About a week ago, I was coming back from Rawlins going back to Hanna on I-80 when I witnessed some incredible driving and a few moments of real fear.

A semi-truck was in the left lane and did not see a tanker truck beside it. The semi’s driver, in the next few moments, went entirely into the right lane.

I could not believe what I saw unfolding before me.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Last weekend, I was at the Virginian Hotel getting to bartend when a couple came in from Casper.

They had come to the Virginian to celebrate their wedding anniversary. They told me they went to historic hotels every year to enjoy their special day. 

I thought that was great.

After they had checked in, they decided to have dinner in the bar.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

This was a tough week for Carbon County residents. 

Friends and family said goodbye to Billy “Cowboy” Wadsworth on Friday in Encampment, which was attended by residents from all over the County and State. Cowboy was known for his knowledge of the history and culture of the area. He was genuinely a nice guy.

The memorial was to remember him and honor his life.

The Carbon County  Traveler

Mike Armstrong

The other day someone asked me about living in Australia. I said it was fantastic and it was. If I had not bought my house in Saratoga the year before, I bet I might have listened to those who wanted me to stay.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

During summer, Carbon County sees a lot of bikers riding down its roads. Some of these groups of riders are friends going down the road to see the beautiful countryside that the County offers. Others are riding for a mission, such as raising awareness of their group.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I have recounted in earlier columns that it is unlikely I would have ever lived in Wyoming without Darby Doll, a former resident of Encampment, getting me to visit Carbon County about 25 years ago.

A couple of weeks back, Darby flew over from Taiwan to have a meeting in Ohio with a firm he works for and stopped in Wyoming. His father lives in Casper.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

When Dana told me edition 52 was this week, I was unprepared. I was thinking it was at least another week.

I had planned to ponder what it meant to be one of the founders of a local and independent newspaper once we got this edition out.

Best-laid plans don’t always work.

I had only a couple of days to think about the past year.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

Last week was tough as I found myself in the public eye of many Carbon County residents. It happened early in the week, just before our paper went out. Then, over the weekend, while I was in Hanna, Medicine Bow, and Elk Mountain, the matter kept coming up because it was on Facebook and the radio. News travels fast in Carbon County.

The Carbon County Traveler

Mike Armstrong

I travel a lot on US 30 quite a lot since I live in Hanna whether I am heading down to Encampment or to Laramie. As warm weather starts to become more consistent, Carbon County starts to see certain things happen.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I have probably had more roommates than the average guy, mostly because of my time overseas.

Still, starting with college, I had 4 different roommates before getting a single in my dorm. I got along with every one of them, but different circumstances had us part.  

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I am often asked how I ever came to live in Wyoming when people learn that I started my adult life in the Washington D.C. area, then moved to Hawaii, Taiwan (twice), Australia (twice)  the Keys in Florida (only three months, but I still lived there) and China (three times).

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County Comet

I started covering graduations about six or seven years ago for newspapers and it really is special to watch. I especially like the slideshows of the kids where we see them of all different ages.

As the years have gone by while I have watched them grow, these kids I first met in 7th grade, have turned into young adults.

By Mike Armstrong

Reporter, Carbon County

According to data compiled using the Global Wind Atlas on April 19, 2023, a web-based application developed by the Technical University of Denmark, Alaska is the windiest state in the U.S., followed closely by Wyoming. The other states in the top five are Michigan, Montana and Nebraska.

So it seems Wyoming is the windiest of the 48 continental states. Living in Northern Carbon County, this is no surprise.

The Carbon County Traveler

Mike Armstrong

I loved Carbon County before I ever floated the river. And actually the first river I floated was the Encampment, not the Platte.

Once I did float, it sealed the deal about my decision to make this County my home. 

Living in Carbon County is amazing.