A Lincoln Monument in Wyoming?

 Saturday, Sunday - July 23-24 - Nebraska and Wyoming

The drive on Saturday and Sunday was filled with extremes--from 101 degree temps on Saturday to 62 on Sunday!  Although the landscape was mostly flat and rolling, we noticed a gradual climb in elevation--from 3300 ft to 8600 ft!  And, we finally entered Wyoming!

We saw a lot of windmills along the way, taking advantage of the gusty winds across the countryside.  Jim had his hands full keeping the motorhome between the lines!

I learned a few things today:

1. The world headquarters for Cabela's (sporting goods store) is in Sidney, Nebraska.  This huge watertower sits next to the biggest Cabela's store I've ever seen, right off I-80.

2. Wyoming has interesting rest stops.   There was a path to an archeological dig at one of the stops.  The dig was closed, so I didn't take the path to see it, but what an interesting place to put an attraction.

3. The idea of a cross-country road came from Carl Fisher, an automobile entrepreneur and one of the principal investors who built the Indianapolis Motor Speedway!   The Lincoln Highway was America's first automobile road across America. The Highway spanned 3389 miles from Times Square to the Golden Gate Bridge, and was named in honor of Abraham Lincoln.  The Lincoln Highway was modified over the years, and evolved into I-80, as the primary coast-to-coast route. We've been travelling I-80, the last two days.   At the highest point along the highway, 8600 ft, there is a 48 ft. tall Lincoln Monument which is pretty impressive!  It was erected to commemorate Lincoln's 150th birthday and marks the high point of the highway.   It sits in a rest area! Who would have thought there'd be a Lincoln monument in Wyoming?

We certainly knew we had hit the highest point when we started down the other side...steep grades...lots of brake lights.   

We arrived at the Rawlins WY KOA in time to watch the NASCAR race.  We are sitting with doors and windows open, enjoying a nice cool breeze and trying to adjust to the time change.  (We went to bed at 7pm last night!)