a cool state. I’ve only been to Yellowstone Nat’ Park (which was amazing – if you go, try to drive in or out on Beartooth Highway, which may be the most interesting landscape I’ve ever seen), but there are so many other things I’d like to go back and see, like the Tetons, Jackson Hole, Bighorn Canyon, and Devil’s Tower.
I’d never heard of the Ames Monument and your pictures of the storm are stunning. (I’m also loving your absolutely perfect travel outfits!)
Thanks, Polly! The outfits were carefully coordinated as you can imagine =) Didn’t expect the dramatic weather backdrop though – we were really lucky! Hoping to get back out to Wyoming ASAP to visit all the parks. Didn’t have time this go ’round, but certainly on the bucket list for next time!
i absolutely LOVE storms! The sky looks so scary and amazing… very cool girl!
Thanks, Rachel! It was a little scary as it got closer, so we hightailed it out of there just in time!
I’ve always been fascinated by tornadoes and would love to do a storm chaser tour one day in the States. I doubt there’d be an insurance company to cover me though. Great piece with some inspiring pics – thanks for sharing!
Wouldn’t that be amazing?! My mom would absolutely kill me if I did an official tornado tour… but maybe we just wouldn’t tell her until after.
You have the cutest photo ideas! Looks like a beautiful state. Your road trip has me quite jealous!
Awww, thanks! I find it’s so much easier to take fun photos with travel partners. Totally different traveling with bro & sis, but that’s one of the biggest upsides.
Very cool. We’ve never really considered a visit to Wyoming, but you never know what’s in the cards for us. Love your dark moody photos complete with ominous clouds!
I was so surprised by Wyoming – I think you guys would like it, too!
There is nothing better than watching a storm roll through town! When I lived in Vegas, I LOVED watching them come from the mountains and just dump down on the valley. This sounds like such fun! I have never been to Wyoming, but I have such an obsession with that part of the US. I really want to explore it more.
I didn’t realize Vegas got big storms – that WOULD be awesome to watch!
wow this looks so scary and amazing at the same time! we don’t really get storms like these in England. xx
Wow, that sky is amazing!!! I would have stayed as well. After all, isn’t that part of the adventure. We’ve never been to Wyoming and may now consider it after the beautiful pictures! 🙂
WOW — awesome backdrop for photos! Stunning! Once again, I submit my petition to be included in all future Orth sibling adventures…
Petition granted!
Looks like you had a great time! We have a friend that is a storm chaser. We should introduce you, maybe you could join him I one of his expeditions!
Oooh yes! That would be a dream come true – I’ve always wanted to do that!
Wow, that sky is amazing,Love your moody photos complete with dark clouds,thanks for sharing us.
Lovely!! I grew up in Wyoming up near Yellowstone and now being an East coaster I really miss those wide open spaces and gorgeous clouds…