Laramie

Laramie is a medium sized town of about 27,000 people, which includes a goodly number of degree aspiring students at the University of Wyoming. The University dominates Laramie in many ways, not the least of which is economic. As a place where the students' education is heavily subsidized by the state, the University represents a very generous gift from Wyoming to the rest of the US, since nearly all graduating students depart quickly for higher paying jobs located out of state. Most services desired can be found in Laramie, including those of a religious nature. Should you need that special, last minute body piercing to make your Sprint outfit complete, that can be done, too.The town is easily accessed either by road (I-80), by Conestoga wagon (Overland Trail), or by large, well powered personal jets such as the 747 (local airport). However, large, poorly powered jet aircraft will need to divert to either the Cheyenne or Denver airports. It is not necessary to doff your hat when you enter the local bars, but it is suggested you do so on Sundays when cowgirls are present.

Most people in town who are not employed by the University either bale hay, chase cattle around, wrench limestone out of the ground, run immense hedge funds and venture capital firms, or do other stuff.

Depending on the time of year, within the city limits of Laramie you may be able to spot sea gulls, tourists, cowboys, losing visiting football team (or sometimes winning), antelope, and the occasional moose. Just like Northern Exposure! On the stretch of US 287 between Laramie and the Colorado border you can often see state troopers having amiable discussions about speed limits and such with drivers of cars bearing Colorado licence plates. You will never be able to spot presidential contenders in Laramie or anywhere in Wyoming for that matter since Wyoming is the least important state in the nation as far as that sort of thing goes.

While the best thing to do in Laramie is of course Orienteering, other good things to do include: visiting Big Al the T. Rex at the UW Geology Museum, ogling the incredible wares and bargains at The Shoppes at Bosler (just north of Laramie), mountain biking around the Happy Jack and Vedauwoo areas up the hill from town, making out at the Ames Monument (if she/he won't kiss you there then you may as well abandon all hope, it's better than Niagara Falls and Paris combined), prospecting for diamond bearing kimberlites, and practicing for high stakes mosquito swatting competitions.