I’m back! I had a wonderful weekend with family (thank you for asking), but I’m glad to be back on the road.
I flew back into Denver last night, then started my push into Wyoming, which I finished this morning. My route today took me along Wyoming’s southern edge, starting in Laramie. I filled up my water jug at the University of Wyoming and downloaded an album on which one of my college professors had worked, Considering Matthew Shepard.The oratorio is about the murder of the titular Wyoming student, which was an anti-gay hate crime, and especially about the aftermath. It’s important that the story is told, so I’ll plug it here, but the album is just alright. It suffers from the same issues that many oratorios have: its text is occasionally uninspired and it outstays its welcome. The blend of genres is also a bit too White Album for a cohesive work (in my opinion). I’ve heard good things about The Laramie Project, a play about the same event.
I swung by Green River to check out a publicly-sanctioned spaceport (no typo—the town was concerned about refugees from Jupiter). Wyoming has been geographically interesting throughout, but the county roads here are almost alien. Strangely formed buttes spring out of the ground haphazardly; sagebrush fills the beige hills, giving the appearance that I am driving on colossal everything bagels; the proximity to the clouds causes them to appear stretched and flat. The spaceport itself is, sadly, just a public landing strip at the moment. Hopefully more funds are incoming.
I’m finding a place to camp on federal land tonight, then continuing north, where I plan to spend a considerable amount of time among some of the most well-regarded natural areas in the country.
Considering Matthew Shepard is a very interesting work in that some of the work is classical, while some have a solid pop background. I’m glad to see you’re doing well! Cant wait to hear more fun stories in person. I miss you.
Glad you had a wonderful weekend with family. So did I!! Occasionally the radio station I listen to in the car plays a selection from the oratorio. I’ve never heard it all the way through. How unusual that the people of Green River believe they need a spaceport. I kind of hope they really don’t. I know you will enjoy exploring the sights further north in Wyoming. I wonder how much time you will be able to spend there. When Jeff and I were at Yellowstone in September years ago we woke up one morning to frost on the car. Can’t wait to see your pictures. Love, Grandma