| The Rocky Mountains spectacular mountain scenery, | | | | forest alongside a gently flowing stream. Back to |
| pristine national parks, fascinating old gold mining towns, | | | | Wyoming and beyond Drive back to Wyoming, |
| and authentic wild-west re-creations attract millions of | | | | northwest to Sheridan (235 miles), where a stay at the |
| visitors to the region every year. The Rockies stretch | | | | Ranch at Ucross, Clearmont, (about 30 miles south of |
| from Canada to New Mexico (more than 3,000 miles) | | | | Sheridan) features delicious home cooking, and a sing |
| and are perfect for touring, especially during the | | | | along in the evening around the piano. It's a great way |
| summer months, when the temperature (during the | | | | to get the feel of this ranching area, set between the |
| day) averages a very comfortable 70-80 degrees F. It | | | | plains to the east and the Big Horn Mountains to the |
| gets very cold here in winter, so plan your drive for the | | | | west. Start out early and head due west, for the |
| warmer months, when roads are sure to be open and | | | | 240-mile trip to Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming. |
| the attractions are at their best. If you're an | | | | The area is known for its scenic beauty, wildlife, and |
| independent traveler that enjoys touring by car, here's | | | | geothermal activity - two-thirds of the world's geysers |
| an itinerary that includes some of the regional highlights. | | | | are located in the park! Be sure to book your |
| Travel time is about two weeks and the total distance | | | | accommodation well ahead and stay for at least two |
| about 1500 miles. Be sure to take your rain gear and | | | | nights. And watch out for the bears! The next leg of |
| of course your camera. On your first day, take a good | | | | your journey is a short drive (80 miles) to the |
| look around Denver - especially the lower downtown | | | | magnificent Grand Teton National Park, with its |
| area, with its trendy shops, restaurants and galleries. If | | | | dramatic, jagged mountains, pristine lakes, and glaciers. |
| you've still got time, the Denver Museum of Nature and | | | | Here there's plenty of outdoor activity - boating and |
| Science is worth a visit. Next day, head for Cheyenne, | | | | fishing, hiking, climbing and horseback riding - so plan on |
| just 102 miles to the north. An interesting place to stay | | | | staying for at least a couple of days. For |
| is the Nagle Warren B&B (an 1880s cattleman's | | | | accommodation, you might try the Painted Buffalo in |
| mansion). Be sure to visit the famous Cheyenne | | | | Jackson - a very trendy, friendly town. Start off early |
| Frontier Days Old West Museum, to have a look at | | | | and you'll get to Steamboat Springs for lunch (385 |
| their western art exhibitions. Every July, the town | | | | miles). Along the Victorian boardwalk you'll find many |
| celebrates Frontier Days, complete with parade, rodeo | | | | western-style restaurants where you can sample the |
| and many wild-west themed events. There's lots to | | | | renown Rocky Mountain oysters (bull testicles). In the |
| see in South Dakota, so make an early start and head | | | | afternoon, take a look through the antique shops or try |
| for Custer State Park, about 264 miles to the | | | | a relaxing tube cruise down the Tampa River. Then |
| northeast. Plan to stay at least a couple of nights. The | | | | early next morning, before the 3-hour drive back to |
| park, located in the Black Hills, has 71,000 acres of | | | | Denver, go for a hot air balloon ride - the perfect finish |
| spectacular terrain, terrific fishing, jeep tours to see the | | | | to a most memorable trip. |
| bison herds, and panoramic hiking trails. You can stay | | | | Rod Ritchie, a travel writer and editor, writes for many |
| at the State Game Lodge, or pitch your tent in a pine | | | | publishers including AA Publishing and Fodors. |