Lobby of The Plains Hotel
It was a very stormy welcome to Cheyenne after a long trek through the Nebraska plains on the Chattanooga to Oregon coast adventure.
Black clouds began appearing ahead before the Wyoming line was reached, prompting Min - a weather devotee - to race to her weather sites.
It was a possible tornado ahead, she warned.
Along the way, she announced that the little town we were just approaching "is under a Tornado Watch" (or is it Tornado Warning - whichever is worse).
We were blithley hopeful that we would skirt the ominous darkness just to the south, but Min proclaimed that it was "turning south."
Finally, we were in it full bore. Fortunately, Zef was driving and he is a former state champion truck driver. We plowed ahead as the heavy rain at times turned to hail.
It was quite a relief to finally emerge into a pink Western sky - just as we approached our destination for the night.
Somehow, we found that Mert's beloved red Buick Envision was not all pocked up from the hail and our windows were all intact. Alas, it was not the case in Cheyenne. Walking around the area of our downtown hotel, there were numerous cars and pickups with significant hail damage. Some of the ice balls went through vehicle windows.
A bystander said the damage was widespread at the local Dodge dealer.
But we were safe and warm inside The Plains Hotel, which has operated ccntinuously since its grand opening in 1911.
It has welcomed many famous guests, including Jimmy Stewart, Buffalo Bill, Teddy Roosevelt and Ronald Reagan.
The old gal is not quite up to snuff at present, but still welcoming guests to the Wild West with its spacious lobby, interesting maps and photos on the walls, and numerous Native American costumes and relics.
The tiny wooden elevator still carries guests - though not so many at a time. Min first pushed in her cart, but then there was no room for Min to squeeze by. Out came the cart and in went Min first, then the cart.
Down in the basement the same freezer that was installed in 1911 is still in daily use. It is said to be the oldest working freezer in America (or maybe the world).
We had comfortable mattresses and a fine desk to do my writing on. There was no need to run the rain mode on the noise maker - the tub had a constant flow because the spigot could not be closed.
Parking is on a lot a block and a half away, but Zef and I took care of that arrangement while the women settled in.
The Plains once served breakfast, and the tables and chairs are all still in place. But now The Plains has high recommendations for The Omelet House just down the street.
Still, it's fine to have survived the tornado, the downpour and the hail and to have spent a night at The Plains Hotel under a pink sky.
It's on to Park City.
.