Our first stop of interest was in Cheyenne, Wyoming. We spent the night in a place called Terry Bison Ranch. Not Terry’s Bison Ranch, or Terry Bison’s Ranch, but Terry Bison Ranch. This place was a hoot! Even though the place was right next to the interstate, we could have spent an additional day, no problem. The property was originally owned by Charles Terry, but was sold to the first Governor of Wyoming, F.E. Warren in 1885. During their active careers, President Teddy Roosevelt and General John Pershing frequented the ranch.
The ranch now belongs to the Thiel family, and most of its 27,000 plus acres are in Colorado. It is home to about 2500 Bison, along with camels, ostriches, lamas, and all kinds of other animals. You can walk around and above (on a catwalk) the livestock corrals.
The family runs themed train tours on a DIY railroad built from scraps left over from old army trucks, tractors, and machinery that was laying around. Track from a railroad job in Montana, and some old Burlington Northern railroad ties complete the railroad.
They also run ATV tours, a trout fishing pond, pony rides, a kids corral, a large restaurant and banquet facility, a gift shop, rental cabins and bunkhouses and of course, the RV park. These guys have quite an operation.
As if all those things weren't enough, the Thiels have recently begun a Clydesdale and Percheron draft horse breeding program, as well as a foal program to raise horses for their riding stable at the ranch. Last but not least, they’ve opened the Wyoming School of Horseshoeing, to supply horse dependent operations with master class Farriers.
Our day at the ranch was climaxed by a spectacular example of God’s workmanship. Penny’s pictures can only capture some of its wonders.
Judge for yourself.
