I live in Fort Collins and have family coming to visit. They want to go to WY one day to check off another state on their list. Does anyone have any recommendations for something to see or do?

There are a handful of museums.

http://www.cheyenne.org/things-to-do/

LOL...no one needs to go to WY.

I lived in Casper for three years and never willingly wanted to stay there. Go to the Loves and get a soda. Turn around.

Check!

If they're coming in July then try to time it around Cheyenne Frontier Days. If not, then you should hit up the local museums. If you want more outdoors opportunities then you should head out towards Laramie and Saratoga and do some sightseeing in Medicine Bow National Forest.

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LOL...no one needs to go to WY.

I lived in Casper for three years and never willingly wanted to stay there. Go to the Loves and get a soda. Turn around.

Check!

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Western Wyoming (particularly NW) has some of the most beautiful and rugged landscapes on earth and offers endless outdoor recreation opportunities. Eastern Wyoming with the exception of a few areas is about as interesting as Kansas and Nebraska but it's way colder.

Stay out of Durant, WY, there is a metric crapload of crime there.

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Stay out of Durant, WY, there is a metric crapload of crime there.

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lol - I think they covered about 30 years worth of murder cases halfway through the first season.

Sorry I missed this!

I'm in Laramie and love taking friends to the Wyoming Territorial Prison Historic Site. They have a great display on Butch Cassidy and some interesting stories about other prisoners.

In Cheyenne, touring the State Capitol is quick, but nice. The architecture inside is beautiful, and they have the hall of governors you can browse.

Between the two, you'll find Vedawoo, which is insanely gorgeous. Turtle Rock Trail is a low difficulty, 3 mi loop. You're likely to see chipmunks, beavers, mule deer, prairie dogs, marmots, and more on that walk.

July kicks off the rodeo/festival season. We begin in Laramie with the 4th of July Parade, which leads into Jubilee Days. It's hokie, but awesome with street dances, small rodeos, pancake dinners, and other silly small town stuff. Whatever Saturday falls after the 4th, we have the Laramie Brewfest, drawing breweries from all over Oregon, Idaho, Colorado, Wyoming, and Utah. Then the Wyoming statehood celebrations start up around July 10, and Cheyenne Frontier Days start up on July 22.

Interviewing for a possible job in Sheridan wy on Thursday but it sounds like I've got it. Anything I should know about moving up there (we live in college station right now) before I go? Any help is appreciated.

Sheridan isn't bad, just kinda secluded. Cold winters (I always suggest people coming from south get under armor 4.0 base layers). At minimum, have a front wheel drive vehicle. Summers are great!

If you like fishing, hunting, hiking, outdoors stuff, it's a good area. Check out Tongue River Reservoir just north east in Decker, MT.

For any major shopping, you would likely have to drive up to Billings (roughly 2 hours). It's closer than my drive of 3.5 hours though. (No sales tax in MT)

I live in Montana, not Wyoming, but drive through Sheridan a few times a year.

Thanks for the response. We're excited for the possibility but know it will be a big change. Guess we'll find out on Thursday.

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I live in Montana, not Wyoming, but drive through Sheridan a few times a year.

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My friends in Sheridan often head to Montana (Billings) since that's the closest place for major shopping or an airport.

Mmetag, the biggest misconception I face with my Texas family is point of reference. Wyoming is bigger than many realize. Cheyenne to Sheridan is more or less akin to Galveston to DFW.



histag always has great advice, and I'd recommend taking it over anyone who tells you they've been to [insert anything other than the Big Horn Basin]. Jackson Hole weather isn't like the rest of the state. Laramie weather isn't like other parts of the state (we both tend to run cooler). The mountain effect has a way of distorting patterns as they break over the range. Then there's the widely varying elevations that impact weather, too. Sheridan is at 3700 feet. Laramie is at 7200 feet. Even the difference from Laramie to Cheyenne can be striking despite being so geographically close together.

The University of Wyoming is the *only* public four-year university in the state, but we have seven community colleges spread throughout. With the energy sector hits in the past year, the State of Wyoming isn't doing so well. We have a funny way of approaching the budget up here and have operated in a perpetual boom/bust cycle. State income is very [too] closely connected to the O&G coffers. All funding is being cut and any state-funded agencies are in a hiring freeze.

We technically have one A&M Club for the state. However, there are usually three muster ceremonies (Casper, Cheyenne, & Rock Springs). Most folks in Wyoming cheer for the Rockies & the Broncos. It's a strange relationship we have with Colorado; most Coloradoans I've encountered can't even tell you that Wyoming is the state that borders to the north). Everyone is a Cowboy, and our primary rival is Colorado State (Border War).

Wyoming is a really small town with really long roads.

Thanks for the info. Galveston to Dallas was a good way to wrap my head around it. And I hear you on O&G. The job I'm up for is in natural gas compression so hopefully it's making a comeback. The sales tax tips are great I plan to abuse that when possible. One question I do have for anyone who can answer. The company requires me to purchase a 3/4 ton truck for up there (truck allowance) are there any brands that just seem to operate better up there? Also the age old question diesel or gas? Do I need to just wait till I'm up there to buy so they are more cold equipped? Anything specific I would want/need added in options. Thanks everyone this thread has been awesome.

Lots of Chevrolet and gmc. Buy up here, it will be mandatory for it to have an engine block heater (as opposed to an option). All of our vehicles are gas, and we don't have a problem as long as it is plugged in. Our biggest issue is batteries dying when we have extreme cold, but I'm not sure Sheridan gets as cold as us.

If you get a gmc 2500 hd, and you get a Denali, it has a heated steering wheel. You will need remote start and heated seats if possible.

Thanks for the tip

We were actually going to head to big horn canyon this weekend, but couldn't find lodging. I love that area. Instead, we are headed to Cooney Reservoir between Billings and Red Lodge.

It's crazy how people think the states up here are small and must have the same weather across. When people think Wyoming or Montana, they don't really think northern Plains and farming, they always just think of the western parts.

hist, you might enjoy my rant on FB last week...

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Dear world: Wyoming *is* a state in the United States. We're not in Canada. There's a state between us and Canada, actually. It's called Montana. And by the way, THEY'RE "Big Sky Country," not us. We're "Forever West." We have beautiful parks and wildlife that you love to photograph. When you visit Yellowstone National Park, please stay on the boardwalks. At best, you look like an idiot with no regard for personal safety. At worst, you'll die. And, please, no picking up the wildlife to put in your car, either. This isn't a nature reserve. The animals aren't cared for by rangers. They're wild. W-I-L-D. A bison or a bear *will* kill you. P.S. No, there is no light switch to control Old Faithful.

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mm, you NEED (not want) heated seats. Seriously, game changer up here. Doesn't matter if you're just heading out to work or coming out of the mountains from hiking/hunting/fishing.

I can't speak to Sheridan/Sheridan County real estate, but I can tell you that it's stupid ridiculous in Albany & Teton Counties. I hear Laramie County (Cheyenne) isn't as bad, but close. Livable houses in Laramie often run $200+/square foot for tiny houses (800-1100 square feet) that then require significant updates to appliances, cabinets, flooring, etc. I don't think I'd mind those prices if the properties weren't 20+ years out of date. Wyoming as a state is very much about "local control," and that looks different in different cities. I've been in too many houses in Laramie that were in blatant violation of any building codes I encountered in Texas or Georgia. Wyoming claims to follow/require UBC, but I've even seen violations of that. My favorite was when a friend bought a house two years ago and went to replace a non-working light fixture with a lighted ceiling fan. We pulled the fixture off the ceiling only to find that the wires were stuffed inside a sunflower seed bag (copyright date on the bag was 197X (couldn't read the last number) with a few wire caps screwed on some of the wires. When Mr. Fly went to create a contracting business to do minor remodeling/repairs, we found out that Wyoming really doesn't regulate the building industry. Anyone can form an LLC and claim to be a builder or contractor. Rarely are permits required for work, and even when they are, not everyone plays by the rules. Since the rules or loosely enforced, it's a different kind of "Wild Wild West" out here.

For all that frustrates me about Wyoming, I love it. I'm madly, deeply, and irrevocably in love with this state. It's annoying at times.

Love the rant! Friends always tell me I live in Canada, I constantly have to remind them that while I'm close to it, I'm not in it. People also think Billings is our capitol. I truly wish people knew these states better, because they are beautiful with all the national and state parks.

Building codes are like that here. We even checked if we needed permits to update wiring, plumbing, and knock down walls and move kitchen. We were told "this isn't Houston, we don't have permits". 20 years is a new house! houses here were built prior to 1920, some not updated. At the height of the boom, those 100+ year old houses that are 900 sq feet 2 bed 3/4 bath were going over $100 sq ft. At least that was the asking price, and they would only accept cash.

I find that people moving from down south are always shocked by the housing market and state of the available homes. Also, prepare for an outrageous winter electric bill. We typically run anywhere from $300- $500 a month. These old houses are super inefficient, and there is no competition (at least not here). We just cut the cord, but we're paying $125 for basic internet, and $145 for dish. It's crazy expensive, because there aren't really other options, and they can charge whatever they want.

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Lots of Chevrolet and gmc. Buy up here, it will be mandatory for it to have an engine block heater (as opposed to an option). All of our vehicles are gas, and we don't have a problem as long as it is plugged in. Our biggest issue is batteries dying when we have extreme cold, but I'm not sure Sheridan gets as cold as us.

If you get a gmc 2500 hd, and you get a Denali, it has a heated steering wheel. You will need remote start and heated seats if possible.

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I lived in Sheridan for 4.5 years, 2011-2015, and this whole area of the country has a pretty nasty year-round temperature range. I've seen everything from -30 degrees in a really cold spell all the way to like 105 for a day or two in summer. It goes without saying that the winters are much longer and colder than College Station but it's not Siberia. Only about 3 really cold months to deal with typically.

Sheridan doesn't get as cold as northeast Montana or the Bakken but a block heater is still a must IMO.

Oh yeah, the truck has to be a 4x4. As far as pickups go, no one drives a 2wd rig up here.

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Lots of Chevrolet and gmc.

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I was kinda surprised by this earlier today. So, when Mr. Fly and I were out and about (plus a bonus drive out to Sheep Mountain and back), I had him help me look. In order of frequency on the roads in Albany County:

• Ford
• Dodge
• Chevrolet/Toyota (pretty even split)
• GMC

A lot of people drive Tacomas in this area. If you don't tow or haul very heavy loads, they are outstanding off road and mountain trucks. I drive an 05 model TRD off road and love it for rough terrain and basically anything this area can dish out.

Everyone here says ford's freeze easier in the winters. Don't know if that's accurate or not. We just got rid of a gmc and got a ford, so I guess we will see this winter. Seems everyone here drives Chevy or gmc though. Don't know why

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A lot of people drive Tacomas in this area. If you don't tow or haul very heavy loads, they are outstanding off road and mountain trucks. I drive an 05 model TRD off road and love it for rough terrain and basically anything this area can dish out.

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I was surprised at their popularity up here. A couple of construction companies in Laramie use Tacomas exclusively for their work trucks. Having seen one off road a few months ago, I totally get it. It handled a long windy prairie to mountain dirt "road" far better than Dodge I'd been in previously for that trip.

Thanks for the advice everyone. Had my interview this morning and it went well. Sounds like they are needing to sign a contract with someone before they make offers (hopefully next week). They said i'd have to get a 3/4 ton extended cab 4x4 so thats what i'll be looking for. i've had chevys and fords before. Never had luck with dodge so i'll probably lean chevy. Especially since i have heard that fords freeze easier from others as well (thanks histag).

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I find that people moving from down south are always shocked by the housing market and state of the available homes. Also, prepare for an outrageous winter electric bill. We typically run anywhere from $300- $500 a month. These old houses are super inefficient, and there is no competition (at least not here). We just cut the cord, but we're paying $125 for basic internet, and $145 for dish. It's crazy expensive, because there aren't really other options, and they can charge whatever they want.

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I almost forgot about this part of the conversation. Our house in Laramie was built in 1913. It's cute, but the construction is questionable at best. Wyoming has this pseudo deregulated natural gas program wherein everyone is a SourceGas/Black Hills Energy customer, but you "choose" who to get your gas from. For two years now, we've done the Vista flat rate plan. So, our bill is always $64/mo for unlimited therms (our heat is gas). Electricity is through Rocky Mountain Power, and the bill moves between $25 and $50/month depending on time of year and other activities (stove is electric and I bake more in the fall/winter). Few houses in Laramie have central AC. We don't even have a window unit. So, that keeps electric low. I could see Sheridan having more window units at the very least. We just don't hit 90 until August or so and only for a week or two.

We cut the cord years ago, and have a Roku. We're lucky. It's $35/mo for CenturyLink and get around 10MB consistently. I have a friend who lives about 2 miles northeast of me, and they can only get the 3MB service (roughly the same price). The infrastructure just isn't there in Wyoming. Optimum/Charter recently moved in to southern Wyoming, but the rates and speeds just aren't what (I think) they should be.

We have already hit 100 this summer.

We had centurylink and we're paying 125 for 10mbps. that really makes me sad now.

The highest CenturyLink has tried to charge me is $60. I call every six months to make sure it stays down around $40 (threaten to jump to Charter).

Sheridan gets pretty hot for Wyoming. The town sits in a low valley at around 3700 feet like someone mentioned earlier. Some homes have lots of trees shading them but you will at least want a couple of window units. Most older homes do not have central air which was a surprise coming from Texas.

Thanks for the continued tips. We've spent a decent amount of time in Colorado so we're going in prepared for no AC or adding one being necessary. Also driven a little on snow and ice. Any thing anyone can tell me about necessary things to do to prep for winter to your house /cars that would be great please and thank you.

Most houses will be prepped for winter, or need no additional prepping. As long astory the vehicle is purchased up here or with an engine block heater, it will be fine. You will need an extension cord to plug it in.

I know I'll be buying myself a new truck up there but my wife wants to kee her minivan. Is a minivan a bad idea up there?

Does it have front wheel drive? If not, she may get stuck in parking spots in the winter. No joke, rear wheel drive only simply doesn't work here. You literally will get stuck in parking spaces and be able to get out. If she is very well versed in driving in snow and ice conditions in it, it may work for her.

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Does it have front wheel drive? If not, she may get stuck in parking spots in the winter. No joke, rear wheel drive only simply doesn't work here. You literally will get stuck in parking spaces and be able to get out. If she is very well versed in driving in snow and ice conditions in it, it may work for her.

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Or get stuck in that drainage dip as you're exiting a parking lot. Or slip on the ice as you turn the corner on a street. Or...

Seriously. We only had a Pontiac Vibe when we got up here, and it was fine-ish. My first winter, I turned a corner and went ice surfing...right into not one, but two cars (clipped the front bumper of one and rear of the car in front of it). Thankfully there was minimal damage to them and neither responded to the note I left on the windshields. Our car, on the other hand, had a busted headlight. Last winter, we were leaving the movie theater in Laramie and some jackwagon cut us off, forcing us to stop in the gutter of the exit. Yep, spinning spinning spinning. Before one of us could get out to push, two guys walking past gave us a good push.

We finally got a second car back in March, used Subaru Forester with AWD and heated seats. I love that car so much. Even when its not winter. I'm not sure I can ever give up AWD, it's fun to take some of those Wyoming highway corners at 80 with full control!

The type of vehicle doesn't matter nearly as much as that. I have plenty of friends and colleagues with minivans.

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Thanks for the continued tips. We've spent a decent amount of time in Colorado so we're going in prepared for no AC or adding one being necessary. Also driven a little on snow and ice. Any thing anyone can tell me about necessary things to do to prep for winter to your house /cars that would be great please and thank you.

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Houses are pretty well set-up for winter. Just make sure you check all of your water lines mostly for any exposure. If you've got an in-ground sprinkler system then you'll want to blow it out around October. Interior water pipes and drains that sit on outside walls also need some attention and you'll want to make sure they're either insulated or have adequate heat getting to them. I use a little ceramic space heater under my kitchen sink when it gets below 0.

Summer cooling isn't too much of a big deal, but it can get a little warm up there in Sheridan. What's nice about this part of the country is being able to open up your windows at night and get some free cooling. It can be 90 during the day, but I can cool my house down to around 60-64 at night by just opening up a few windows. I keep my AC set on 75 during the afternoon and it barely has to kick on since the house starts off so cool in the mornings.

Vehicles aren't so much trouble so long as you drive them regularly. Block heaters are nice especially if you have one that doesn't get driven often. My personal truck sits idle at least a few days a week and it won't fit in my garage so it's exposed quite a bit in the winter which isn't good for the oil or oil filter. My filter had to be replaced after only 1,000 miles due to cold starts with highly viscous oil. My work truck also sit outside, but I've never once had any issues with cranking or malfunctions as it gets driven most days. If you get a diesel, then make sure you have some fuel additive to prevent gelling during extreme cold.

I work in O&G and our field trucks are almost an even split between GM and Ford. I'd take GM any day. We've had far fewer headaches with them in this particular climate. There are also more options available to get them serviced. All terrain tires are pretty much a must have for your truck. Michelin, BFG, Cooper, Toyo, and Nitto all make good ones (I'm partial to BFG). The mini-van should be fine also and you can potentially look into a second set of snow tires for it.

Give yourself plenty of buffer when traveling during the winter. WY has limited resources for clearing snow/ice and the focus is always on the major interstates. It's not uncommon for roads to be closed for days at a time. The snow is mostly dry but visibility is what gets most people in trouble due to all of the wind. I check this website http://www.wyoroad.info/ before going anywhere in the winter. FWIW I think at least 80-90% of the wrecks I saw on I-80 this winter had cars with either CO or UT plates. There are some terrible drivers in those states. Yet they think they're better than you while passing you on a sheet of ice going 85mph.

Yes! Slow and steady is the way to drive in the winter. If you notice yourself starting to pass people like crazy, slow down. Up hete, if you pass people and are driving fast, then slide into the ditch, they won't stop and help because they think you kind of deserved it. If you are driving slow, they will usually stop and help pull you out.

TommyGun, where are you located up here? My husband is in O&G up here too.