Summer 2008: Day 15, Greybull WY

[Saturday, 5 July 2008, Greybull WY]--Today was to be a scenic trip over the Big Horn mountains to Greybull WY; we had hoped to see Uncle Leonard. However, several tries on the cell phone got only his message machine; noone returned my calls. We would try again after we got to Greybull.

After saying our goodbyes to Bob & Adelaide (they were going to take off to fly back to Huntsville), we left Spearfish and headed out for the Big Horns. Which pass would it be -- the North pass (Granite Pass), or the South pass (Powder River Pass)? The GPS told Grumpy that the South Pass was the shortest/fastest route between Spearfish to Greybull. Being aware that Powder River was the higher of the two passes (9,868 ft.), Grumpy worried that there might be snow on the highway. Such turned out to be a needless worry.

Grumpy also remembered that Powder River Pass was the route taken when he and Rachel made their midwest tour in 2005. The flowers then were spectacular; in Summer 2008 they were even more so! One patch of purple Lupine on the roadside was a deep sky blue color! Oh how Grumpy regrets not stopping to get a photograph. Grumpy also regrets that he didn't slow down to 30-40 miles per hour so the Grand Mother could have focused on the fields of Lupine and other, golden flowers.

In Greybull, when we checked in to our motel, we were given free-drink coupons good for "one each at Dutchies" and told that it was "a pretty good place to eat". Dutchies, we found out, was located inside the entrance to a KOA campground -- an unlikely site if there ever was one, for a "good" restaurant. The parking was practically nonexistent and once inside the door, we found almost every seat taken. A huge blond man met us as we entered and showed us an empty table by a window. As soon as he spoke, we had to assume that this was none other than "Dutchie" by his thick Holland accent.

After surveying the menu and noting, "Prime Rib, our specialty", we enquired of our waiter (who else other than Dutchie!) if we could order the 12 ounce prime rib and split it between the two of us. "Uf coorse!" he replied in his most friendly voice. And so we ordered.

The evening meal in this most unlikely spot in the most unlikely town of Greybull WY, was the highlight of our stay. The prime rib was the most flavorful and tender that Grumpy has ever tasted! I think the First Wife would agree as well. Unfortunately, we never heard back from Uncle Leonard and so didn't get to see him.