text

Return to Laramie


Return to Laramie!

By
Patty Wilkinson

(For Bertie, Lin and Mo)
Please note this is not a Fanfic.

Well I didn’t think anything could top my original trip across the pond to Laramie back in 2017 but I was wrong! My second visit in July 2019 was something really special....

My travel buddies, Mo, Lin and I arrived on the 4th July and the ‘fireworks’ were to last our whole trip! Rockets shooting to the glittering stars and light cascading around us as we lost ourselves in all the delights Wyoming...Laramie and all the Jubilee has to offer.

We stayed in the same beautiful old Cottonwood Cottage that I rented last time, in the forest area of Laramie, where a warm welcome awaited us...Everything from food and drink to all the holiday essentials already provided for us.
The visit was not without its excitement however as the Tornado siren went off on our second night in town and we experienced an amazing storm with hailstones nearly bringing the cottage windows in...All an interesting experience for us intrepid, maybe fool- hardy Brits, viewing proceedings from the porch at one stage...
Then the following morning brilliant sunshine as we enjoyed an all American breakfast at the 17thStreet Cafe, what a contrast to the night before!

Then it was time to explore, from the lush forests of the Medicine Bow Park to the delightful small town of Centennial we were captivated. The frosting on the cake, or should that be snow on the Mountain, was when we made the climb up to 10,847 feet above sea level of the Snowy Range Pass. Truly amazing....and yes it was a bit chilly wearing only tee shirt and shorts...and yes we are dumb Brits...but darned tough ones!

Walking in the footsteps of Jess Harper as I wandered around the beautiful inspiring Wyoming countryside and seeing the very places I write about was so exciting!

Then on to the joys that can only be provided by Laramie Old Town...every shop a little gem, every shop keeper kind, patient and friendly. And yes I would have put some of Steve’s Laramie signs and a painting or two from the gallery in my luggage, had there been a spare inch left in my case! But instead I took away happy memories...too many to recall here....but I’ll try anyway!

For the Jubilee weekend we moved over to the Hilton Garden Inn, where we were treated like royalty, nothing too much trouble. Here we met up with Robert Fuller’s Fandom, of which we are members, and had a chance to catch up with friends old and new...

So what of my memories?

Meeting my dear Canadian friend Bertie, my email buddy for so many years, for the first time and her lovely family too! Talking and laughing with my Fandom Face- book friends...Trips out to the Laramie Prison for a photograph session with the iconic Bob Fuller, ( Jess) Dennis Holmes ( Mike) and Bobby Crawford ( Andy).... lovely gentlemen all...

A hilarious question and answer session with all three cowboys, thoroughly enjoyed by one and all.

The wonderful Jubilee Parade!

Meal and drinks with friends...at the dude ranch outside town...and the drive back laughing and chatting.... thank you Mort...er Linda 

A special moment with Bob when I was able to give him a Birthday present and catch up with him a little, what a sweet, kind man....so appreciative.

The weekend wasn’t without its challenges though as several folk were laid low and hospitalized with illness and others suffered some losses and difficulties. But as ever the Fandom Family rallied around and true friendships and strong bonds were born out of adversity.

Then all too soon we were saying our goodbyes...exchanging photographs and email addresses...keeping in touch and sharing the happy memories...until next time...

Thank you Laramie, one of my favorite places on earth...the people the place...wonderful... Thank you Bob, Dennis and Bobby for giving of your time so willingly, we had a ball guys!

Finally of course a huge thank you to our intrepid leader Tony and to all the volunteers who make Fandom Events run so well. Thank you to Bertie, Mo and Lin my travel buddies for their company and fun times..... We’ll do it all again one day...maybe?

Love y’all Patty XXX

Name:
Email Address:
If you have enjoyed this story, please send me a comment!

This contact form was created by Freedback.