Day 2: Kemmerer, Big Piney and Pinedale

Thursday, November 11, 2010 - Another fantastic day on the road in Wyoming! The pride and excitement of the people of Wyoming can be felt at every stop we make and we are so grateful to all of the communities who have made us feel so welcome. Today was particularly special being Veterans Day. The U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree team honored veterans in Wyoming and throughout the nation at several stops along the way, including Big Piney and Pinedale. Below is a photo of veterans at a special event at the Fine Arts Center in Big Piney. On behalf of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree project, we thank you for your service and sacrifice to our nation.

NACS Roadside Stop: Evanston

We began our day bright and early in Evanston! We fueled up our SUV's and trucks, as well as our team members, at the Pilot station in Evanston. Check out these photos of the team meeting with Pilot managers and getting their morning coffee.

Kemmerer

Once we were well caffeinated, it was off to Kemmerer where we were greeted by hundreds of students from Kemmerer Elementary School. The students, most of whom made ornaments for the Tree, came to see the Capitol Christmas Tree up close. Their excitement was truly contagious and we were so thrilled to see the delight on their faces!

Big Piney

After Kemmerer, Team Tree headed onwards to Big Piney for a special Veterans Day ceremony with students from Big Piney Elementary School. We were thrilled to have the chance to pay tribute to Wyoming's many veterans and share in this special event with them.

The students from Big Piney Elementary School were ready and waiting for us when we arrived.

Students from Big Piney Elementary School greet the Capitol Christmas Tree.

Just like in Kemmerer, the students were extremely excited to see Wyoming's U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree. The entire Tree Team was on hand to answer questions and help ensure all the young students were able to get a glimpse of Wyoming's Perfect Tree.



Students in Big Piney had plenty of questions for Law Enforcement Officer and Tree Escort Phelan Whitehair. Some about the Tree, many about the cool gadgets on his belt.

 

Tree Truck Driver Jeff Underwood and a student from Big Piney get a closer look at the Capitol Christmas Tree.

 Pinedale

Last on our tour for the day was Pinedale where we had a special ceremony at the Sublette County Library. Mayor Stephen Smith was there to greet us and the many residents who showed up to see the Tree and participate in the afternoon's festivities!

Pinedale Mayor Stephen Smith welcomes the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree to Pinedale.

4-H Students from Pinedale pose in front of the Tree Banner.

In Pinedale, Lloyd Reicht and Greg Schambler from Encana came to see the Tree off to Washington, D.C. Encana has been a critical partner of the U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project. They laid special vegetative mats on the ground surrounding the Capitol Christmas Tree to protect the land around it during removal and just this past weekend, Encana, along with M & N, rushed special heaters to Jackson to help heat the Tree to protect the branches from breaking when packing it up. Thank you Encana for helping to protect our Perfect Tree!

Tomorrow it is onto Rock Springs, Wamsutter and Rawlins!