Thanks, I use see through or see in fuel filters on purpose to see what the fuel system is doing. They don't look original, but make diagnosing fuel issues much easier, faster and less smelly.
YNP by Wagon.....from Kansas.
- Thread starter Flinthillsben
- Start date
Drove around 100+ miles today sight seeing around Cody, WY. There are some nice valleys to visit.
Cool rock formation
Rain/snow off towards Yellowstone
Overall a beautiful valley
The star of the show
We stopped to cut some Sage brush.
We stumbled upon a herd of Elk - roughly 45-50
The further we got, the less maintained it got
At some point the rain started an we turned for the hotel, it chased us into town, and eventually the western mountains started to disappear.
Thats all for today.
Back on the road tomorrow.
Cool rock formation
Rain/snow off towards Yellowstone
Overall a beautiful valley
The star of the show
We stopped to cut some Sage brush.
We stumbled upon a herd of Elk - roughly 45-50
The further we got, the less maintained it got
At some point the rain started an we turned for the hotel, it chased us into town, and eventually the western mountains started to disappear.
Thats all for today.
Back on the road tomorrow.
vintagetrk
Well Oiled
I was just in that valley! Good stuff.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Beautiful country, love the pics. We also pick sage when traveling in the high desert. It's the smell of wide open spaces, and there's nothing quite like the smell of it in a summer rain. When my son moved back east for a few years, we would send him a sprig of sage from time to time to put in a jar and savor the smell and the memories it evoked.
I stumbled across this in a museum in Austin, Nevada a few years ago:
I stumbled across this in a museum in Austin, Nevada a few years ago:
By the way, your references to rain and snow reminded me of this in my late dad's picture album from his days as a cowboy in Wyoming; note the date, exactly 70 years ago tomorrow:
I saw Riley Flats on a map somewhere in the last few days. I need to look again.
June 20th - Cody, WY to Douglas, WY
Long day
We rolled out of Cody a little late - roughly 930am. We gassed up at the Sinclair, mailed some postcards and rolled south and east for Thermopolis via a few stops. To doublestart the day off right we hit construction.
After a brief stop we rolled on amd on roughly 75 miles. The terrain was changing all day.
It was a nice drive and temps were good.
At the road for Hamilton Dome we turned west to see the petroglyphs and visit a few family sites.
There was water everywhere and deere in velvet.
When the road turns south for Hamilton Dome you continue west on dirt to the Newspaper Rock. Sometimes the gate is locked and sometimes not. Today it wasn't, otherwise you have to go into Thermopolis for a key and then back. It would be faster to jump the fence and walk....
The petroglyphs stretch along a small canyon wall.
They have a good guide
Plus everything is easy to see.
Today we had the place to ourselves. The camper and building were empty.
Back on the road we headed for Hamilton Dome and Owl Creek.
Hamilton dome has oil and thermal springs. It is an old oil field so some equipment predates our hobby vehicles.
Cool old riveted water tower.
Antelope and Deer are everywhere. Keep an eye out for them and scenery.
Scenery
When My great Grandfather finished building ships during the war, he and the family moved to a ranch on Owl Creek. My Great Grandmother taught at the Indian School.
It sits just south of the Arapaho/Padlock ranch on the border with the Reservation. Becasue she taught there our family had a good relationship with their Indian neighbors - back then I guess that meant something.
The Willys, The Pioneer Plate and the school:
Right around the corner and the first driveway headed north to the Owl Creek was the family Ranch. Nothing special - they got electricity there for the first time ever around 44/45 - while my Great uncle was in Japan.
They raised sheep and my great Grandfather worked wherever on the roads, oil fields, dam projects etc. He worked machinery and did engineering. It was at this house that he bought his first tractor for hay work and gave up horses. No more harness work, wiping down, feeding, etc. Gas, water, oil check and go. All hay could then feed sheep.
Different times.
Quick tire check on the Samsons
They have been great, quiet, grippy, stable. No real air loss. I would recomend them.
After the Ranch we headed in to Thermopolis for the Dinosaur Museum. It is rated as 6th best in the world.
It was awesome.
From there we went south through the Wind River Canyon to Shoshoni.
End part one - more to come shortly.
Long day
We rolled out of Cody a little late - roughly 930am. We gassed up at the Sinclair, mailed some postcards and rolled south and east for Thermopolis via a few stops. To doublestart the day off right we hit construction.
After a brief stop we rolled on amd on roughly 75 miles. The terrain was changing all day.
It was a nice drive and temps were good.
At the road for Hamilton Dome we turned west to see the petroglyphs and visit a few family sites.
There was water everywhere and deere in velvet.
When the road turns south for Hamilton Dome you continue west on dirt to the Newspaper Rock. Sometimes the gate is locked and sometimes not. Today it wasn't, otherwise you have to go into Thermopolis for a key and then back. It would be faster to jump the fence and walk....
The petroglyphs stretch along a small canyon wall.
They have a good guide
Plus everything is easy to see.
Today we had the place to ourselves. The camper and building were empty.
Back on the road we headed for Hamilton Dome and Owl Creek.
Hamilton dome has oil and thermal springs. It is an old oil field so some equipment predates our hobby vehicles.
Cool old riveted water tower.
Antelope and Deer are everywhere. Keep an eye out for them and scenery.
Scenery
When My great Grandfather finished building ships during the war, he and the family moved to a ranch on Owl Creek. My Great Grandmother taught at the Indian School.
It sits just south of the Arapaho/Padlock ranch on the border with the Reservation. Becasue she taught there our family had a good relationship with their Indian neighbors - back then I guess that meant something.
The Willys, The Pioneer Plate and the school:
Right around the corner and the first driveway headed north to the Owl Creek was the family Ranch. Nothing special - they got electricity there for the first time ever around 44/45 - while my Great uncle was in Japan.
They raised sheep and my great Grandfather worked wherever on the roads, oil fields, dam projects etc. He worked machinery and did engineering. It was at this house that he bought his first tractor for hay work and gave up horses. No more harness work, wiping down, feeding, etc. Gas, water, oil check and go. All hay could then feed sheep.
Different times.
Quick tire check on the Samsons
They have been great, quiet, grippy, stable. No real air loss. I would recomend them.
After the Ranch we headed in to Thermopolis for the Dinosaur Museum. It is rated as 6th best in the world.
It was awesome.
From there we went south through the Wind River Canyon to Shoshoni.
End part one - more to come shortly.
June 20th - part 2
From the Wind River Canyon south the terrain continued to change; Red rock, grassland, greyrock etc. Antelope were plentiful and all of it added up to a beautiful drive. The Super Hurricane hummed along and the light whine on the transfer case carried us on our way.
Its around 90+ miles from Shoshoni to Casper the Friendly ghost city, plus the mileage from Thermopolis and this would make for the longest tank of the trip I believe. We motored on.
When I was a kid there was a roadhouse called Hell's Half Acre next to a geological formation called Hell's Half Acre. At least 11 years ago it still stood though empty and run down. Now all that remains is the original geological formation and the roadside sign - which i am glad for - the devil on the sign had a face that always scared me as a kid.
We continued on east and on and on and on. Air freshener in full effect.
Over the shoulder shot:
The mountains south of Casper were coming into view - closer and closer.
We drove through town on old 26 and fueled up at the Sinclair truck stop just down the street from the Sinclair refinery.
We rolled out of town on two lane chasing our shadow.
Soon deer were everywhere. Every few miles we saw 3-4 good Mule deer bucks in velvet. Some were going to be great trophies.
End part 2
From the Wind River Canyon south the terrain continued to change; Red rock, grassland, greyrock etc. Antelope were plentiful and all of it added up to a beautiful drive. The Super Hurricane hummed along and the light whine on the transfer case carried us on our way.
Its around 90+ miles from Shoshoni to Casper the Friendly ghost city, plus the mileage from Thermopolis and this would make for the longest tank of the trip I believe. We motored on.
When I was a kid there was a roadhouse called Hell's Half Acre next to a geological formation called Hell's Half Acre. At least 11 years ago it still stood though empty and run down. Now all that remains is the original geological formation and the roadside sign - which i am glad for - the devil on the sign had a face that always scared me as a kid.
We continued on east and on and on and on. Air freshener in full effect.
Over the shoulder shot:
The mountains south of Casper were coming into view - closer and closer.
We drove through town on old 26 and fueled up at the Sinclair truck stop just down the street from the Sinclair refinery.
We rolled out of town on two lane chasing our shadow.
Soon deer were everywhere. Every few miles we saw 3-4 good Mule deer bucks in velvet. Some were going to be great trophies.
End part 2
June 20 - part 3
As we rolled east the sun was sinking, the four legged guys were popping up along the road everywhere. I got the 5 year olds involved as was gunners in our B29 looking for deer and antelope to shoot. It gave us and them something to do and four extra eyes excited to find animals near the road.
I am not a fan of driving this late - but Douglas was calling.
We arrived in Douglas to the smell of recent rain. Checked in to the only Hotel with vagrency ( vacancy) and got the boys to bed.
315 miles or so today with a few hours of stops along the way. We cheated and at fast food for lunch and cold food for dinner as we went. It was a good day.
More to come.
Mileage check from Thermopolis to Casper was 17mpg. I fill the tank to the cap when we are in drive mode and did this at the start and stop points of the measurement. We cruise at 58mph or so on the speedo - I think in gps land that is around 53-54mph last time I checked some time ago. Plenty fast.
Stay tuned.
As we rolled east the sun was sinking, the four legged guys were popping up along the road everywhere. I got the 5 year olds involved as was gunners in our B29 looking for deer and antelope to shoot. It gave us and them something to do and four extra eyes excited to find animals near the road.
I am not a fan of driving this late - but Douglas was calling.
We arrived in Douglas to the smell of recent rain. Checked in to the only Hotel with vagrency ( vacancy) and got the boys to bed.
315 miles or so today with a few hours of stops along the way. We cheated and at fast food for lunch and cold food for dinner as we went. It was a good day.
More to come.
Mileage check from Thermopolis to Casper was 17mpg. I fill the tank to the cap when we are in drive mode and did this at the start and stop points of the measurement. We cruise at 58mph or so on the speedo - I think in gps land that is around 53-54mph last time I checked some time ago. Plenty fast.
Stay tuned.
Interesting that you mention the Padlock Ranch, that was one my dad worked for.
He also worked at the LU south of Meteetse, and the Two Dot out of Cody. Deer Creek was another. Your grandparents and my dad might have known some of the same people.
He also worked at the LU south of Meteetse, and the Two Dot out of Cody. Deer Creek was another. Your grandparents and my dad might have known some of the same people.
In 48 they would have been about 1.5 to 2 miles away from each other. Small world. They had to have known each other.
June 21st update
Douglas, WY to Kearney, NE
It was a road day. This would be my longest day in the Willys ever let alone for this trip.
Last night when we got to Douglas the town was practically sold out save a few rooms at the Super 8. It was an old hotel with a nice refresh but the bones of the building creaked with almost every step.
We hit Orin Junction for gas and drinks and headed East across the prairie.
System Check:
All in the green.
Shawnee, Wyoming.
Today would be various prairies and sandhills ending in farm country.
Coming into Lusk we stopped for the sign about the last of the wild buffalo
The old wooden water tower for the railroad.
From Lusk with endless prairie to go space madness sets in quick.
and then we hit roadwork...
and a flagman....
At least the scenery is good.
After the construction, we continued east.
We roll on and on to Nebraska, Fort Robinson and Crawford.
A break from the prairie:
The pretty formations near the Fort and Crawford:
Engine room checking in:
OAT:
Main panel:
Oil pressure:
So far - so good. More to come.
Douglas, WY to Kearney, NE
It was a road day. This would be my longest day in the Willys ever let alone for this trip.
Last night when we got to Douglas the town was practically sold out save a few rooms at the Super 8. It was an old hotel with a nice refresh but the bones of the building creaked with almost every step.
We hit Orin Junction for gas and drinks and headed East across the prairie.
System Check:
All in the green.
Shawnee, Wyoming.
Today would be various prairies and sandhills ending in farm country.
Coming into Lusk we stopped for the sign about the last of the wild buffalo
The old wooden water tower for the railroad.
From Lusk with endless prairie to go space madness sets in quick.
and then we hit roadwork...
and a flagman....
At least the scenery is good.
After the construction, we continued east.
We roll on and on to Nebraska, Fort Robinson and Crawford.
A break from the prairie:
The pretty formations near the Fort and Crawford:
Engine room checking in:
OAT:
Main panel:
Oil pressure:
So far - so good. More to come.
June 21st pt 2
After Crawford we zig and zag down towards Alliance, NE. Off to the west I see a crop duster working a field. We pass and continue on. Pretty soon he dlies past us going south.
Far up the road we see him bank into a field and pop up to come back towards the road.
We cross each other finally.
Coming into the Alliance city limits we get behind some unusual traffic.
After Lunch and some fuel we join Hwy 2 to head east and soith east towards Kearney, NE
Along the way I notice old concrete structures - I wonder what they were us3d for?
Space madness returns:
All long drives need a setback, like a time change:
Warmest temp of the day - I think:
Thedford for fuel and a break:
Around the side for some shade and quiet.
Back on the road check:
The cathedral at Anselmo, NE.
We are getting back intonthe Grain belt:
Sunset is coming and our shadow is
Is daying to check the left eye
And the right:
To finish up the sr8ve at night into Kearney, NE
Checked into the hotel, tired and ready for more. Tomorrow is the last day.
443 miles today. The Super Hurricane never missed a beat.
After Crawford we zig and zag down towards Alliance, NE. Off to the west I see a crop duster working a field. We pass and continue on. Pretty soon he dlies past us going south.
Far up the road we see him bank into a field and pop up to come back towards the road.
We cross each other finally.
Coming into the Alliance city limits we get behind some unusual traffic.
After Lunch and some fuel we join Hwy 2 to head east and soith east towards Kearney, NE
Along the way I notice old concrete structures - I wonder what they were us3d for?
Space madness returns:
All long drives need a setback, like a time change:
Warmest temp of the day - I think:
Thedford for fuel and a break:
Around the side for some shade and quiet.
Back on the road check:
The cathedral at Anselmo, NE.
We are getting back intonthe Grain belt:
Sunset is coming and our shadow is
Is daying to check the left eye
And the right:
To finish up the sr8ve at night into Kearney, NE
Checked into the hotel, tired and ready for more. Tomorrow is the last day.
443 miles today. The Super Hurricane never missed a beat.
vintagetrk
Well Oiled
The ruins you talked about were potash mines. The town used to be called Antioch. Welcome to the Sandhills!June 21st pt 2
After Crawford we zig and zag down towards Alliance, NE. Off to the west I see a crop duster working a field. We pass and continue on. Pretty soon he dlies past us going south.
Far up the road we see him bank into a field and pop up to come back towards the road.
We cross each other finally.
Coming into the Alliance city limits we get behind some unusual traffic.
After Lunch and some fuel we join Hwy 2 to head east and soith east towards Kearney, NE
Along the way I notice old concrete structures - I wonder what they were us3d for?
Space madness returns:
All long drives need a setback, like a time change:
Warmest temp of the day - I think:
Thedford for fuel and a break:
Around the side for some shade and quiet.
Back on the road check:
The cathedral at Anselmo, NE.
We are getting back intonthe Grain belt:
Sunset is coming and our shadow is
Is daying to check the left eye
And the right:
To finish up the sr8ve at night into Kearney, NE
Checked into the hotel, tired and ready for more. Tomorrow is the last day.
443 miles today. The Super Hurricane never missed a beat.
Sent from my SM-N950U using Tapatalk
Good to know, Thanks.
I wonder if they were like the ones near Moab? I have done that drive loads of times and always wondered.
I wonder if they were like the ones near Moab? I have done that drive loads of times and always wondered.
Perhaps they did, but he was just a lowly cow hand, and I think the longest he stayed at a ranch was two years. He was young, single, interested in pretty girls and carousing, and he moved around a bit in the four years or so that he did cowboy work.
Ten years ago, a month before he died at 85, we took a little Father's Day weekend trip together, and he told me this story: It was his first day at his first job as a cowboy, and he picked out a horse from his string for the morning round. While his boss and the other cowboys watched from their horses, he climbed aboard and promptly got bucked off. This was repeated several times in quick succession. Finally his boss, old Sam Cramer, said, "Rod, you'd better pick out another horse, that one is learning to buck faster than you're learning to ride."
Loving the pictures and the story of your trip, Ben. Thanks for sharing.
I just did the third lube job of the trip. 3000 miles down 350 or so to go.
Now if I could just get the family going earlier......
Now if I could just get the family going earlier......
Roughly 3,300 miles later we are home. The drive today was pretty uneventful - just burning up the road.
Here are a few pics:
South of Kearney:
South of Minden near Franklin, NE
Kansas map back in the game:
The sign:
Near where the song "Home on the range" was written:
The Flint Hills
City Limits
And finally....
Only issue was the fuel pump which I fixed on the roadside. I will give a breakdown of everything I carried and fluids used etc tomorrow. Time to relax. The wagon wasn't meant for back to back 350+ mile days for three days. Sure you can do it, but.....
Here are a few pics:
South of Kearney:
South of Minden near Franklin, NE
Kansas map back in the game:
The sign:
Near where the song "Home on the range" was written:
The Flint Hills
City Limits
And finally....
Only issue was the fuel pump which I fixed on the roadside. I will give a breakdown of everything I carried and fluids used etc tomorrow. Time to relax. The wagon wasn't meant for back to back 350+ mile days for three days. Sure you can do it, but.....
Last edited:
Ckelley254
Bigger Hammer
Great adventure. I knew the hurricane could do it no problem...for the most part. How fun, and what memories you made for your family.
Thanks! .