WLM | my Wyoming craving
Mormon Handcart Historic Site, Elk
Mountain Museum, Hanna Basin
Museum and Fort Fred Steele State
Historic Site … and if you go over
the Snowies into Centennial, be sure
to check out the Nici Self Museum!
Rooodeooo! That’s how my kids
always like to say it, anyway. We
love a local rodeo -- you can feel
the breeze shift around you as the
animals go whizzing by. There are
many fun festivals in the summer
in Carbon County that include a
delightful rodeo as part of the fun.
Woodchoppers Jamboree & Rodeo
in Encampment (June 15-16) is a
hoot to watch as loggers compete
for the title of Rocky Mountain
Champion Lumberjack. Sponsored
by the Encampment-Riverside
Lions Club, a rodeo is just a part of
the high intensity event. The Platte
River Rodeo Association Rodeo
(June 28-29) is a two day, amateur
event for the whole family with low
entry rates, held at the Buck Springs
Rodeo Arena in Saratoga. The Little
Snake River (Lions Club CPRA/
WRA) Rodeo (June 29-30), held in
Dixon, is a fun event that includes
a rodeo dance after the festivities
on Saturday night. The WRCA
Ranch Rodeo in Encampment (July
27) is unique as working cowboys
are those invited to participate
– they must prove they are a
current “working cowboy,” and the
winners are automatically entered
in the WRCA Finals in Amarillo
in November. WRCA = Working
Ranch Cowboy Association – pretty
cool if you ask me! The Saratoga
Bullfest (August 23-24) brings the
action of bull riding to Saratoga,
and the Carbon County Fair &
Rodeo (August 2-10) is every bit as
awesome as it sounds. You might
just start saying it like my kids –
“Tonight’s the rooooodeoooo….”
Yummers… With all this adventure,
you’re going to get hungry. Carbon
County is all about locally-owned,
hometown cooking, and it’s diverse
and delicious. You can start your
day with a stick-to-your-ribs
breakfast to get you through the
hike or a yummy latte to kick
start your morning. Lunch can be
anywhere from a hearty burger to
famous Mexican and Asian options
that locals frequent regularly. Ice
cream for the family after a long
afternoon on the trail? Absolutely.
Want fine-dining in the evening?
Check. Want to explore whiskey or
settle into a cozy chair with a locally
brewed beer? You betcha. Local
Photo courtesy of Carbon County Vistor Council
16
Wyoming Lifestyle Magazine | Summer 2019