On Wednesday, I made an impromptu visit to Wyoming.
Since the end of May, I’ve been dealing with intense migraines. We didn’t know what they were at first and I ended up in the emergency room four times. Eventually I was diagnosed with Atypical Migraines, which simply means they aren’t manifesting in any usual way. Let’s just say that these Atypical Migraines result in crippling pain and they significantly cramp my style.
I am on a regime of prevention medicine but we still haven’t gotten to the bottom of why I am getting these migraines.
Those who suffer from migraines will probably understand, but for the past four days, before heading to Wyoming, I have been dealing with “rebound migraines” from migraine drug use. Get a migraine, take the drug and then the drugs give you migraines. It’s a vicious circle for which there is no relief (or answers).
The one way I can prevent the onset of a rebound migraine is to keep my brain active and not look at a screen (laptop or television). Driving seems to be the best way to keep my mind on something other than pain, so I jumped in my car and headed north in an attempt to thwart another rebound migraine.
I ended up at the Cheyenne Botanic Gardens. I thought that I could occupy my mind by taking photos of flowers, plus, the gardens are free, so I was hoping for a win/win.
By the way, it was not to late to enjoy flowers in Cheyenne. In fact, the bees were very busy.
The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens has a Grand Conservatory, a Children’s Garden and an array of outside gardens. I walked through the conservatory, admiring the birds on the second level and the tropical plants and water features on the main floor.
It’s a peaceful place and it would be a nice escape from the cold and windy Cheyenne winters.
The last time I’d visited was in February 2017, and we spent all of our time inside the Grand Conservatory. This time, after buying some lavender oil and a hot cup of Earl Gray in the store, I ventured outside.
The weather was perfect with just a hint of a breeze as I made my way past the big boot and into the Paul Smith Children’s Garden. You do not need children to visit this area. In fact, I spent a lot of time shooting flowers here.
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In addition to hands-on projects that kids will enjoy and water features including a huge pond, there are lots of flowers here and most were still blooming during my September visit.
The gardens have recently been yarn bombed, this is when knitters create yarn creations to fit on various items. In this case, trees, benches and bridges.
Here are a few photos from my outing. And it turns out, it worked.
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After the botanic gardens, I drove to Laramie and had a late lunch at Sweet Melissa Cafe. I had the best black bean burger of my life at this popular vegetarian joint. Then, I returned to Colorado.
I managed to keep my rebound migraine at bay and today (the day after the trip), I have been relatively symptom-free.
I benefitted and now I hope you can benefit from my little road trip! The Cheyenne Botanic Gardens is a wonderful escape.
