Buffalo Bill's Blog

Winter has come to Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!  We’ve had a couple of good snowstorms this year, and as I write, the snow is falling outside my window.  I’ve got a fire in the fireplace and a hot cup of tea… what a cozy day!

But if the idea of snow shifts your attention to what you can do outside, then there are countless hours you can spend enjoying the fresh air and sunshine here!  Skiing, snowshoeing, skating, wildlife watching – you name it, it’s here.  From Yellowstone National Park to the Beartooth Mountains to the community events happening this winter, there’s no end to the ways you can enjoy winter.

Consider this – Cody is home to the Yellowstone Quake Junior A Hockey team, and they’ve got home games clear through February!  January 13-15 and 19-21, and February 3 and 10-12, come on down to the Riley Arena for some fast paced hockey action.

One of the best places in the world to go ice climbing is right here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!  Every February for the past 13 years, we’ve hosted ice climbers from all over the country who gather for the Waterfall Ice Festival.  The falls on the South Fork of the Shoshone River are incredible, and if you’d rather watch than climb, there are several spots along the road where you can view the climbers’ progress.  Contact Don Foote at 307-899-9937 for more information.

And of course, there’s Cody’s own ski area, Sleeping Giant.  The folks who run this community-owned ski hill have worked hard to create fun events for the entire family.  For example, March 9 Sleeping Giant is putting on a “Buffalo Jump”, and a Calcutta the next day.  The prices are amazingly reasonable, and the crowds are minimal.  Join the fun!

Meeteetse has its own winter festival – the 4^th Annual Ice Fishing Derby is February 18 and 19, and folks from around the region compete to see who can pull the biggest and best fish out of Sunshine Reservoir.  There’s a chili cookoff, hot drinks, and warm-hearted people to balance out the winter cold.  To get more information, contact Meeteetse’s Visitor Center at (307) 868-2454.

And if you’re more inclined to stay inside during these warm winter months, we’ve got more than enough to keep you busy.  In addition to our Buffalo Bill Historical Center, which can entertain anyone for days, and the newly opened Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center, there are community concerts, the Missoula Children’s Theatre will be in town in January, and Northwest College’s Jazz Festival takes place at the end of February.  For a detailed calendar of events, visit our website.

If you’re visiting from out of town and are looking for a great getaway ideas, the www.yellowstonecountry.org site has a “Travel Deals” page that lists all sorts of really cool packages – places to stay while you play here in the winter.  Check it out!

I guess it’s time for me to warm up my tea – mine has gone cold as I’ve been writing this.  I hope to see many of you taking part in the many fantastic events going on here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country this winter!

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

Corrie N. Cody

I went home to the Midwest this last weekend, and was struck by how close together the towns are back there compared to out here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country!

When I talk to visitors, one of the common topics of conversation is “Gee, how do you handle the isolation?”  Folks are so struck by the distances between communities out here.  I have to admit, when we first moved out west, it was a little hard to get used to – where I’m from, there’s about 3 miles between little towns… out here, there’s at least 15-25 miles between towns!

The fun part about that is that there is such diversity between towns here, where back east it seems one town kind of runs into another.  For example, Cody really feels like a western town – Old Trail Town, the Irma Hotel, the nightly gunfights in summer, the western-themed downtown shopping… they all contribute to the wild west feel that Buffalo Bill Cody set the scene for when he envisioned this jumping-off point to Yellowstone National Park.  In contrast, Powell is very much an agriculture-based community, and also is home to the only community college in northwest Wyoming.  Meeteetse, to the south, is a small ranching town with boardwalks, a local museum and a couple of old-fashioned bar and grill restaurants.

And there are such stand-out features and attractions in each town!  Cody’s Buffalo Bill Historical Center draws visitors to the town all the time – many visitors I’ve met have remarked that they had passed through Cody years before and had always meant to come back to spend time at the museum.  Viewers of RFD-TV watched Dan Miller and his daughter Hannah on “Larry’s Country Diner” in April, and made their plans to come to Cody to see his Cowboy Music Revue based on that!  And, of course, most everyone has planned a trip to Yellowstone National Park, either as a child, or as parents who want their children to experience the wild west here in Yellowstone Country.

Then in Powell, there’s the Homesteader Museum, celebrating and preserving the way of life that brought settlers to this part of the country.  There are farm and ranch tours available through the Powell Chamber of Commerce for those who want to get an in-depth look at the agriculture industry that shapes this region.  And there’s Northwest College, which is the cultural center to the community.

Meeteetse, by contrast, is a throwback to a simpler way of life.  As the central gathering place for local ranchers, Meeteetse’s most high-profile business is actually a fancy chocolate shop!  The Meeteetse Chocolatier, Tim Kellogg, has been a working ranch hand and rodeo cowboy for years, but in the last few years has become world-renowned for his amazing chocolate confections and pastries.  If you stroll the boardwalks in downtown Meeteetse, you can enjoy your chocolate truffle while sitting on a quiet bench near some potted flowers, watching the traffic go by… then step into the Meeteetse Museum, where they have preserved the history of ranching in the Meeteetse area (complete with a brand new display dedicated to the re-discovery of the Black Footed Ferret 30 years ago on the Pitchfork Ranch).  Have lunch at the Elkhorn Bar and Grill, and feel like you’ve stepped back in time 50 years.

And then there’s the benefit of the beautiful drives between towns!  Drivers from Cody to Powell are under the constant watch of the impressive Heart Mountain – which also lent its name to the Heart Mountain Interpretive Learning Center between the two communities (the Japanese American Internment Camp during World War II).  And the drive from Cody to Meeteetse is filled with turns and hills that lead you to the beauty of the mountain foothills where Meeteetse is nestled. 

So, despite our “isolation” here, each community has a uniqueness that makes it stand out – and makes it worth the trip!  I know I’m sure glad to live here…

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

Corrie N. Cody

Living out here for as long as I have, I have been privileged to see how important our western heritage is to the residents of Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country.  From the ranchers who are still living the western dream, to the local organizations raising funds to restore historic buildings, to the shopkeepers who make sure that visitors get that “western experience” – the folks who live here appreciate every day our unique place in America’s history!  And for those of you who have visited here or are considering a trip this direction, there are so many attractions and activities that celebrate our American heritage:

OLD TRAIL TOWN

This collection of authentic buildings (the original buildings, not just recreations) brings to life what the area was like in the late 1800s!  Step onto the boardwalks at the original town site of “Cody City”; wander into a saloon that was frequented by outlaws like Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid (and visit a cabin that they used as a hideout); see the log cabin that a Crow scout for General George Armstrong Custer used as his home; take in the vista of the plains as they meet Cedar and Rattlesnake mountains west of town. The Museum of the Old West holds artifacts from an era that isn’t as far gone as you’d think.

BUFFALO BILL HISTORICAL CENTER

When you pay your admission fee to the BBHC, it’s good for two days – there’s a good reason for that!  This “Smithsonian of the West” houses an incredible collection of displays that highlight five different cultural genres:  the most extensive collection of firearms in the world, an amazing museum devoted to the heritage of the Plains Indians, a wing that explains and highlights the natural history of the Yellowstone region, a collection of artifacts that showcase Buffalo Bill Cody’s extensive and colorful show business career, and a world class museum of western art.

MEETEETSE MUSEUMS

The tiny town of Meeteetse, Wyoming is home to a museum that boasts several unique, permanent collections – displays that highlight the Wild Sheep of North America, the Meeteetse Mercantile, the Black Footed Ferret, Little Wahb the grizzly bear, and the Charles Belden Photography Collection.  There are also several annual field trips sponsored by the Meeteetse Museums to hard-to-reach ghost towns – these excursions really show how wild the west truly was!

HOMESTEADER MUSEUM

The community of Powell, Wyoming is proud of its agricultural heritage – and the Homesteader Museum tells that story.  The Museum’s collection includes over 5,000 artifacts that celebrate turn-of-the-century homesteading and rural life – from house work and farm work to merchants and business, the Homesteader Museum is dedicated to the preservation of this area’s rural heritage.

HEART MOUNTAIN INTERPRETIVE LEARNING CENTER

Opened just last month, the new Learning Center at the site of the Japanese-American Internment Camp from World War II shines a light on a dark period in this nation’s history – the sequestration of Japanese-Americans after the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941.  At one time, the Heart Mountain Internment Camp was the third-largest community in Wyoming, and the new Learning Center depicts what life was life for internees who had been uprooted from their homes and businesses on the west coast and relocated to isolated camps throughout middle America simply because of their race.  Although this is not a “wild west” attraction, it is an important nod to another, equally important era in American history.

There are so many other fantastic places in this part of the country where you can step back in time, such as the Dug Up Gun Museum; Tecumseh’s Miniature Village; the evening gunfight in front of the historic Irma Hotel; the various western stores and shops in downtown Cody; the songs from decades gone by at Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue in the historic Cody Theatre; the wild western adventure of the Cody Nite Rodeo; or standing at the top of Dead Indian Pass and gazing at the incredible vistas that haven’t changed for eons… WOW!  I hope you’ll consider making your next vacation a trip to Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country – it’s a real step back in time!

Lovin’ life in Buffalo Bill’s Country,

Corrie N. Cody

I’m really fortunate in that I get to visit with lots of folks as they come through Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country.  It’s funny, though, how many people ask the same questions!  So I thought I’d run down some of the more frequently asked questions and give you the answers, so you’ll be in the know when you come to visit!

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

Yellowstone is having its third biggest season on record!  Isn’t that great news?  You would think so… but I guess it all depends on how you view the world.

Personally, I don’t complain much.  I see the world as a pretty sunny place – I look for the light rather than the shadows.  That’s why it bugs me when I see news headlines or hear people talk about the negative side of an issue that can be so positive!

Take, for example, the latest visitor numbers coming out of Yellowstone National Park, which show a decrease in visitation by about 5% compared to 2010.  Sure, there aren’t as many people who entered the Park as there were last year, but it’s tough to compare this year to last!  2010 was a HUGE year for visitation in National Parks.  Much of the reasons for the increase were attributed to people staying closer to home, looking for less expensive locations to take their families, and a national park vacation costs quite a bit less than a trip to, say, Disneyworld!  So, in comparison, numbers coming down slightly in 2011 should NOT be cause for concern.  It has been an unusual year for tourism, that’s for sure, with attendance at attractions such as the Cody Nite Rodeo and the Dan Miller Cowboy Music Revue at or slightly above last year’s numbers, while others are down a bit.

One element that has worked against the region when it comes to tourism and travel this year has definitely been the weather.  With the huge amounts of snow and wet conditions in Yellowstone and the nearby mountain ranges, roads were closed and there were significant delays for travelers.  As a result, there was no way to even get into the Park through the East Entrance for quite a few days at the beginning of June… so a decrease in visitation through that entrance makes perfect sense, and does not indicate that fewer people CHOSE to come to Yellowstone – they just couldn’t get here!

In the grand scheme of things, Yellowstone National Park (and, along with that, Cody/Yellowstone Country) will always be a destination for families looking to re-connect with the natural wonders of this world we inhabit.  So for all of you worry-warts out there… quit frettin’!

Still smiling in Buffalo Bill’s Country,

Corrie N. Cody