9/17/14- Day 3

/

We had another long day, a total of 400 miles.  Yesterday we figured out where the transmission fluid leak was, with the help of Bollers Auto Repair.  We checked the fluid level numerous times today and it was always at the proper level.  The T-bird is getting dirty and that won't do.  This morning we were washing the car in the bike wash area when a gentleman stopped by.   He is diabetic and said he was impressed with what we were doing for JDRF.   He went to his room for his video camera and not only interviewed us so he could put it on u-tube, but he also made a donation. We have met a number of people on this trip who have diabetes or know someone who does.  It doesn't seem to be that rare at all. 

The wildlife was abundant where we traveled today.  We saw antelope as large as white tailed deer, not like their skinnier cousins we see in eastern Oregon.  There were lots of deer.  We saw a coyote, and many birds of pray.  We also saw several coal train.  I counted 129 coal cars on one train we saw.  That's not including the 3 pulling and one pushing locomotives seen on the highway  passes between the Gillette coal processing plant and the mine.  They were busy digging coal and a covered conveyer took it under the freeway to the plant.  Past the plant the rail yard was 3 or 4 tracks deep with empty coal cars about 3/4 of a mile in length.

We also stopped by Little Big Horn Monument, listened to an informative talk about the battle and what lead up to the fateful conclusion. If Custer had had a cell phone, his back-up could have called to say they were going to be late.  Custer could have left then and history would have been different. 

 

As we were leaving the park a gentleman stopped and asked what JDRF was.  He and his wife are from France and are vacationing with friends from Napa Valley, CA.  We explained what we are doing and he noted that he had a friend in Belgium that has type one diabetes.  He also made a donation.  That's twice in one day!

We are staying in Hulett WY, pop 383, tonight. we went to dinner at a the only place in town that is open. While we were there the waitress locked the door so no one else could get in until she got caught up. After she served us our food, she unlocked the door again.  it must happen often enough that everyone knows what to do.  A couple of locals stopped by but came back later and went in the bar. 

Tomorrow we will be spending some time checking out the sights in this area, including Devil's Tower that we passed on our way here.  What the heck is that thing, anyway?