Day 36 (June 30, 2020): Wind River

Visited Hot Springs State Park.

Hot Springs State Park
Hot Springs State Park
Hot Springs State Park – hot water springs draining into the river
Hot Springs State Park – Wind River
Hot Springs State Park – hot water stream
Hot Springs State Park – hot water stream

Did some laundry at the Wishy Washy Washateriain in Thermopolis. After getting abundantly clean, drove down the scenic Wind River Canyon from Thermopolis to Shoshoni, Wyoming. The poverty I saw in Shoshoni was unexpected. There is one gas station, three closed motels and a smattering of trailers and houses along the towns mostly gravel roads. Surprisingly, there was a large new modern school.

Wind River Canyon
Wind River Canyon
Wind River Canyon
Wind River Canyon – Boysen Lake Adam
Wind River Canyon – Boysen Lake

Drove through to Devils Tower National Monument, arriving around sunset. Stayed at the KOA right next to the park. The KOA has a nightly screening of Close Encounters is the Third Kind, which apparently was partially filmed in the park.

Camping at the KOA – view of Devils Tower
Movie Night – Close Encounters of the Third Kind
Original movie poster
Spaceship over Devils Tower