Getting to Wyoming in July 2006

Five Years Across America: Year 1 - Wyoming & Montana

Series originally published as micro-posts March 2024 -March 2025. Republished as long posts in 2026.

Names have been changed, except for well-known places like states, cities, campgrounds, mass retailers, etc.

5 Years Across America; Introduction - My Plan

​In May 2006, I graduated from the University of South Carolina with a Masters in Library and Information Science. I didn’t want to do the easy thing and get a job close by and establish a life pretty much where I had lived my whole life. I wanted to make an informed decision on where I would live.

To accomplish this, I divided the continental United States into six regions: the Southeast, the Northeast, Central North, Central South, and West Coast. I planned to work seasonal jobs and live for a year in each region, except the Southeast; decide where I liked best; and find a job there. I decided to start in the Central North, go to the West Coast, and work my way back east. 

I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

​*Names of specific employers/companies and people have been changed, except for companies well-known enough that identification would have no impact on their reputation. Names of states and public landmarks are true.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Planning; July 13, 2006

July 31, 2007​

On Friday, I went to a game night at the Nelsons’. It was fun.

I woke up at 4:30 on Monday to leave for a 10-day hitch. We’re working on Timberline Trail No. 12. We are near the trailhead and not backcountry like we thought. They have had bear problems and the sponsor didn’t want to tax resources near the lake.

We have been working downtrail, so each day the hike is a little shorter. We are clearing out water bars and building wood water bars and check dams. 

It rained last evening. It rained this evening with some thunder and lightning.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Planning; July 17, 2006

July 17, 2006​

Mom and Dad were obviously surprised by my announcement, but they didn’t try to talk me out of it. I didn’t think they would, but you never know with parents.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Planning; July 25, 2006

When Mom and I hugged goodnight, I inexplicably burst into tears and cried for 15 minutes. I was so embarrassed and couldn’t figure out how to explain! I saw Dad look into my room and Mom short of shake her head that I was okay. This is supposed to be a fun adventure! Instead, I mostly just wish I had a friend to experience it with.

I worked for 14.5 hours today, getting ready to leave early tomorrow. Well, not early by Dad’s standards. I clearly remember getting up at 3:00 a.m. for road trips when I was growing up. Early for me is before 8:00. 

I wonder if I’ve spent so much time planning logistics and packing that I haven’t had time to reflect and mentally prepare for leaving on such a big adventure? What would that even look like, though?

I could wait a day and leave the day after tomorrow. That could give me time to rest from the long day today. Naw. Now that it’s time to go, it’s time to leave. Leaving tomorrow will give me some wiggle room in my schedule, too.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Kentucky; July 26, 2006

Wednesday, July 26, 2006

​I was on the road by 7:45 and drove until 6:00 p.m. Of course, I stopped for gas and quick breaks, but I was trying to get in as many miles as I could. My goal was to reach Electric* Lake State Park in Kentucky. I made it and set up camp, but it was too late to see why the lake is called “electric.” 

Reception is bad and I need to save minutes on my prepaid phone, but I managed to get a call through to Mom and let her know I’m okay.

Supper was a little lonely. I don’t know why. I’m used to eating alone.

It’s time for bed. I was up at 5:00 and my body thinks it’s after 9:00, although my watch says differently now that I’m in Central Time Zone.

*I miswrote this in my journal. I stayed at Energy Lake Campground.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - St. Louis; July 27, 2006

Thursday, July 27, 2006

I got up at 5:00, ate breakfast, broke camp, and was on the road by 7:45. I drove out of Kentucky, through Illinois, and into Missouri. 

I’m staying at Graham Cave State Park, Site 27. I got here at 5:00, but there was no time to find the cave or explore the park.

At one gas stop, I paid $3.08 per gallon! I’ve never paid that much for gas!

I spent about two hours at the Arch in St. Louis. I felt so uncomfortable driving into and parking in a city. I was scared I parked my car in a bad spot and it would get stolen, but as far as I could tell, that was the lot to park in to visit the Arch. It was $6 for parking. Is paying for parking normal? That’s so much money! 

The Arch was expensive, too - $10. 

It seems appropriate to visit the Gateway to the West when you’re traveling west. 

The tram to the top was cramped and jerky, which made it scary. I did not like it. At the top, the windows were dirty and the view was nothing special. St. Louis is an ugly city.

I’ve blown my budget for the day, but I figure if I’m driving all this way, I might as well see some sights. I’ll have to watch my pennies for the rest of the week.

It’s really raining now. Thankfully, I got the tent up before the drizzle started. Thankfully, it was dry enough that I could make supper and eat. Now I’m stuck under the picnic table. At least it has a cover over it so I can sit here instead of in the tent or in the car.

The campground attendant makes me nervous. I’ll be sleeping with my knife near my hand.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Nebraska; July 28, 2006

Friday, July 28, 2006

When I got up at 5:00, I could see stars through the trees.

Nebraska doesn’t have signs for the state parks until you get off the interstate and drive a ways. I hadn’t printed a MapQuest map and didn’t remember which road to turn on and kept looking for brown signs. I saw plenty for museums and other attractions, but none for the parks. 

When I had passed the cities I knew they were around, I stopped at the next rest area and looked at the atlas. Yep, I’d passed all the parks on my list as possible camping places.

There was a park listed off of the next exit, so I headed that way. I managed to find it, and it would have been a pretty drive through some hills and then about two miles of dirt road, but I was ready to find someplace and stop.

Well, to stay at the park, you need a park permit which can only be gotten in Cozad, but the sign doesn’t say where in Cozad. I went to plan B.

I drove to Cozad and got a motel room. I’m deeply disappointed not to be camping. I wanted to say that I camped my way all the way from NC to WY. Can’t be helped, though.

And now I’m nervous about what will happen in WY tomorrow. I can’t afford to keep staying in motels!

Nebraska seems to be nothing but mostly-flat cornfields. At least Iowa and Missouri had hills and a little variety. 

The Nebraska speed limit is 75 MPH. I guess they figure you’ll want off those long, straight roads as soon as possible.

It’s 8:00 and I’m tired, but I have to wait for the dryer to stop. I figured I’d take advantage of the $0.50 a load.

I have to keep focusing on today, even on just this moment, or I start to feel overwhelmed and lost. I’m worried about finding a place to camp tomorrow. I wish I had internet access to check on permits. I see some campgrounds listed in Medicine Bow National Forest. I have a destination. I have to stop thinking about it now.

I’ve covered so much ground in so little time, all the land seems to run together. I don’t remember much of what I thought on the way.

I don’t feel brave for taking this trip alone. I feel lonely and out of place. I had no idea it would be this bad. Today, I was physically nervous thinking about having to learn a new campground and deal with a new host.

I miss the tall, thick forests of the Carolinas. Maybe I just miss the security of the familiar.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Wyoming; July 29, 2006

Saturday, July 29, 2006

​Today wasn't a bad drive. It was shorter than I expected. 

Even at 12:30, the campgrounds were almost full. That makes me nervous for tomorrow with a longer drive and sunrise not until 6:00-6:30. 

I made friends with a family from Colorado. I asked them about regional cultural differences between this part of the US and the East. It seems like anyone who isn’t me knows those things. They weren’t particularly helpful. They just said that people are people, no matter where you are. I know there have to be differences in how phrases are understood and slang that is used, things like that. I don’t know how else to ask about it, though.

It’s pretty here. Libby Creek runs just down the hill. There are grasshoppers that look like tiny yellow dragonflies. They click when they fly.

The town of Centennial is nearby and has a population of 100. I’ve never seen such a tiny town.

Wyoming is pretty, but it’s odd to see mountains that aren’t covered in trees.

The people in this campground seem to want to take care of me. The Colorado family offered me chicken and rice. I was scared about taking food from strangers and declined. The people with the five nephews offered me a hamburger, but I didn’t take it because I hadn’t really met them. How do you know when people are safe and when they are trying to drug you to kidnap you?

Today has been the best day of the trip, although the afternoon would have dragged if I hadn’t been able to chat with the family from Colorado. I did enjoy a nice nap.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Wyoming; July 29, 2006

Sunday, July 30, 2006

​I started the morning by sleeping in until 6:00. The drive started in beautiful Medicine Bow-Routt National Forest. Later, I went through the Red Desert. The hills have a white strip across them, and the tops of the hills are in interesting shapes. It’s not all sand and there are no cactus that I saw. It looked pretty much like the ranges, except for the hills.

The mountains in Wyoming don’t seem as high as the Smoky Mountains. They seem more foothill size. I’m sure the elevation is higher and some mountaintops have patches of snow, but from the base to the top doesn’t look as far. 

I’m camping at Fremont Lake Campground. This biker came by three times, looking for his side cover. I have no idea what that is, but it’s what he said. According to him, most motorcycles don’t have it. He seems proud of the fact that his does (or did).

The third time by, he said he found it. We chatted a bit like people do in a campground. He looks like he’s in his 40s. Then he asked me if I wanted a ride to see the sunset from the top of some hill.

I said no, thanks.

He said, “Are you sure? I’m a Christian biker, and I have references. I’ve got friends here.” 

I said no again. At that point, I wanted him to leave, but I didn’t know how to stop the conversation.

I sat at the picnic table and started writing again. He chatted a bit and I grunted responses, keeping one eye on him. Eventually he left.

If he hadn’t asked me if I was alone, I might have been friendlier.

My campsite is across the road from the lake. It’s isolated from everyone, but there are two RVs down the road. Maybe this campsite wasn’t the best choice, but I didn’t want to be in the middle of RV Town, and I wanted some shade.

It’s hard to believe this trip is almost over. It seems like it just started.

5 Years Across America; Year 1 - Wyoming; July 31, 2006

Monday, July 31, 2006

​I arrived in Jackson Hole around 11:30 and checked into The Bunkhouse. $25 a night. It’s my first time staying in a hostel. I’m not sure I feel safe sleeping open to strangers, but it’s what I can afford. Plus, isn’t staying in a hostel a sort of rite of passage for 20-something travelers?

Jackson and Jackson Hole look like one town to me. 

Last night, a mother and two fawns ran on the hill above my site. They came quite close, paying no attention to me.

I heard an animal walking in the night. I was so scared it might be a bear, even though I know what bear scat looks like (I think) and I didn’t see any. My brain told me I was hearing deer, but my other brain told me that it was a bear or that biker.

I wish I had a window in my tent. The only way to see outside with the rainfly on is to unzip the front door and go out.

This morning, I saw deer scat. I know it was only deer last night, but my brain still thinks it was a bear. I would never admit that out loud, though.

At The Bunkhouse, this guy who looks like he’s in his 30-40s keeps chatting to me. I probably wouldn’t have talked to him, except he started by helping me find a parking place because he works here. I don’t know how much I can talk to him without giving him the wrong idea. I don’t mind some friendly conversation, but that’s all I want, and men seem to think “hello” means “I want to flirt with you.” Being much older than me doesn’t seem to make a difference. Men are too stressful to chat with.