The South Pass, Wyoming on My Mind - September 10, 2015

Today I drove from Alpine, near Jackson, southwest, over the South Pass, through Lander and Riverton to Shoshoni, where I have found another charming motel. The Desert Inn, it's called. The South Pass was "discovered"in  1812, when a trapper named Robert Stuart was escorted to it by an Indian. This pass through the Rockies was totally unknown to white people. Its discovery was essential for the westward expansion. All of the overland trails came through it, and then  dispersed to Oregon or California or Salt Lake  City. Though it  is surrounded by mountains, the pass itself is so subtle that pioneers were not  sure they had  actually crossed over the continental divide. But they had.

The drive from Alpine was characteristically beautiful. Majestic mountains, amazing prairies. I stumbled upon a radio station that alternately played sentimental hymns and  sentimental western songs. I confess I was taken by "Wyoming on  My Mind." No pictures today, but have a listen to the song, if you can.

Wyoming on My Mind

I was very  melancholy today, having just learned of the death by suicide of a dear student friend, whom I have been talking with regularly for several years. I was among the last persons to speak tohim. He read this blog every day. The sadnessis unspeakable. He would have liked this song. It's for him. I will miss him very much.