REGIONS Park to Park WY Not? Find the Perfect Park to Park Experience for You PICK UP SPECIAL SWEETS Tim Kellogg, a saddle bronc rider and cowboy turned chocolatier, makes all of the artisan confections at Meeteetse Chocolatier from scratch daily. Choose from exquisite truffle flavors like prickly pear cactus, huckleberry, champagne and Wyoming Whiskey, as well as an array of other tempting treats. BAG THE BIG ONE The Bighorn River near Thermopolis is revered for its population of sizable rainbow, brown and cutthroat trout. Early spring and late fall are the best times to drop a line in the waterway. Connect with a local outfitter like Wyoming Adventures or Owl Creek Flies to boost your chances of reeling in the ultimate catch. DIG FOR PREHISTORIC CREATURES The Paleon Museum in Glenrock hosts Day Digs and weeklong Paleo-Discovery Digs, which give visitors the opportunity to hunt for real fossils and learn how to clean and preserve specimens. Participants have discovered everything from shark and crocodile teeth to Triceratops bones. GLIDE DOWN WATERSLIDES CHOW DOWN ON WYOMING’S BEST CHILI WALK IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PIONEERS Fort Caspar Museum in Casper is a reconstructed 1865 military post located near several historic emigrant routes, including the Oregon and Mormon Pioneer trails. Check out permanent exhibits on prehistoric cultures, Plains Indians, emigrant trails and the history of central Wyoming. Held every third Saturday in June, the Chugwater Chili Cook-Off is a favorite 33-year-old tradition. The spicy event at Chugwater’s Staats Town Park includes the State Championship Chili Cook-Off with tons of tasting opportunities, live tunes from local bands, tractor and quilt shows and other hometown fun. Karen Guidice, owner of Chugwater Chili, invites visitors to explore Chugwater, where a stop at her family’s business to sample the legendary chili recipe is a must. “In the midst of what some people would call nowhere, we have a beautiful little town with picturesque bluffs and great businesses to serve travelers,” she says. “You can stop by the Chugwater Chili office for tastes and go to the Soda Fountain for the perfect meal: an old-fashioned malt and a bowl of chili. If you want to take an overnight break, the Buffalo Lodge is a nice place to spend the evening.” 44 #ParkToPark CLOCKWISE FROM TOP LEFT: HUCKLEBERRY TRUFFLES, MEETEETSE CHOCOLATIER; HOT SPRINGS STATE PARK, JEFF VANUGA; CHUGWATER CHILI COOK-OFF, FACEBOOK/CHUCWATER CHILI COOKOFF. Families love the waterslides, diving platform and sun deck at the Star Plunge’s two naturally heated pools inside Thermopolis’ Hot Springs State Park, while couples migrate to the soaking pools at the State Bath House (both require bathers to wear swimming suits). WY INDEED
Wyoming Official Travel Guide 2018 Wyoming OTJ: Page 44
