Where does one buy prepaid cell phones anyway?
King Soopers, Safeway, Walgreens and most 7/11's have them. The phones are maybe $15, then you buy a card with whatever amount of minutes you want/need for your trip (a $20 card will do you fine for a weekend). Pay cash for both items in a single purchase (if you buy other stuff, have them ring it up on a separate receipt).
Don't activate the phone/minutes card from your personal daily cell or landline, if you have one. Instead, plug in the phone and let it charge up, then use the instructions in the booklet to add minutes (it's easy, you press * something, depending on the brand you buy). If an operator comes on the line and asks your zip and name or any other personal info, just make it up- they don't care and they have no way to verify anyway. "My name is Marilyn Monroe, zip: 90210".
As for taking pictures on the trip, two suggestions:
1. Disposable cameras are inexpensive and have no digital tracking/record as to
where you took the pictures. (This is very important because if you scan any into your computer later, for whatever reason, the longitude/latitude won't show up in the picture's permanant record.) Obviously, picture quality will be a little lower, but not "bad' by any means. Plus- they're fun!
2. Be consious of taking landscape pictures that include people who aren't close, personal friends. If you decide to show/share pictures when you get home (Facebook, whatever), you might find some people unhappy with their picture on your social networking site *especially* if they have kids or their kids wind up in your pictures. Just a head up, as many people- not just in Wyoming- are concerned with their internet safety.
It never hurts to ask someone before you take a snapshot, "do you mind if you're included in this picture?". In fact, they'll probably appreciate it.
Fifty bucks cash will get you a phone, minutes, and one or two disposable cameras. WELL worth the investment.
