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