I Finally Stopped at that Tree in a Rock on I-80 West of Cheyenne
I've passed by it plenty of times driving between Cheyenne and Laramie on Interstate 80. I'm sure you have too. Right near Burford, Wyoming I see the sign that says "Point of Intrest" and think, 'I like interesting things, I should stop and see what the point is.'
But, when I'm traveling at 75 mph, in the time it takes to form that thought and make a decision I've already blown right past whatever interesting point is there between the eastbound and westbound lanes of I-80.
So this past weekend, it all fell into place. I wasn't in a hurry to get back to Cheyenne from Laramie, the kids had dozed off, and I saw the sign and pulled off the road just in time to do some point of interest investigating. What I found was fascinating.
It's called Tree Rock. It's a very old pine tree that is growing out of a crack in an ancient boulder.
It was noted by the folks building the railroad in 1868, the tracks ran just 50 feet away from the pine. Over the years the tracks moved and were replaced by a trail, then highway 30 and eventually I-80. All through the years, the tough tree was a travelers landmark.