Rip Hawkins is a former National Football League player who has made his home in Northeast Wyoming for the past 10 years. He and his wife live on a 700-acre ranch in a log home with a lovely view of Devils Tower.
Q: What drew you to Northeast Wyoming?
A: Northeast Wyoming has mountains, plains and the Belle Fourche River. Clean air, beautiful stars at night and few people on the highways make it an ideal place to think and enjoy the space.
Q: What do you think will surprise first-time visitors to your part of the state?
A: First-time visitors are always overwhelmed with the beauty and vastness of the area as well as the remoteness. The availability of abundant wildlife for up-close viewing throughout the area is an attraction as well.
Q: What are some don’t miss events in the Northeast?
A: Town and county rodeos are attractions throughout the summer that visitors can enjoy. Cultural events at Devils Tower include poetry readings, Native American dance and folklore and the Old Settler’s Picnic. Annual branding activities at various ranches are a community event in the spring.
Q: Besides Devils Tower, what are some of the top things visitors to northeast Wyoming should see or do?
A: Hunting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, hiking and camping at the Cook Lake area in the Bear Lodge. Bicycling, boating and recreation at Keyhole Reservoir. Wintertime activities include snowmobiling in the Bear Lodge of Northeast Wyoming. Private and public museums offer a rich history of Crook, Campbell, Weston and Niobrara counties.
Q: What kind of wildlife do you see most often?
A: We most often see white-tail deer, mule deer, elk, wild turkeys, hawks, eagles, coyotes, porcupines, snakes, lynx, ranch buffalo, antelope, turkey buzzards, sand hill crane migrations and a wide variety of bird life. Wild turkeys often frequent our back porch to help themselves to our dog and cat food. Elk have visited our hay stacks and left
behind their antlers.
Rip's restaurant picks
In Gillette:
- Las Margaritas for a Mexican "fix"
- Humphrey's for monster burgers
- The Chophouse or the Prime Rib Restaurant for steak
Across Northeast Wyoming: