4.16.2011

Fossil Butt Adventure

"What should we do today"
"Um I don't know, wanna go to Wyoming?"

And with that, we set off on our adventure. Now, Wyoming - particularly Evanston which is right on the border, and like all good border towns, sells all of a deprived state's vices like firework liquor store combos at an alarming rate.  However, like many, beyond the instant infatuation with explosions there is little else to do, and the seediness of strip clubs quickly seeps in.  So we kept driving through with no plans at all; that is until we passed a sign stating that Fossil Butte National Monument was up ahead. Now, it wasn't really that we were interested in Fossil Butte, but it was as good a destination as any.  Before we knew it we were heading off of the highway onto a two lane road heading 50 miles north.

Along the way we passed Skull Point Road, and the absurdity of the name itself was enough for us to turn onto the small dirt road. This is where we found the abandoned train in the pictures above, and let me tell you, I never in my life would have thought that train cars were actually that big! I actually needed a boost to get into the box car.  Did I mention that it was WINDY!!! I mean, hold my hat, steady my steps, try not to blow over windy. After a short exploration for my bf to find hobo graffiti, we were on our way.

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As we were approaching our destination another hokey tourist trap caught our eye. The J.C. Penny Mother Store and Museum was coming up in two miles. Um what? We're in the middle of BFE and they claim to have the world's first JC Penney? That's just too weird not to witness so we pulled off and headed towards a little gem of a town named Kemmerer/Diamondville. And sure enough, the first JC Penney store was located in this obscure town known to the rest of the world as the Fish Fossil capital of the world, and that is a direct quote from the old timer at the Antique/Fish Fossil store we wandered into. (I was very skeptical and actually looked this JC Penney claim up on wikipedia and sure enough:

James Cash Penney began his career in retail management when he opened The JCP Store, a partnership with Guy Johnson and Thomas Callahan, in 1902 in Kemmerer, Wyoming

They weren't kidding! I do have to say Kemmerer had the most amazing old timey signs scattered throughout the town.
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Our next destination was the allusive Fossil Butte National Monument!!! I was so hyped up on this weird national treasure that when we happened upon it my heart dropped. This stupid wooden sign is it. Seriously? Why would you even bother to advertise this piece of junk on the highway??

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Afterwards, we turned back and headed for home.  Apparently, 4:30pm is the time where deer come out to play - as we saw around 20 different herds along the roadside.  This was good, because we were both getting distraught that we saw 13 dead dear along the road in under 1 mile (I hate that part of rural roads).  The rest of the drive graced us with Utah's famous red rock formations, sheep and sore throats from laughing at our very mature pronunciations of Fossil Butte and Kemmerer (Fossil Butt and Kemmer-er-er-er).

All in all, today was a good day, and a fine example of living on a whim with a dash of care-free abandon.  Hope that you're all having a great weekend.

43 comments:

eliza said...

I love making plans on a whim. They always end up being the best days, don't they?

Lovely photos, it looks like you had a fantastic time!

xx

Annalise said...

Gorgeous photos of you with the box trains. I love photoshoot adventures. Sounds like it was a lovely day for you guys too. I'm glad you didn't get blown away!
XOXO

maggeygrace said...

Waitwaitwaitwaitwait!!!!!!!

Where on earth do you live?????

My family lives in Rock Springs and we venture through Wyoming every single summer. It has a heartfelt deep sentimental value to me! Not Evanston...in particular, but still.
Aw, these pictures make me miss Wyoming way too much. I'm so jealous!!!!

Virginia said...

Wyoming is so open it looks like endless land. I love the red coat.

Jo - Lost in the Haze said...

What a wonderful trip! I love how you posted so many photos! Also, your clothes are gorgeous - I love the navy dress and the red coat!

x
www.lostinthehaze.com

Aubrey and Melissa said...

Well that title was way too intriguing not to read everything! Sounds like an amazing/entertaining day, spontaneous trips are the best. You also look awesome here, great outfit.

Libby said...

It looks like you had such a fun day! That's so cool that you went to the J. C. Penny "mother store!"

Michelle's Style File said...

Love this post! Great pics : )

x
Michelle
www.michellesstylefile.blogspot.com

Butterfly Free said...

I love tiny towns. Photos are awesome!

out of order said...

looks like a fun adventure! your dress is so great <3

fashioneggpplant said...

i love spontaneous adventures. those box cars like humongous! love your outfit :)

Susanne said...

lovely photos!

mispapelicos said...

Thank you for the trip!!!
XXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Our Youth said...

LOVELY.

Unknown said...

amazing pictures, lovely look

http://elenavasilieva.blogspot.com/
x

Eve said...

OMG, sounds like a hell of trip!

I guess, they're not advertising the stupid wooden sign, but the actual butte...but either way, not worth it, I'm guessing :P

Love your dress by the way!

Sophia said...

I love these photos!!! The train picture is like out of some old western. Amazing!! <3

skiepies.blogspot.com/

Anaivilo said...

That really sounds like a nice trip! I need to go out of the city like that too :D The pictures with the train are lovely, and yes they are huge! Gorgeous dress you have ;)

amalie said...

looks great! i love your coat! x
xx

LittleMissLee said...

photos are amazing, looks like fund and what a great find

http://blogoftheprettythings.blogspot.com/

xxx

Megan said...

Beautiful pictures!! Sounds like a great adventure and it has me wondering...why is it that your first glimpse into many obscure cities is a strip club of sorts? Me and my friend ventured up to New Hampshire the other day on a hunt for a bead store and as soon as we got off the highway we saw the sign for live fully nude girls and it continued as we continued further. As if they feel the best way to get into a tourist's pocket is to show off the local goods?? Don't know but for two traveling chicks it was somewhat uncomfortable...lol

girl and bird said...

looks like an awesome day! and those trains make me so nostalgic for reading on the road...lovely!

Annah xx

girlandbird.blogspot.com

The Fancy Teacup said...

My family and I loved (and still do) visiting National Parks and Monuments. We've been to several in Wyoming, but not the Fossil Butte one, which sounded kind of disappointing. But usually monuments (not parks) are just one historical thing to look at and that's about it.

I'm glad you had such a fun spontaneous weekend though! The pictures of you in the trains are so cute, and that's so cool about the original JCPenneys!

www.TheFancyTeacup.com
much love.

Emma said...

The settings looks so cool! Like your dress!

x Emma

Rene Braun said...

Cute photos!!!

WWW.RENEBRAUN.COM

Kisses!

Nicky said...

Wow- these shots are gorgeous! Love the train and old town :D

YinGSaran said...

great photos
love it

http://yingsaranporn.blogspot.com/

Federica Delprino said...

I love your look, and the photos are amazing :)

http://fehmoda.blogspot.com/

LoveCharlesVintage said...

I adore these photos!

Nico said...

absolutely lovee these pics. you are too cute!

Anonymous said...

great pictures! love them!
1915 xavier del cerro vintage

Anonymous said...

Lovely outfit darling!
Great blog...


Ps i would like to invite you to my first giveaway

x
Deni

Bonsai said...

Looks like an amazing, spontaneous trip. Awesome outfit too!

http://bonsaiinabugsworld.blogspot.com/

Ella said...

this looks like such a fun little adventure!
i'd love to do something like this,
go on an unplanned trip and have a fantastic time.

Elle said...

The photos are breathtaking! So incredibly gorgeous.

Fast Food & Fast Fashion

RYAN said...

I love the shoot ! The tiny towns are tiny but very incredibles :)

Emma said...

My God, I never would have guessed they'd be that big either! That train is just massive, and it looks just like the ones you see in films. I'm jealous!

x

Carrie said...

Wow I love all your pictures! So glad I found your blog, I love it too!
XO Carrie
www.carriefabulous.com

Virginie's Cinema said...

Who knew Wyoming was so beautiful! What a great adventure, thanks fo sharing!

Virginie

V said...

Lovely post, and also nice seeing a more personal side of you! :)

Unknown said...

these pictures are so retro, i love how old everything looks! and love your jacket!

<3 steffy
Steffys Pros and Cons

Ginta said...

Yippy, road trip! :) Those railroad photos are amazing!

Émilie said...

BEAUTIFUL PICTURES! Elles sont super bien modifiés, j'adore le processing que tu as utilisé, et les couleurs sont belles :) Beau blog!