It wasn't just the Elk Mountain (non)drinking water that made me appreciate the Saratoga Water Treatment Plant (hello, WatSan!) - it was the Googie architecture of the place. I just love the porthole motif... get it? Water... portholes...

The Old West vibe of the Saratoga Hot Springs Inn was to be expected, but the glow of their custom lamp was unexpectedly pretty.

Another reason to love the charming little town of Saratoga Springs: a free municipal hot springs known as the Hobo Pool (see sign above at left). It's right on the bank of the beautiful North Platte River and did I mention it's free?

Wide, wide Wyoming, seen from Interstate 80.
In addition to cartoonish cloudscapes we also saw:
A herd of 100+ elk;
A herd of 50+ antelope;
A lone coyote;
Numerous deer;
200+ wind turbines;
Miles of snow fences.

In the context of public health, WatSan means Water Supply and Sanitation. It's one of the biggest problems facing developing nations, but how often do you confront the issue of unhygienic water in the USA?

Welcome to the Conoco Gas Station in Elk Mountain, Wyoming.

You can't drink the water, but you can eat the candy.
The Elk Mountain Conoco sells two relatively hard to find candies: Bit-o-Honey and Sioux City's own Twin Bing chocolate bar.

Make sure you ask the guys hanging out by the cash register about how Nancy Pelosi wants to take away their hunting rifles. Actually, you won't have to ask - they talk about it all day long!

Last weekend we drove through Wyoming, en route to hot springs.

Laramie: pop. 27,000 people / 23 fantastic signs and storefronts.

Above: Marquee for the Wyo Theater. Currently playing (surprise!) the French film, I've Loved You So Long.

Above: Alexander's Fine Jewelry. Love the pink awning and those wonderful serving dishes.

My personal favorite: Alibi Drive In Liquors / Bar. There's such a great Jetsons feel to this sign.