Day Thirty One: Just Don't Be Last

I have been looking forward to Cheyenne, WY for maybe decades. I grew up knowing a family that once lived in WY and named their dogs after cities in Wyoming (Jackson, Cody, Cheyenne). I know that is a silly reason to be interested in a city, but interest has to stem from somewhere. I have never had a reason to go to Cheyenne before but when this trip was in it's early stages, Cheyenne was immediately on my list. It has always sounded so exotic, a place so very unlike places I have lived, or even places I have been. When you look it up on Google Maps, one of the first images that pops up is a picture of a sculpture of a cowboy boot. This was further confirmation that I needed to go.

I booked an airbnb basically in downtown Cheyenne, WY. It was actually one of the first places I have been that the airbnb prices were actually comparable to those of hotels. The hotels here seem to be mostly in suburbia and I knew that was not the experience for me. Plus, I have a kitchen!

I am clearly a sucker for a walkable town. I have gotten so many steps in, my watch has been so proud. The grid-like flat layout makes it easy to walk. Despite the heat (yup, I swear, I'm bringing it with me... let's just start assuming that wherever I am: it's blistering hot [mid 90s, low 100s]. Locals are complaining about the heat and barely anyone is walking anywhere), I am all over the map. I checked out some local parks, downtown, their capitol building and an exhibit at their library. Sure, I try to avoid being outside mid-day. If I can be mostly in shade, I am quite content exploring the city, water bottle in hand, leaving the faint waft of sunblock as I pass.

I ended the night playing trivia at a local bar. I have never played trivia as a solo team but I was determined to do so and hoped I didn't come in last. That was my goal - just not last. Out of 7 teams, I came in 3rd. 3RD! It was a weird fluke thing where I was more like 5th place going into the final question. I wagered the lowest amount I could and got the question wrong which then worried me that I might actually get last. Other teams overwagered then also got the question wrong, which bumped me up when they lost their points. I was, and still continue to be, shocked. What is happening to me?! First: BINGO, now: trivia?! So now, I'm the proud owner of a pen and gift card to the bar/restaurant that doesn't have a location in PA.