1.  Elk – the Sunlight Basin northwest of Cody is a popular place for herds of elk to gather.  Drive north of Cody on Highway 120, go about 16 miles, then turn west onto the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway.  The Sunlight Basin road will take you past some beautiful ranches and into the valley where the elk feed.  It’s a gorgeous drive, and the opportunity to view these animals in their natural habitat is worth going the distance!

2.  Bison – without a doubt, Yellowstone National Park is THE place to get your fill of these wild and wooly critters.  They literally own the roads in Yellowstone – anyone who’s been there recently will be able to tell you that the bison traffic jams rival any big city traffic snarls… but there’s a heck of a lot less road rage here!

3.  Big Horn Sheep – the highway that follows the South Fork of the Shoshone River leads to a beautiful mountain valley that is home to herds of big horn sheep.  In the fall, the sheep are feeding in the low country before the hard winter kicks in, and in the spring, the sheep babies can be found frolicking on the ranchland in the valley.

4.  Mountain Goats – Clark’s Fork Canyon just northwest of Cody on Highway 120 is one of the few places in this region where you can spot these elusive rock dwellers.  I haven’t figured out how they can actually climb from one precipitous rock face to another – they’re incredible!

5.  Moose – east of Cody across the Big Horn Basin are the awesome Big Horn Mountains, home to black bear, deer, and the massive moose!  Highway 14A, from Lovell across to Sheridan, is a great place to spot these enormous creatures.  They’ve also been frequently seen in the Wood River Valley southwest of Meeteetse.

6.  Wild Horses – two wild mustang herds call Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country home: the McCullough Peaks area just east of Cody in the Big Horn Basin; and the Pryor Mountains northeast of the Big Horn Basin.  The Pryor Mountain Mustang Center is an educational center dedicated to preserving the legacy of these beautiful wild animals.

7.  Wolves – the Lamar Valley in Yellowstone National Park is prime viewing for all sorts of animals, but it’s one of the best bets for spotting wolves.  The wolf population is thriving in Yellowstone after the animal’s re-introduction in the 1990s. The Lamar Valley is in the northeast corner of Yellowstone Park, between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana.

8.  Mule Deer – believe it or not, if you’re looking to get up close and personal with a mule deer, go no farther than downtown Cody!  Dozens of deer roam around the community – and it’s either a curse or a blessing, depending on who you talk to… they love to munch in residents’ gardens!

9.  Bears – as you travel closer to Yellowstone National Park on Highway 14-16-20, the odds of seeing a grizzly or black bear grow greater!  Bear are regularly seen on the stretch of highway from about ten miles outside Yellow stone until the entrance to the Park, so keep your camera at the ready, but don’t get too close!  Remember, bears are dangerous creatures that move faster than you think they can…

10.  Antelope – … although pronghorns are actually the fastest land animals in North America.  But here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, they’re pretty content to move a little slower and graze in the lush grass of the Wapiti Valley about 20 miles west of Cody on the Yellowstone Highway.

11.  Waterfowl – Beck Lake and Alkali Lake on the east side of Cody aren’t just beautiful City parks; they’re also prime waterfowl habitat.  There’s a viewing area that was constructed a few years back by a local service organization that provides a fantastic place to sit and watch the ducks, geese, loons and other birds that use these lakes as a resting point along their migration routes.

There you are – Corrie N. Cody’s Top 11 list of the best wildlife watching places in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!  Next time you plan a trip this direction, take this list along to build your itinerary… and don’t forget your camera!

Until next time, I’ll be watching the wildlife in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

Obviously, Cody IS Rodeo, and there would be NO rodeo without horses!  They feature in every aspect of the evening’s entertainment – barrel racing, team roping, saddle bronc riding, you name it, horses are the main attraction.  Even in bull riding, the cowboys are watched over and rescued by the faithful outriders on their trusty steeds.  And the Cody Nite Rodeo runs from June 1 through the end of August, so there’s no reason at all to miss the action when you come to visit next summer!

If you’re looking to immerse yourself in the western experience, most of the guest and dude ranches between Cody and Yellowstone Park feature guided horseback rides as an integral part of their guests’ adventure.  From rides lasting a couple of hours to trips that take you deep into the mountains, guest ranch hosts will tailor your stay to fit your level of comfort and experience with horses.

Closer to town, Cedar Mountain Trail Rides operate in two locations – at the KOA Campground east of Cody and at the base of Cedar Mountain, just past the rodeo grounds.  June through September, your entire family can spend a morning or an afternoon seeing Cody Country from a whole new perspective!  With a stable full of horses, most of them gentle enough for children to ride, your visit to Cody/ Yellowstone Country can include a fabulous western experience your family will talk about for years to come!

But here in Buffalo Bill’s corner of the world, the horses aren’t all broke to ride – there are two herds of wild mustangs that live nearby and can be viewed from the comfort of your vehicle.  The Pryor Mountain mustangs are descended from Spanish horses that were brought here by explorers of the New World; and the McCullough Peaks herd roam freely on protected land in the Big Horn Basin between Cody and Greybull.  The Pryor Mountain Wild Mustang Center near Lovell is the premiere information repository on these amazing animals; and for an unforgettable guided tour of the McCullough Peaks Herd Management area, check out the Red Canyon Wild Mustang tours, based in downtown Cody.

If you love horses, Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country is THE place to spend your next vacation!  Come take a ride on the WILD side…

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

If you missed my last blog on Robin, she’s been a ranger at the East Gate for the last three years, and enjoys every day that she gets to welcome folks to the country’s first National Park.  She lives in a mountain cabin halfway between Cody and Yellowstone, so she gets to see wildlife almost every day!  And the visitors love to see all the animals before they even get in the Park – just this week Robin heard two different reports of grizzly bears crossing the highway just 5 miles east of the gate, and others spotted a wolf just up from the pass that same day.  And something even more unusual – Robin said that visitors reported seeing a mountain lion in the Hayden Valley, along with a wolf and eagles, all in the same area! 

Robin says that visitors are REALLY enjoying the beautiful weather we’re having right now – in fact, some have jokingly asked if they have to pay more to enter the park because the weather is such a bonus!  She says that after the cold snap we had last week, the leaves started changing colors, and now the warm temps and sunny skies are just enhancing the natural beauty of the region. 

On a sad note, Robin reports that over the last weekend, there were two bison hit and killed on the highway in Yellowstone.  It’s a reminder to visitors, though, that watching for wildlife in Yellowstone actually needs to start once you get to Cody itself!  We’ve got dozens of deer that live right here in town, and they don’t necessarily follow traffic signals… the same goes for the bison, elk, moose, and bear that populate the North Fork valley on the highway to Yellowstone.  And we’re in peak wildlife-watching season – the fall months and late spring are the BEST times to catch a glimpse of the amazing creatures that we co-habitate with here in Yellowstone Country!

Robin says that there have been quite a few inquiries about the two fatal grizzly attacks that have occurred this summer – the first fatal attacks in 26 years in Yellowstone.  The rangers’ message to visitors who are planning to hike?  ALWAYS CARRY BEAR SPRAY.  Ranger Robin and her husband have hiked in these mountains for the last thirteen years and always carry bear spray.  She says they’ve thankfully never had to use it, but on many occasions they have seen fresh bear tracks on their hikes.  If hikers have questions about the proper use of bear spray, they can check out a “Bear Aware” video at the public library in Cody.  The video was produced by the Buffalo Bill Historical Center’s Draper Museum of Natural History just a couple of years ago, so the information is very current.  

I asked Robin about the visitors who are frequenting the park right now, and she said that there are a TON of foreign travelers here right now!  A large percentage are German, which she says is pretty easy, because most of the German visitors speak English.  Many of the Italian tourists have trouble with the language barriers, though, as do quite a few of the French.  Robin says that at the East Gate, there are rangers on duty who can speak enough German and Norwegian to help out visitors from those countries; and Robin herself can converse in sign language, which has come in very handy over the past three years that she’s worked there.   She says that deaf visitors are always so pleased to find out that she can sign, which is so important when it comes to communicating about lodging and other necessary information. Since lodging and campsites fill up almost every day during peak season, it’s important to be able to get that message across as soon as folks get in the gate.

Robin’s got such a great job!  Her season is winding down there – the Park will close up the first weekend in November to wheeled vehicles, and will remain closed to wheeled vehicles until next May, when the season comes ‘round again… and Ranger Robin hopes to be there to greet enthusiastic visitors to this amazing, unique place that is Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

1. an agreement between two or more persons to meet at a certain time and place.

2. the meeting itself.

3. a place designated for a meeting or assembling.

4. a favorite or popular gathering place.

All these definitions apply to the annual Rendezvous Royale, a fabulous week-long party here in Cody that celebrates all that is unique and great about western art! 

If you haven’t been to the Rendezvous before, be prepared for events and happenings all day, every day, for five days!  According to Kathy Thompson, the director of the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale, people come from all over the United States to take part in the authentic western experience that is Cody.

Although Rendezvous Royale takes place the last full week in September, the activity actually begins in August, with the display of the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale’s Miniature Art Show.  These smaller works of art have all been created by the artists who have been invited to participate in the larger Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale that happens during Rendezvous Royale at the end of September.  The show hangs at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center until it’s time for the big show to be unveiled!

Come the end of September, things really kick into gear.  That’s when all four components of the Rendezvous come together for the enjoyment of residents and visitors:

- Cody High Style celebrates artisans – furniture, clothing and jewelry makers, leather work, and other fantastic “functional” art that is in a class of its own, apart from the Buffalo Bill Art Show.  There are classes on everything from building a Molesworth-style magazine rack to interior design; round-town events that include book signings and artist demonstrations; panel discussions on western design; and a high-energy fashion show at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center Wednesday night, complete with music, lights, models and a runway!

- The Boot Scootin’ Boogie is a relative newcomer to the Rendezvous Royale.  Put on by local merchants, this free downtown event has a party atmosphere, with sidewalk sales, food, drink, and a runway fashion show which closes down the main highway through town for four hours! There’s a great fundraiser that’s going on this year in conjunction with the Boot-Scoot – there are 3’ high ceramic cowboy boots that have been decorated by local artists, and these boots will be raffled off during Rendezvous Royale to raise money for

- The event that draws the most participation during the week is the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale – this live and silent auction takes place Friday night, and generates huge dollars for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and the Cody Chamber of Commerce (which takes a portion of the money and returns it to the community in the form of grants that support arts-related activities and events).  Folks look forward to this auction all year – it’s a great social event celebrating 30 years in 2011!  And the Friday event isn’t the end – there’s a Quick Draw on Saturday morning that is becoming more and more popular.  In the Robbie PowWow Gardens at the BBHC, artists sculpt, paint and draw for one hour, then that piece that they just created goes on the auction block then and there!  It’s exciting and fun to be a part of that action.

Kathy Thompson relies heavily on the large pool of volunteers who make this event happen – she says that these volunteers do everything from the non-glamorous (stuffing envelopes, cross-checking lists, signing up other volunteers) to the high-profile (carrying and displaying $1 million worth of art on stage in front of 650 patrons).  Volunteers also assist artists during the Quick Draw, and work behind the scenes to ship the pieces, manage contracts, and register people for events.

- The black tie event of Rendezvous Royale is Saturday night’s Patron’s Ball.  (Locals affectionately call it “The Cody Prom”).  This is a fundraising event for the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and everyone who is anyone attends!  Current and former governors, U.S. Senators and Representatives, high dollar donors to the BBHC, local elected officials and business folks, all dance and socialize to the tunes of a fabulously entertaining band.  It is THE social event of the season here in Cody!

Whew!  So much partying, all in one week!  Come join the fun – it’s a week of celebrations here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!

Lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country,

Corrie N. Cody

But the case of the black-footed ferret is unique – the species was thought to be extinct in the late 1950s, until a small population (a group of ferrets is called a “business” – isn’t that cool?) was discovered in South Dakota in 1964.  When that “business” of ferrets began to decline, wildlife officials captured some of the ferrets to save the species.  However, the last of those died in captivity in 1974, and it was thought the species was officially extinct.

Then came a fateful day – September 26, 1981. I talked to a friend of mine, Dennie Hammer, who is now with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.  On that day, Dennie was employed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service as the crew leader for a team searching for endangered species that might have habitats on land that was being considered for coal leasing.  He checked in with his office and was told that John Hogg, a rancher just outside Meeteetse, Wyoming, had found a dead animal that his dog “Shep” had brought home.  When he couldn’t figure out what it was, he brought it to a local taxidermist who identified the animal as a black footed ferret.  The taxidermist called wildlife officials, and Dennie and another Fish and Wildlife guy, Steve Martin, were sent to try to find more of the ferrets.

According to Dennie, they were conducting a spotlight search in the Meeteetse area on the Pitchfork Ranch, in the early morning of October 29^th, 1981.  At 6:20 a.m., they spotted a black footed ferret scurrying across the road before it dove into a prairie dog burrow.  They set traps for the animal, which they captured that evening.  (They nicknamed the young male ferret 620, since that was the time they first spotted him.) Dennie and Steve took “620” to veterinarian Bill Gould in Meeteetse, collared him and sent him back into the wild.  The little guy led them right to the rest of his clan, and the rest is history.

Since then, the black footed ferret has survived, both in captivity and in re-population efforts in eight states and in Mexico.  Thanks to the work of the government wildlife officials and private organizations whose mission is to keep the species around for a long time, the black footed ferret, while still an endangered species, is no longer on the brink of extinction.

And that’s the reason for the big shindig in Meeteetse on September 24^th through the 26^th – the 30^th anniversary of the day the ferrets were re-discovered. With events ranging from school programs to tours of the discovery location to the dedication of a black footed ferret display at the Meeteetse Museum, the fuzzy critters are being celebrated in grand Wyoming style.  There will be a street dance and a barbecue at the Oasis Motel on Friday night; the Meeteetse School will play host to demonstrations and panel discussions Friday and Saturday; there will be a drawing on Monday the 26^th for a commemorative bronze sculpture of a ferret; and the Governor has even signed a proclamation declaring September 26^th as Black Footed Ferret Day in Wyoming.  And if you’ve never seen an actual black footed ferret, there will be live ones there in Meeteetse that weekend on display!  That in itself is a reason to head to Meeteetse next weekend.

And all this over a furry weasel-looking creature that somebody’s dog brought home… amazing how life works, isn’t it? See ya in Meeteetse September 24^th, 25^th and 26^th!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

Robin works as a Park Ranger at the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.  This is her third 6-month season working for the National Park Service, and she says she is simply blessed to be doing what she does!  Robin greets people as they come to the world’s first National Park, and she says the reactions of folks who are visiting for the first time can really touch your heart.

Robin’s day on the job begins when the first visitors pass through the gate at 8 a.m., and is ready with her fellow gate-keepers to issue their familiar greeting – “Welcome to Yellowstone!”

And it truly is a welcome, and sometimes a profound, event for most of the folks who come through that gate, according to Robin.  She relayed several heartfelt stories to me about people who have been checking a visit to Yellowstone off their “Bucket Lists”… like the elderly couple who drove to the east entrance one day in 2009.  As the couple pulled up to the gate, it was obvious to the rangers that the woman in the passenger seat was not well.  As the supervisor (who is an EMT) was working to help the woman, her husband was patting her shoulder, repeating over and over, “Honey, we made it.  We made it to Yellowstone.”

 Another story that Robin told centered around a 99 year old man who pulled up to the entrance, parked his vehicle and told the ranger at the gate that he had served in World War II and Korea, and that this visit to Yellowstone would be his last trip.  The man began weeping as he was relaying this to the young ranger, and the young man wept with him.

One of the most important messages that Robin passed on to me was that Yellowstone’s boundaries are just imaginary lines – the wildlife and the scenery don’t just begin and end at the gates.  She stressed to me how important it is for folks to realize that this entire area is “Yellowstone Country”!  Sometimes she says her heart breaks when she sees animals on the side of the highway that have been struck by cars whose drivers are in such a hurry to get to Yellowstone that they forget that in many ways, they’re already there.  Robin says that the best place to see wildlife in this region is actually the 52 miles between Cody and the East Entrance, on the highway to Yellowstone.  She says that every day, like clockwork, she sees moose.  She also sees elk, bear, bighorn sheep, deer, turkeys and bald eagles.  She said that she saw all these animals IN ONE DAY this spring!

Robin and I talked for a long time, and she had a lot more stories to tell me than what I can write in one blog, so I’ll save her other stories for another time.  For those of you who have yet to experience the wonders of Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, I hope you’ll appreciate the area as much as Robin and I do!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

What’s neat about the Buffalo Bill Dam is not only the value of the crops raised on almost 100,000 acres of now-irrigated agricultural lands, the power generated by the four electric plants fed by the Dam, and the water used for the cities and towns downstream – it’s also the historical significance of how the construction of the dam changed this part of the country.

At the time of its construction, the then-named Shoshone Dam was the tallest concrete dam in the world, at 325 feet. It cost about a million dollars at the time to build the dam, which holds back about 400,000 acre feet of water in the Buffalo Bill Reservoir. Construction was difficult – because the region was so remote, it was hard to recruit and keep workers; additional difficulties ensued because of the steep granite canyon that the dam was built in.  And the Shoshone River’s unpredictable flows caused problems – one year, almost half of the annual snowmelt runoff came through within a 30-day period, causing construction to come to a halt almost completely.

The dam was re-named about 30 years after its construction to honor the man who had the vision for the dam and resulting irrigation system, William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody.  The dam was renovated in the 1990s, adding 25 feet to its height, and a visitor center that tells the story about the dam and its effects on the surrounding area.

One of the neat stories about the construction of the Buffalo Bill Dam centers on a town that is no longer there.  Beneath the waves of the Buffalo Bill Reservoir are the remnants of the town of Marquette, established in 1890 and named after a colorful rancher by the name of George Marquette. In 1903, the town was described as “consisting of a few scattered log houses, a little log post office and a school-house described as ‘a little lot structure, rude, bare, unattractive, but occupying a lightly sheltered pot on the South Fork of the Shoshone River.’”* In 1905, in preparation for the construction of the dam, the federal government bought the town site as well as some surrounding ranches, to the tune of about $400,000.  What buildings weren’t torn down prior to the filling of the reservoir in 1910 still remain at the water’s bottom, ghostly reminders of an era gone by.

The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, which was added with the addition of the dam in 1993, has preserved the story of the construction of this historic landmark.  It functions as a rest area as well as a museum/gift shop, and its exhibits and self-guided audio tour tell the tales of the laborers who toiled to build the dam, those who lost their lives in the effort, and the townsfolk who witnessed the changes to the landscape and to their lives as a result.

The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center is a must-see when you’re planning a vacation to Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country – don’t miss it!

Until next time, I’ll be lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

*Credit the “Wyoming Tales and Trails” website at http://www.wyomingtalesandtrails.com/

1.  How far is it to Yellowstone National Park?

-  Answer:  It’s 53 miles from Cody to the East Entrance in Yellowstone.  However, once you get into the Park, you don’t run into any services until you get to Fishing Bridge, which is another 27 miles.  So don’t expect to just get in the entrance to the Park and be greeted by a friendly Yogi-type bear… you’ll have a ways to go before you can stop for a meal and a tank of gas!

2.  Is there lodging in the Park?

-  Answer:  There are some absolutely fabulous lodges and campgrounds in Yellowstone National Park, all operated by Xanterra Parks & Resorts!  (My personal recommendations:  Old Faithful Lodge and the Lake Hotel – AMAZING historic buildings!)  Reservations can be made by calling Xanterra at (866) 439-7375.  Better contact them early, though – they sell out many nights during the summer!

3.  What are the hours at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and how much does it cost?

-  Answer:  The BBHC, one of the top attractions in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, is open daily from May 1-September 15 from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.  A two-day admission for adults is $18, seniors and college students are $16, youth ages 6-17 are $10, and ages 5 and under get in free.  And believe me, you’ll want to use the two-day admission – you’ll be blown away by how huge the facility is! (And by the way, it’s open year round!)

4.  Tell me about the Cody Nite Rodeo.

-  The Cody Nite Rodeo is the longest-running outdoor nightly rodeo in the country!  Every evening from June 1-August 31 visitors will see real rodeo action, with cash prizes awarded every night.  Tickets are sold at the Visitor Center, but can also be purchased at the gate.  If you’ve got kids with you, they can get down in the arena and chase a calf around and win a prize!

5.  What else can I do while I’m here?

-  Wow, there’s so much to do!  Go river rafting; visit Old Trail Town; eat dinner at the historic Irma Hotel and take in the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue; see a gunfight; get a chuckwagon dinner with musical entertainment; shop downtown; learn about the history of this region at places like Tecumseh’s Miniature Village, the Cody Dug Up Gun Museum, the Cody Murals, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, the Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center, and the Heart Mountain Relocation Camp; go mountain biking; take a trolley tour; hike a trail in the Shoshone National Forest; fish the Shoshone River with a seasoned guide; take a horseback trail ride; the list goes on and on!

6.  What are the road conditions in Yellowstone?

-  The road conditions in this mountainous region vary based on the season or weather conditions.  My advice is to stop in and chat with the well-informed staff at the Visitor Center before you make your plans for the day – or you can call Yellowstone National Park’s dedicated phone number for road conditions: (307) 344-2117.

7.  Where can I get supplies?

-  Believe it or not, the town of Cody (population around 9,000) is the shopping mecca for the Big Horn Basin – because we have the Super Wal-Mart!  We also have a K-Mart, Walgreens, Albertsons, banking services, several pharmacies, sporting goods stores and other places to stock up on necessities before heading on down the road.

8.  Is there someplace I can connect to the Internet?

-  Many fast-food restaurants and most of the coffee shops offer free wi-fi for folks who have their own laptops.  Also, the Park County Library has a bank of computers that are available for use by the general public.  And many local lodging properties offer Internet hookups, as well.

Then there are those questions that AREN’T asked frequently.  I asked Karen Miller, who runs the Visitor Center here in Cody, to list a few of the more unusual questions that have been asked.  Here’s what she came up with:

1.  Where are the fences to keep the animals in at Yellowstone?
2. When do they let the animals out in Yellowstone?
3. Who controls the button that sets Old Faithful off?
4. How do you see Mount Rushmore from here?

Since, obviously, the animals roam free in Yellowstone, Old Faithful is “faithful” naturally, and Mount Rushmore is a good 7 hours and two mountain ranges away, these questions are always answered pleasantly and with a smile…

If YOU have questions about visiting Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, you can find out more at www.yellowstonecountry.org, or call (800) 393-2639. 

Until next time, I’ll be telling more folks about all there is to do here in Buffalo Bill’s Country…

Corrie N. Cody

One of the things that I have discovered that I really like to do is to participate in 5k races.  I’m not fast, I usually finish in the last third of the pack, but I do finish!  And for me, the most fun is not the actual running of the race, but the social aspects of the event, and the sense of accomplishment I feel when the race is over.

Another neat by-product of running a 5k around here is the incredible scenery that you’re surrounded by as you run!  When I participated in the Runner’s Stampede on July 4, the route took us to Beck Lake, which is a pretty park on the east side of Cody that affords a great view of Cedar and Rattlesnake mountains to the west.  Even MORE incredible was the setting for the Meeteetse Wagon Box Social 5k/10k/13k in June – that race was in the Wood River valley near Meeteetse, and was absolutely breathtaking!  (The scenery AS WELL AS the running part…)

I have always thought that building a vacation around a race would be a neat experience, and I know there are folks out there who do just that!  So in case YOU’RE that kind of runner, I’ve compiled a list of upcoming races in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country (and nearby areas) that you might want to consider:

Just next weekend (August 6 & 7), in neighboring Red Lodge, Montana (just 60 miles away) is the Beartooth Run and Ride – a two day event set in the beautiful Beartooth Range.

August 20^th is the Sugar Beet Classic in Powell – this race features a 5k run/walk, a Duathlon and a Triathlon!  The event starts and ends at Homesteader Park, and the iconic Heart Mountain is visible throughout the race.

The Tails and Trails 5k is a relatively new event that takes participants from West Park Hospital in Cody down to the Paul Stock trails next to the Shoshone River (the “trails” part of the race).  The “tails” part of the race refers to the fact that dog owners are encouraged to take their pets along – plus, the race is hosted jointly by West Park Hospital and the Park County Animal Shelter.

Meeteetse’s Labor Day Celebration is a HUGE event in this area, and extreme sports and running enthusiasts look forward to the Meeteetse Mountain Run, which is part of that annual event.  This race is EXTREME – I’m quoting from the Meeteetse Rec District’s web page here:  “The 5k, 10k race will run up the Timber Creek jeep trail which will be set up so the whole family will be able to participate. The 15k mountain run is an extreme race and not for the faint of heart. It continues up and around the mountain with a 2000′ rise in altitude to around 9700′, then through some of the most dramatic mountain scenery in all the Rocky Mountains. It concludes with a descent down a 1000′ mountain face. According to local mountain running legend Fred Thomas and other participants from past races, it is one of the most RADICAL FINISHES around with the makings of a classic!”  In other words, with my level of ability, I’m probably NOT going to participate in this one!

So if you love the outdoors and you love being active, consider participating in one of these fabulous events – and maybe I’ll see you there!

Until next time, I’ll be huffin’ and puffin’ in Buffalo Bill’s Country…

Corrie N. Cody

“Wild” Action!

The Cody Nite Rodeo provides “wild” entertainment every night, June through August!  It’s the longest running nightly outdoor rodeo in the country, entertaining visitors for almost 70 years.  All the traditional rodeo events are represented each night – team roping, saddle bronc riding, barrel racing, bull riding, bareback, the works!  There are even trick riders and rodeo clowns to keep the audience entertained between events.

 “Wild” life!

No matter which direction you go around Cody, you’ll find wildlife.  Heading east, you’ll see herds of wild mustangs and antelope; south, the Bighorn Sheep find themselves right at home; north, elk can be found in abundance in the Sunlight Basin area; and of course, west takes you to Yellowstone National Park, where you’ll find bison, moose, wolves, coyotes, and bears!

“Wild” flowers…

The high elevation here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country means that flowers are in bloom all summer long.  The higher the elevation, the later the flowers bloom, so even in September you’ll find a huge variety of wildflowers in every color if you take highways such as the Beartooth All-American Road.

 “Wild” entertainment!

Cody has its own “Wild West Show” that runs in the winter – it’s a concert series that has brought entertainers such as Mel Tillis, Suzy Bogguss, the Kentucky Headhunters, Asleep at the Wheel, B.J. Thomas, Billy Dean, Gary Morris… the list goes on!  This October, “Whisperin’” Bill Anderson is scheduled to appear at the historic Cody Theatre!

“Wild” rides!

The rivers are running at their peak right now, which means that river rafting is a great activity to enjoy on a hot August afternoon!  Whether you’re looking for a whitewater experience or a lazy float trip, there are several rafting operators who would be glad to help you have a memorable (but safe) river adventure!

 Until next time, I’ll be goin’ wild here in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody