- City Guides

Entries from June 1, 2011 - June 30, 2011

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Jun302011

On the Shoulder of the Wind Rivers - Lander, Wyoming

Thursday, June 30, 2011 at 11:10PM

By Jim Poulton

Lander – a little town on the eastern slope of the Wind River Mountains in central Wyoming – was founded in 1869 as an army post to provide protection for immigrants headed over South Pass (the main pass through the Rockies for the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails). The town that grew up around the camp was named Lander in 1875, after the explorer Frederick W. Lander.

Frederick West Lander. Credit: Cowan Auctions

In 1906, Lander became the last stop of the ‘Cowboy Line’ of the Chicago and North Western Railway. The railroad was intended to be a transcontinental mainline to Oregon and California, but it never went further than Lander. Lander is the home of the world’s first paid rodeo, which continues to this day. And for anyone looking for adventure and challenge – either as a camper, hiker or climber – in the Wind River Mountains, Lander is the closest town to get a good beer.

Credit: Wyoming’s Wind River Country

The Wind Rivers are not for the faint of heart. My brother and I were once having lunch under a tree in the Wind Rivers. When we were done, and continued on our way, a lightning bolt struck the tree – not 75 feet behind us – and blew it to bits. There was no place to hide and we were both standing in the middle of a river. Not exactly the place you want to be in a lightning storm …

Lander, on the other hand, is a much safer place to be!

When you drive into Lander for the first time, it won’t take long for you to recognize that the Coalter Block is the hot spot in town. It’s a good sign when the locals and the tourists frequent the same watering hole. The Lander Brewing Company, the Lander Bar, the Gannett Grill and the Cowfish restaurant sit side by side and you can walk though all four without going back out the front door.

The old neon sign that once hung outside the hotel is now preserved inside the Gannett Grill

Lander Hotel c. 1930s. Credit: Lander Bar

The Lander Bar is a hangout for local ranchers and it also hosts functions for the International Climber’s Festival each year.

The Jack Mormon Pale Ale and the organic hamburger were delicious.

The Cowfish restaurant features locally raised beef, free of hormones and antibiotics, and fish flown in regularly from the northwest (hence Cow-Fish) – and it boasts its own garden vegetables and herbs in the summer and fall.

Outdoor dining at the Gannett Grill, a popular spot for bicyclists.

The Lander Brewing Company.

Landmark Purina silo in Lander.

The bookstore, organic market, and coffee shop are a signal the independent spirit is thriving in Lander.

“Over The Top” Commissioned by Jim and Wendy Gibson. 1992. Artist: Danny D. Edwards of Twin Falls, Idaho. Casting by Eagle Bronze Foundry & Gallery, Lander, WY. Photo credit: My-West.com. All rights reserved.

My-West.com |

Off the Beaten Track - Dell, Montana

Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 11:24PM

By Donna Poulton

If you find yourself between Idaho Falls, Idaho and Butte, Montana on I-15 and you’re looking for a good place to eat, don’t wait for the big city. Stop in Dell, Montana, population 35. Every time we drive north to visit family we stop in Dell and they’ve never disappointed us yet. This little town is trying hard and they’re doing a great job of making sure that you’ll want to return next time.

The main attraction is the Calf-A, situated in an old one-room schoolhouse. The Calf-A serves basic fare, their motto being “Good Cookin, Lotsa Lookin.”

The menu is written on the blackboard, offering home-cooking, deliciously prepared—including their famous homemade pies.

They've served 30,000 people a year, which doesn't surprise us because when we arrived the place was packed. People come from all over the country - and the world.

Other points of interest in Dell include the beautifully renovated Bed and Breakfast at the Stockyard Inn. The Inn boasts seven themed guest rooms and their gourmet dining experience must be ordered in advance.