Buffalo Bill's Blog

Vacations can be hard on a budget – that’s why I’m so glad we live in a place where your vacation dollar can go a LONG way!   There are a ton of free things to do here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, so I thought I’d highlight a few in this installment of my Top 11 List!

1.   The Buffalo Bill Dam was an incredible feat of engineering when it was constructed in 1910.  At the time, it was the tallest concrete dam in the world, and the Hoover Dam outside of Las Vegas was actually modeled after this structure!  The visitor center is free to the public (donations are always appreciated, though), and presents the history of the area as well as the construction of the dam itself.  It’s open 8 am to 8 pm from May through September.

2.  The only thing that you have to pay for is a license to experience one of the best recreational activities in this area – fishing!  The various rivers and lakes in the region are full of all sorts of species of trout, and while most fishing spots are “catch-and-keep”, there are a few that are “catch-and-release” only.  Be sure to check the Wyoming Game and Fish regulations before you drop your line in the water.

3.  Hiking is a favorite pastime for so many of the locals here, and they’re glad to share their favorite hiking trails with visitors!  From the walking trails along the Shoshone River right in Cody to the top of Heart Mountain, there are so many day hikes that it would take years to get to them all.  The folks at the Shoshone National Forest office in Cody would be glad to get you headed in the right direction, no matter what distance or how strenuous of a hike you’re looking to take.

4.  The museums in the tiny ranching town of Meeteetse and the agriculture center of the area, Powell, are full of stories and artifacts detailing the colorful history of the area.  The Meeteetse Museum features the photography of Charles Belden, and has turned its historic bank building into an exhibit, as well.  And the Homesteader Museum in Powell celebrates the homesteading families and rural life in the early 1900s.  There are also several free historical exhibits in Cody – Tecumseh’s Miniature Village, the Cody Mural Visitor Center, and the Dug-Up Gun Museum all have fantastic artifacts that highlight the historical events that shaped the west.

5.  The rich history of this region wasn’t just limited to the wild west – World War II brought an unexpected notoriety to this area, as it was the site of the Heart Mountain Internment Camp between Cody and Powell.  The Camp was the residence for 11,000 Japanese and Japanese-Americans who were rounded up by the federal government after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor in 1941.  An interpretive walking tour at the site details the history of the camp and its residents.  A new learning center is in the process of being constructed, and will open to the public in August of this year.

6.  Cody is the home to the official Wyoming State Veteran’s Memorial Park.  A group of Korean War veterans and other hard-working supporters have made what was a simple memorial to the local soldiers who died in the Vietnam War into an extensive park at the southeast entrance to the community.  The park features monuments to the veterans and the fallen from the Vietnam, Korean and second World wars.

7.  The City of Cody is noted for its extensive and beautifully well-kept park system!  The Cody Parks and Recreation department maintains nearly 300 acres of park land and almost 9 miles of trails for use by residents and visitors alike.  Some parks have tennis courts; one has a climbing wall; there’s even a well-designed skate park, in addition to picnic shelters, horseshoe pits and of course, playground equipment!

8.  If you love western art, but don’t necessarily want to pay an entrance fee to one of the local museums to view it, just stroll through downtown Cody and you’ll see some of the finest art that the area has to offer.  From photography to oil to watercolors to sculptures, the various art galleries would be glad to show off the talented western artists whose work hangs on their walls.  And don’t forget about the Cody Country Art League, which is housed in the same building as the Cody Visitor Center – it features professional and amateur artists who all have ties to the community.

9.  Adventure-seekers have found Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country to be one of the best playgrounds in the country!  From ice-climbing and cross-country skiing in the winter to mountain biking, kayaking, and rock climbing in the summer, there are incredible experiences just waiting to be had in the mountain ranges surrounding the area. 

10.  If you thought that all horses were domesticated in this day and age, wait until you take in the McCullough Peaks wild horse range!  This herd of wild horses lives just east of Cody and can be seen almost any time.  There are an estimated 450 animals in the herd, and if you’re willing to pay just a bit, there are guides in the area who have really gotten to know the individual horses and would be glad to introduce you…

11.  … but if your favorite type of horse happens to have four wheels and is gasoline-powered, all you have to pay for is a tank of gas and you’ve got one of the most frugal ways to enjoy this region.  There are five fantastic scenic loops that all begin and end here in Cody, and offer everything from wildlife viewing to incredible vistas that go on forever!

There it is – at least, everything that I could fit into 11 categories!  If you’re looking for a memorable vacation that won’t drain your bank account, stop out and see us here in Yellowstone Country… you’ll be glad you did!

Stretchin’ a buck in Buffalo Bill’s Country,

Corrie N. Cody

I like to spend a little time every few weeks featuring cool things about Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country.  And with the summer season closing in on us fast, I thought it was appropriate to shine the spotlight on one of Cody’s top attractions – the Buffalo Bill Historical Center! 

Here are my Top 11 reasons why you should visit the BBHC:

1.   Five different themes to explore.  Whether you’re into western art, the geological and scientific aspects of the Yellowstone region, firearms through the ages, Native American history, or Buffalo Bill Cody himself, there are five different wings to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center that feature extensive artifacts, stories and treasures dedicated to those subjects!

2.  Appeal for all age ranges.  Young or old, techno-savvy or old-school, you’ll find wonders galore at the BBHC.  The Draper Museum of Natural History features interactive displays that are geared specifically toward the younger crowd, and adults in all age ranges will find the displays in every museum fascinating!

3.  The 30^th Annual Plains Indian Powwow.  This event began in 1982 when just a few dancers and one group of singers stopped to participate on their way to another powwow. It has since grown to include several hundred dancers representing around thirty tribes from across the Plains, at least a dozen drum groups, about four thousand spectators, and more than forty arts vendors. The Powwow this year will be held June 18 and 19 – you’ve got time to make your plans to be here!

4.  Special exhibitions.  From photographs and stories from the Wind River Indian Reservation to arts and crafts from the Heart Mountain Internment Camp, there will be special exhibits dedicated to local history throughout the summer.  Check out www.bbhc.org to keep up with what’s happening!

5.  Learning opportunities.  Each weekday, Monday through Friday, a different educational program takes place in the gardens outside the museum. Family programs, games and art programs are each included in the price of admission!

6.  Daily programs and demonstrations.  From June 1 through August 31, each weekday and most Saturdays, there will be a Chuckwagon Cooking Demonstration in front of the Historical Center.  Sample cowboy biscuits and beans made in Dutch ovens over a fire! Cowboy music will be played live three days a week, as well, from 1-2 p.m.

7.  Family Fun days.  Once a month, BBHC educators will host a “Family Fun Day,” designed to involve the entire family in exploring all the facets of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center.  Fun Days are scheduled to be June 24, July 23 (the National Day of the American Cowboy), and August 12.

8.  Firearms… how the west was won!  If you’re into guns, the BBHC has no shortage of programs and exhibits featuring historic firearms.  The Winchester Arms Collectors Association Annual Firearms Show, including the Winchester Club of America and the Sharps Collectors Association, will be hosting a gun show in Cody July 8-10 at the Riley Arena in Cody.  This show is an affiliated event with the Cody Firearms Museum.  If shotguns are your thing, the Buffalo Bill Invitational Shootout will be August 11th through the 13th.

9.  The best of western art.  This year marks the 30th year of the Buffalo Bill Art Show and Sale.  The annual event is a fine art sale with a Western theme, offering works relating to the land, people and wildlife of the American West. Artists feature a broad range of stylistic interpretations of the West, in oil painting, watercolor, pastel, sculpture, ceramic and mixed media. The show is part of a week-long celebration of the arts in Cody, known as Rendezvous Royale, and is held the last week of September.

10.  Smithsonian affiliation.  In 2008, the Buffalo Bill Historical Center became an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, and is the only museum in Wyoming to bear that distinction. The program permits the long-term loan of artifacts from the Smithsonian’s collection, and the BBHC can also incorporate Smithsonian educational resources into curriculum development for local schools, lectures, traveling exhibitions, workshops, study tours and other programs.

11.  Plan to spend more than just one afternoon.  As you can see, there is SO MUCH to do at the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, it’s impossible to see everything in just a few hours! That’s why, when you pay your admission fee, it’s good for two days.

What a treasure we have here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!  The Buffalo Bill Historical Center truly is a must-see when you’re in the area.  For hours and admission prices, click here!

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

Corrie N. Cody

We are SO lucky to live here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country.  And it’s not just because of the scenery, and the people, and the slower pace of life, and the restaurants.  It’s because famous country singers come here to play their music!

Now, there are a lot of folks who live in the area who are pretty well-known – we’ve got artists, actors, WWE wrestlers, famous politicians, and other recognizable personalities who have homes here and live here either full-time or part-time.  Most of these people love the anonymity of living way out here in the mountains, but there are a few who are very visible members of the community and strive to make Cody the best little town in the Rockies.

One of these personalities partnered with the Park County Travel Council a few years back in order to liven up the slower winter months.  Dan Miller, who has been a television personality since the late 1980s on The Nashville Network, ESPN’s (now GAC’s) Extreme Bulls, The Outdoor Channel’s “Best of the West” series, and other television shows through the years, headlines a music show in downtown Cody in the summer, Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue.  It’s a fantastic show!  Entertaining, funny, western and country music – everyone who goes to the show just can’t believe that kind of quality and talent is tucked away here in little Cody, Wyoming.  Anyway, Dan offered to contact his big-name country-music-star friends in Nashville and ask them to come to Cody during our slower season.  And come they did!

The Cody Wild West Show series kicked off in January of 2009 with a visit from music legend Lacy J. Dalton.  She was followed the next month by country hit-maker T.G. Sheppard.  And the next month – what a show – Mel Tillis!  Since that flashy beginning, there have been a total of fifteen different acts that have put on shows here in Cody.  Gary Morris (“Wind Beneath My Wings”) was here twice, as was the incredible Suzy Bogguss (“Letting Go,” “Someday Soon”).  Others who have shown up with fantastic performances include The Kentucky Headhunters, Asleep at the Wheel, BJ Thomas and The Bellamy Brothers. 

Dancing in the street!

The concerts take place throughout Cody, although most of them are at the Historic Cody Theatre – that concert hall’s intimate quality (just 300 seats) and amazing sound make for an incredible night of entertainment!  However, for groups like the Bellamy Brothers or the Kentucky Headhunters, other venues here in Cody are put to use.  In conjunction with the Irma Hotel, last summer the Bellamys (and special guest Suzy Bogguss) played a street dance that was sold out!  And the fabulous Texas swing band Asleep at the Wheel played at the Cody Auditorium, also to a packed house, and folks were dancing in the aisles.  The high school auditorium is also a location that’s been used frequently, since it’s a better place for entertainers like Mel Tillis, with his 11-piece band!

One of the things that I think is so cool about the concert series is how impressed the performers are with the hospitality they receive while they’re here.  As a producer, Dan treats the entertainers with genuine respect and personally makes sure they’re well taken care of.  And when I talked to Dan, he said that almost as important as the concerts themselves is the feedback that he receives from the entertainers.  He told me, “I’ve known these guys for a long time, and to have them feel as strongly about Cody as I do is very rewarding to me.” 

Dan credits the people of Wyoming and Montana, who come to these concerts, for their genuine western hospitality.  The audience greets the acts with such warmth and gratitude, the entertainers themselves have been spreading the word in Nashville that Cody, Wyoming is THE place to book a show.  Billy Dean (“Only Here for a Little While,” “Billy the Kid”) absolutely loved it when he was here in January of 2010, so much so that he recorded some video with his camcorder and posted it to his Facebook page, along with some footage from the concert that was shot by the Wyoming Office of Tourism!

The best thing is, the hits just keep coming!  Dan’s good friend Jim Ed Brown will be making an appearance in Cody at the Historic Cody Theatre on April 30.  If you’re going to be in the area, be sure to get tickets – they’re a steal at just $25!  Go to http://www.codywildwestshow.com/ to get more information.

Be sure to check the web site often for updates, too – because you never know who’ll show up next here thanks to the Cody Wild West Shows!

Until next time, I’ll be dancin’ up a storm here in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody

Motorcyclists are an amazingly hardy bunch.  They ride in all kinds of weather, for miles and miles, taking a minimal amount of luggage with them, they don’t complain much, they’re as comfortable by themselves on the open road as they are with a pack of other bikers, and they aren’t generally shy about expressing their opinions… which is why we here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country were thrilled to find out that members of the American Motorcyclist Association voted the Beartooth Highway northwest of Cody as their favorite road in America!

Nearly 100 roads were listed on the ballot, and American Motorcyclist magazine tallied the votes, publishing the top 15 roads in their April issue.  Among the top roads were U.S. Highway 550, from Ouray to Durango, Colorado (#4 on the list); the Going to the Sun Road in Glacier National Park (#6); the Natchez Trace, from Natchez, Mississippi to Nashville, Tennessee (#11); and the Pacific Coast Highway, Highway 1 in California (#5).

So what makes the Beartooth Highway so popular?  Well, it is one of the highest and most rugged areas in the lower 48, with 20 peaks reaching over 12,000 feet in elevation! The road itself is the highest-elevation highway in Wyoming at 10,947 feet, and because it straddles the state line, it’s also the highest road in Montana (10,350 feet). A section of the Beartooth Highway has been awarded the National Scenic Byways “All-American Road” status – it’s a 54 mile section of road beginning 8 miles south and east of Red Lodge, Montana and ending just east of Cooke City. It was first referred to as “the most beautiful drive in America” by Charles Kuralt, “On the Road” television correspondent.

I talked to Kim Capron, who’s the Project  Coordinator for the organization “Friends of the Beartooth All-American Road.”  Folks that she has talked to have told her that there are two main reasons they love to drive the Beartooth All-American Road:

1.)  The Drama of the Drive.  Because of its elevation, the Highway provides access to high mountain tundra, amazing wildlife, and spectacular scenic vistas.  If you’re not a high-country backpacker, it’s hard for most of us to touch, see and smell and experience most of the out of the way wild places left in the world.   The Beartooth Highway provides relatively easy access to spots like that.  And let’s not forget the “switchback” section of the Beartooth Highway!  Most folks she visits with love the excitement and challenge of actually driving the Road.  The phrase “I drove the Beartooth Highway” is almost always said with a sense of pride!

2.)  Visiting the gateway communities on the way to and from a Beartooth Highway visit.  People just love to tell stories about their visits to Cooke City and Red Lodge, Montana, as well as Cody, Wyoming.  Everyone has a favorite restaurant, downtown shop, attraction, or “watering hole” in every community – and of course, Kim always hears about how friendly the people are!

If you’re planning to travel the Beartooth Highway, on two wheels or four, be aware that the road is open to travelers seasonally from May to October.  And if you want to know more about the highway and all there is to see and do, visit their website at www.beartoothhighway.com.

Until next time, I’ll be ridin’ high here in Buffalo Bill’s country!

Corrie N. Cody

I love all the diversity that Cody and the surrounding area has to offer.  There are so many wonderful attractions, restaurants, scenic routes, hotels, coffee shops and unique stores, it’s hard to single any out for recognition sometimes!  So I thought that maybe, periodically, I should just pick a genre and let my dear readers in on what’s hot…  and since David Letterman has made the “Top 10 List” almost a signature line of his own, I decided to re-invent the list as “Corrie N. Cody’s Top 11 List”!

This particular Top 11 has to do with food.  I must confess, I’m a foodie.  I LOVE to eat.  I can’t say that I’ll try anything once (the idea of munching down on rattlesnake meat or any other unusual “delicacy” featured on some of those TV reality shows just turns my stomach), but I’ve eaten at all the restaurants here in Cody at one point or another and just HAVE to feature some of the finest that this town has to offer!

1. Mexican

If you’re into Mexican food, my goodness, you have choices here!  We’ve got four locally-owned Mexican restaurants: El Vaquero, Tacos El Taconazo, La Comida, and Zapata’s.  Friendly folks at all of them, and the food is fabulous!  In order to highlight only one of them, I’ll just have to pick the most recent one that I ate at, and that was La Comida.  They’ve got a great outdoor patio that is SO fun to sit on when it’s a warm summer evening.  But let’s talk about the service – the other day I just HAD to have shrimp fajitas.  And I wanted to eat downtown.  I had to choose between La Comida and Zapata’s, which are right across the street from each other.  La Comida won, because that’s the side of the street I parked on.  I walked in, and before I even was shown to my table I asked if shrimp fajitas were on the menu.  The answer?  “They are if you want them to be!”  And they were amazing!!

2. Italian

THE place to eat in Cody for Italian fare is Adrianos.  They’ve been judged by Italian food critics from New York, New Jersey and Italy, and come out on top!  They are particularly proud of their veal marsala, baked lasagna (WAY good), and sausage alfredo.  And their décor is so cool… bistro tables by the front windows, along with western accents (kind of a “Spaghetti Western” theme), and their Tuscany Room is an Italian-accented dining room for more intimate meals.  However, if you’re in the mood for a more informal dining experience, I’d have to suggest a stop at Pizza On The Run – a locally-grown pizza chain that makes the best taco pizza you’ve ever had!!

3. Steak

It’s not Wyoming if there’s not a steak house on every block.  So to choose just one is SO hard!  I have got to go with Cassie’s, on the west strip.  Not only is the place steeped in history (the original building was owned and operated as a brothel by Cassie Waters… now THERE’s a woman who made her mark on this town), but the steaks they serve up there have been written up in magazines and newspapers, they’re so good!  The house band is awesome, too (the guy who cooks the steaks is also the bass player in the band, AND he owns the joint), so it’s a great place to dance a two-step to burn off your meal!

4. Contemporary

I am hard-pressed to choose a great contemporary restaurant, because the two restaurants in town that fall into this category are both equally cool!  The Terrace has the ambiance, the martinis, the hazelnut pasta and the pecan-crusted chicken… but the Wyoming Rib and Chop House has the most incredible glazed salmon you’ve ever tasted, not to mention the squash casserole!  (Yes, the squash casserole.  Try it.  You’ll see.)  They’re really known for their Louisiana-style ribs, the owner is a Cajun who has shared his talents and his cuisine with us rural Wyoming folk, and we are blessed for it!

5. Coffee

I swear, there’s a coffee shop in every direction!  From the Rocky Mountain Mudd kiosks at each entrance of town, to the downtown, kick-your-feet-up-and-relax places, you can find a great cup of coffee in Cody.  My personal favorite is Rawhide Coffee.  It’s got a real western flair to the interior design, there’s log furniture, small conference rooms for morning meetings, and a great location right across from the Irma Hotel.  And their delicious treats, oh, my, my… they’ve got a raspberry-lemon cake thing that will knock your socks off!

6. Sandwiches

You can never go wrong with a sandwich.  And we’ve got some great places where you can get a sandwich to suit your own tastes!  We have two Subway shops (in convenient locations – one by Albertsons and one in Wal-Mart), but we’ve got a couple of others that are locally grown.  The Breadboard is owned by a Wyoming family who created their own chain right here in the state (Buffalo, Cody and Lander), and feature railroad-themed sandwiches (the Freight Train, the Club Car).  I LOVE their sunflower bread, and their Wisconsin Cheese soup is to die for! 

7. Ice Cream Shops

While I must admit, I am a Dairy Queen fanatic (give me a pecan cluster Blizzard and I’m in heaven), I’ve got to give my ice cream shout-out to Peter’s Café, right downtown.  Not only do they serve Wilcoxson’s ice cream in any shape and size, they also offer up monster sub sandwiches on homemade bread, buffalo burgers, hot dogs, chicken salad sandwiches on a pita… and they’ve got breakfast, too!   Bagels and pancakes and eggs and bacon and… oh, my, I’m getting hungry.

8. Family Restaurants

The Sunset House, a few blocks south of the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, is a wonderful all-around restaurant – signature sandwiches and salads, breakfast buffet, dinner entrées, it’s the perfect sit-down restaurant for a family.  Try the Fandango salad – strawberries and pecans. Trust me.

9. Breakfast

I have to go with the mom-and-pop diner-style restaurant Our Place.  It’s a little hard to find, on the west strip on the other side of the highway from the rodeo grounds, but it is SO worth it to have breakfast there (if you can get a seat)!  The locals have the corner on this little restaurant most mornings – it’s not a fancy place by any means, but the food is the good, old-fashioned, sausage-and-egg-and-pancake, stick-to-your-ribs food that will keep you coming back!

10. Asian

If you’re a sushi fan, you’ll love the Shiki Japanese Restaurant!  Although I’m not the raw-fish type, I am in love with their California rolls, and in talking to folks who are sushi connoisseurs, they are (gasp) surprised to find such good sushi in Cody, Wyoming!  The pad thai is fantastic, as is the tempura chicken… you will NOT walk out of there hungry if you order that, I promise!

11. Historic Atmosphere

I know, I’ve already touched on this when I talked about Cassie’s, but I had to find a way to put the Irma Hotel on this list!  The Irma, as many of you know, was built by Buffalo Bill himself and named after his youngest daughter.  The restaurant in the hotel not only boasts a humongous cherrywood bar, a gift from Queen Victoria to Buffalo Bill, but also the best prime rib you’ll find in town!  The Cody Gunfighters hold their nightly show right off the Irma porch during the summers, and you can get a dinner-and-a-show combo package with the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue just across the street at the Cody Theatre!

There are so many more places that will offer up a unique and memorable dining experience (the Cody Cattle Company, the Willow Fence Tea Room, Heritage Bakery, Bubba’s BBQ, the list goes on!), but I promised a Top 11 list, and I’ve run out of room.  You’ll just have to come to Cody and spend a week trying all of our fantastic food joints – then you’ll understand for yourself what a great place this is to live, work… and eat!

Until next time, I’ll be… chowin’ down in Buffalo Bill’s Country!

Corrie N. Cody