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

For those of you who have been following our weather patterns here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country, I’m sure you’ve noticed that we’re having quite an unusual spring.  Heavy snow in the high country and heavy rain in the lower elevations have wreaked havoc on how folks get around right now!

It’s been interesting for the staff at the Visitor Center here in Cody to answer questions from travelers as to how they should get to Yellowstone National Park… the East Entrance has been closed during the warmer hours of the day due to a pretty large avalanche risk at Sylvan Pass.  The warmer temperatures mean that some of the heavy snow that’s fallen lately could melt and slough off onto the highway.  During the night, and in the early morning, that snow is frozen in place, so it’s considered safe to go through.  And the National Park Service has certainly been busy trying to knock the snow off the mountain, using a howitzer that’s strategically placed to fire rounds right where the snow needs to fall from.  In a nutshell: the East Entrance is open from 8 p.m. to 10 a.m. right now, closed during the day, and you can enter Yellowstone from Cody at any time through the Northeast Entrance.  The bonus?  You get to travel the Chief Joseph Scenic Byway – what an incredibly beautiful road!

Then there’s the flooding to the north!  The heavy rains that have fallen lately have flooded parts of northeast Montana to the point that I-90 was closed for a while last week, because it was under water.  The rain has also damaged one of the roads that gets folks from Cody to Billings through Red Lodge, Montana, so travelers have had no way around a construction area that runs from Belfry to Bridger, Montana.  The good news is, you still CAN get to Billings from Cody – you just have to slow down in the construction zone!

And let’s not forget the route from the eastern part of the state getting to Cody… U.S. Highway 14A, a beautiful route through the northern part of the Big Horn Mountains, is usually closed through the beginning of June due to the amount of snow that is normally dropped on that road and the amount of maintenance it would take to keep it open during the winter.  HOWEVER, this year’s snow season has continued late into the spring, and coupled with a rock slide that covered half the road in April, is forcing the delay of the opening of 14A.  But there are a couple of other ways to cross the Big Horns, so the delayed opening of 14A shouldn’t cause anyone too many issues.  Highway 14 from Ranchester to Greybull is open year round with no issues, as is Highway 16 from Buffalo to TenSleep.  Both are beautiful drives through the gorgeous Big Horn Mountain range.

But here’s the best news of all… in a few days, the forecast is for sunny skies with temperatures in the 70s.  YEE-Haw!

Until then, I’ll be totin’ my umbrella in Buffalo Bill’s Country…

Corrie N. Cody

I was privileged last week to spend a weekend in Yellowstone National Park at the Old Faithful Inn.  What an amazing, historic place – the architecture alone is impressive, and then when you put it with the setting, oh my! 

A little history lesson, first – the Old Faithful Inn (along with the dining room and kitchen wing) was originally built in 1903; an east wing was added in 1914, and 13 years later the west wing was constructed.  The Inn was designated a National Historic Landmark in 1987. I was SO excited, I got to stay in the east wing, and my room looked directly out to the geyser!  I just sat in my room, with its fancy Keurig coffee maker and historic atmosphere, and watched Old Faithful go off.  

I was also fortunate that I got one of the rooms that actually had its own bathroom… in the original building, folks who stay in those rooms (which are rustic and beautiful) have to share a hallway bathroom!

There are a couple of neat things that I liked about the Old Faithful Inn’s common area – number one, the HUGE fireplace and wrought iron clock in the middle of the lobby!  Number two – the different balcony levels.  I loved climbing the (slightly tilted) stairs to the second level, where there’s a coffee bar in one corner and a liquor bar in the other, and look down from a comfy chair to the lobby below.  I really wanted to climb the stairs to the “Crow’s Nest”, but it was closed – due to the Hebgen Lake earthquake on August 17, 1959, there was pretty significant structural damage to the Old Faithful Inn.  The quake collapsed the dining room fireplace chimney, damaged the huge lobby fireplace, partially shook the Inn loose from its foundations, and made the upper levels of the Inn unsafe.  Bummer.

The historic dining room was great – a menu with fantastic choices (at surprisingly reasonable prices!), atmosphere, character, and above all, service!  My order was taken quickly and pleasantly, the food came right on time, and the dessert was to die for…  but they had great healthy choices, too, like mashed cauliflower in place of high-carb mashed potatoes.  I was impressed!

Being an early riser, I was privy to a rare sight – hardly ANYONE was out watching the geyser eruption at sunrise the next day.  There were a few hardy souls braving the frost-covered boardwalks, and together we witnessed the beauty and wonder of the Old Faithful geyser, lit by the rising sun.  The lobby at that time of day is peaceful, as well, and I could really appreciate the lighting and the atmosphere!

If you’ve got kids, or are a science buff, you’ll LOVE the new Old Faithful Visitor Center!  While it’s full of interactive displays explaining geysers and their effects on the ecosystem, colorful microbes in mineral pools, and all sorts of other really interesting things, the Visitor Center also boasts an awesome view of the geyser!

Living near Yellowstone, sometimes we locals take for granted the history and educational opportunities that we have right next door… so I was glad that I spent some significant time at one of Yellowstone National Park’s true treasures – the Old Faithful Inn!  Don’t miss it next time you’re in the area!

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

Corrie N. Cody

The community of Cody has always had a symbiotic relationship with Yellowstone National Park.  Folks coming from the eastern part of the country have to pass through Cody on the way to the country’s first National Park, so it’s a natural place to stop, get gas, spend the night, regroup and get ready for adventure.

The appreciation that this town has for the National Park system has been expressed for years – in part through a tradition that was started about 60 years ago by the Coe family, a prominent eastern family who had fallen in love with the Yellowstone region and made Cody their second home.  Their social relationship with the management of Yellowstone Park soon expanded to involve Cody’s business community, and soon “National Parks Day” became an annual event in Cody.  Usually held in mid- to late May, it offered both the staffers at Yellowstone, as well as the locals who have an interest in the Park, an opportunity to exchange information and get acquainted.  These days “Parks Day” incorporates an evening reception, business meeting and community lunch.  And it’s not just Yellowstone National Park that is recognized anymore – we also invite the Superintendent from Grand Teton National Park, the Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area and the Shoshone National Forest to participate in the event.

While the majority of those who live in this region are grateful for the close proximity of the natural wonder of Yellowstone, much of this “symbiotic” relationship with the Park involves contentious issues that can create tension between the National Park Service and the locals.  Case in point – the headlines in the local papers right now are all about the number of snowmobiles allowed in the park during the winter.  The National Park Service wants to reduce the number allowed per day so as not to stress out the animals in the Park.  The locals want to increase the number allowed to boost the winter economy.  The locals, as well as others who have enjoyed winter in Yellowstone in the past, are frustrated because the Park Service won’t allow snowmobile trips into the Park without a guide, but those licensed guides are few and far between and can be expensive.  The Park Service is concerned about the safety of snowmobile travelers through the East Entrance because of the number of avalanches that occur at Sylvan Pass – as a result, the pass closes unexpectedly when there is avalanche danger.  That also impacts snowmobile travel through the East Entrance, because a scheduled ride into the Park could be cancelled at the last minute.

But the benefits of being neighbors with the Park Service far outweighs the issues – we locals can drive an hour down the road and be in one of the most geographically amazing locations on the planet!  The wildlife and scenery that we experience on the way are an added bonus.  Plus, we get the benefit of meeting so many of the folks that stop over here on their way to Yellowstone – so much of our enjoyment of the tourist season comes from the delight that our visitors feel just being here.  The joy just spreads!

So this May 23^rd, we’ll be meeting with the caretakers of our public lands during “Parks Day”.  Because of our National Parks, we are privileged to host visitors from all over the world – we hope to see YOU soon!

Lovin’ life 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