It's fall in Wyoming, even if the "season" doesn't arrive until Sept. 22. So the four-day motorcycle trip was a blast and even the weather couldn't "dampen" the fun we had.

Friday was brilliantly sunny and literally cloudless, as we made our way from Casper on our regular route through Medicine Bow, Rock River and Bosler. That route was necessitated by having to drop the dog off at his hotel for his weekend stay.

I've been told that from now on, we'll go the "other" route, south on I-25 and through Sybille Canyon.

A long-sleeved T-shirt was plenty warm and warded off the giant attack bugs that pelted my jeans with yellow goo and felt like boulders on my uncovered forehead.

Always priding myself on being "in the know," we were cruising at speed when unexpected orange diamond-shaped signs began appearing, the telltale "signs" of construction season in Wyoming.

And then, like a mirage in the desert, this random stoplight appeared. There are no intersections, no merge lanes, no yields, just a random stoplight. It was hilarious, but of course my camera was packed in the luggage and no way was that going to get uncovered.

The sign advised that the wait would be 15 minutes and that a pilot car would escort us. It was actually about 13 minutes. I did discover for the first time that my short legs, the subject of much making-fun-of by the friend, actually dangle from the motorcycle, so when I learned that, I was swinging away, further irritating the friend.

We landed in Laramie and were completely thrilled by the swankiness of our hotel. It's dandy, and we'll stay again.

The entire place is decorated in brown and gold, and I particularly loved the linen shades with the buckin' broncs on the swag light fixtures in the hallways.

Saturday dawned crisp and sunny, only to give way to really, really scorching hot and brutal sun.

The motorcycle parade attracted just under 70 this year and was a hoot as usual. The game was a "W" and we were thrilled about that.

Sunday found us driving south to Fort Collins and Loveland, and we had a great time. It rained heavily on the way back to Laramie, but a warm hotel room and great meal fixed us right up.

The first day of September, we encountered cold rain before Bosler, and it rained steadily from then on. A 60-cent cup of cappuccino in Medicine Bow temporarily warmed the hands, and the blow dryer at the Shirley Basin rest area pointed up temporarily thawed my face.

But when I walked out of the building, it was immediately apparent that the raindrops had dimension - perhaps not fluffy white like Christmas Eve, but dimension nonetheless.

So, yes, as far as I'm concerned, we got snowed on. And it was cold. And I didn't have any long underwear packed in my three plastic "suitcases." And will we do it again?

Of course. Just as soon as my face thaws.

Reach community news editor Sally Ann Shurmur at (307) 266-0520 or sallyann.shurmur@trib.com.