Wyoming gave us quite a greeting: the weather was changing every five minutes. Winds, dust, rain, clouds, sun, hot, cold, and repeat. And mix-it-up, repeat. I really got to know Cheyenne well as I raced from one end of town to another — just missing the sun, waiting & then getting one of two shots in before it would start raining. It was just crazy and time-consuming. But I’m glad I stuck around and got things done right. I have about a week to do my Wyoming list which doesn’t seem all that thick compared to the one from Colorado. But I’m sure there will be traffic, weather, mountains, & distances that will get in the way.
The day started with finishing up in Colorado. There, it was pretty miserable and grey. But I had no time to wait it out — just had to shoot what I could with the weather I had and will have to make it up one day with sunny shots.
Let’s start with some stuff from Greeley, CO where the day began:
This one was lit last night — but I shamefully did not shoot it. A beautiful turquoise. I was just. so. tired:
The store below this sign is now unrelated. I assume the sign advertised for a photography studio:
This used car lot has a variation of the “bulb stick” — the red angled metal projects towards the street — now mostly holes where the bulbs would have been:
Now on to Wyoming — starting with Pine Bluffs:
I always visit this abandoned truck stop when I’m there. Nothing has changed in forever. The Valentine diner (not shown) is still there — quite a mess inside.
Today was a good day to stop at this place: Mel Gould’s Buryville in Cheyenne. All the whirlagigs were spinning like mad in the wind. More about this place here:
http://detourarttravels.blogspot.com/2009/09/mel-goulds-buryville-in-cheyenne-wy.html
I know I posted a hellish map the other night from Denver. For contrast, here’s a much more manageable one for Cheyenne. I’m happy to be in smaller cities for a while. Must remember to schedule bigger cities first if I have a choice efficiently so that I have the energy for them. Better to taper down the insanity as the trip progresses:
On to Cheyenne. An interesting building — looks like maybe a restaurant before it was a liquor store? Strange alignment of the roof with the walls — I suspect a lot of altering took place:
Another oddball — with nicely done faux castle paint job:
From Wyoming Adventure Mini Golf — a simulation of Devil’s Tower National Monument:
And a whole bunch of fun signs from Cheyenne:
A former drive-in restaurant — still there on a used car dealer’s lot:
At a closed liquor store —
Now a fireworks stand on the lot. I don’t know the original business for this lightning bolt sign:
Sorry to see that a lot of the neon for the Lincoln Popcorn Palace (yes, it’s official icky name) was not working. Maybe there was a recent hail storm or something:
OK — westward at the crack of dawn in the morning — on to more southern Wyoming. The forecast is for all day sun. We’ve still got 15 more days left on this journey. The dogs and I have settled into a groove now. But 15 days will certainly be enough!
Great photos! I love the “color portraits” sign. Have a great time exploring Wyoming!
Thanks! Loving it already. I’ve been here before but mostly only big cities. Like Colorado, there will be tons of tiny towns that I’ve never been to before this trip.
the side sign on Bratton’s is pretty freaking spectacular. love it!
Why didn’t I shoot it? Damn! Hate that.
i love the outsider/eccentric garden/yards out there..thank you for posting them on blog and on your website….great resource!
You’re welcome. There are lots of other sites that focus on outsider art & such — but I like to throw them in now and then.