• By removing some of the forest surplus, room becomes available for other plant-life.
• Minerals that are otherwise trapped in wood are released in the soil during a fire.
• Fires are rarely suppressed, since doing so diminishes plant diversity and minerals remain locked up or released more slowly.
• Various plants in Yellowstone, such as lodgepole pine and aspen are adapted to fire.
• Burned pine bark provides nutritious food for elk

Most of all fires, 80% to be exact, are naturally started. Since many of them are started by the natural cause of lightning, we suggest not testing the “lighting never strikes the same place twice” theory. The dry seasons also affect considerably the amount of fires spread throughout the park. The summer of 1988, labelled the Summer of Fire was the park’s driest season ever recorded. It also brought the largest fire-fighting effort in the United States at the time:

• The first fire, Storm Creek Fire, began June 14 1988
• Over 793,000 acres of the park were affected by fire.
• 9 fires were caused by humans, 42 fires were caused by lightning.
• 250,000 people participated in the fire-fighting effort
• 300 large mammals perished during the fires

As mentioned, fires are rarely suppressed in order to maintain a balance in structure and composition. Extinguishing fires are called for when becoming a threat to the park’s structures and communities. After mid-July, an order was issued to ensure that all natural fires be suppressed. In a twist of events, the 1988 fires brought new opportunities to research the fires’ significant impact on the park’s natural environment. With the changing of the weather and the increase in lightning strikes, there will always be a job for Smokey the Bear at Yellowstone National Park.

Visit the Yellowstone Center for Resources for Mary Anne Franke’s Yellowstone in the Afterglow: Lessons from the Fires

Big Facts on Yellowstone National Park
• Yellowstone National Park is the first national park, and the second largest national park in the United States.
• Yellowstone National Park measures 2,221,773 acres.
• Yellowstone Volcano is one of the largest active volcanoes in the world.
• The highest point in the park is Eagle Peek at 11,358 feet.
• With approximately 300 geysers, the park holds the largest concentration of geysers on earth.
• Largest protected population of wild mammals in the United States.
• Shoshore Lake is the largest backcountry lake in the park.
• At 7,733ft above sea level, Yellowstone Lake is the largest high elevation river in North America.
• Old Faithful eruptions can blow steam up to 184ft vertically.
• The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone is approximately 10,000 years old, 20 miles long, 1,200ft deep and approx. 2,500 ft wide.
• The lodgepole pine tree can reach heights up to 75ft.

Follow up with information on things to do in the Yellowstone Park and you’re set to go. Perhaps you’ll reconsider your extravagant purchases and look for solace and a one of a kind experience in the park’s wondrous landscapes. Remember, bigger and better!

Billy the Kid
Born Henry McCarty and sometimes referred to as William H. Bonney, our famed “gunslinger” was often described as charismatic and well-spoken but with a violent attitude. But with the help of dime novels over exaggerating his exploits, Billy was accredited with nearly 21 killings when in fact, it was only four. As they say in the modern world of print media, don’t believe everything you read!

Butch Cassidy & the Sundance Kid
Notorious bank and train robbers and ring leaders of the Wild Bunch outlaw gang, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid led a per se successful criminal life, becoming America’s most wanted criminals. After establishing their fame in the Old West, the outlaw duo set their sights on Argentina and fled the country. A few bank hits later and Lady Luck’s flame began to burn out. They became western desperados and, according to one theory, perished at the hands of the Bolivian police. Oh how the mighty have fallen!

Jesse & Frank James
Jesse and Frank James are likely to be the most widely celebrated Western bandits in American history, though much of the attention was focused on young Jesse James ( just ask Cher). Beginning their aspiring career as murderers and robbers as a pair, their lives eventually went separate directions. Jesse James was shot from behind by Robert Ford as he turned to straighten a picture frame. Frank surrendered to the authorities but was never convicted so he led a happy life as a happy farmer. The moral of the story? Don’t turn your back on people.

Black Bart
Charles E. Boles, dubbed the Black Bart by local newspapers, was the fearsome robber of the Wells Fargo stagecoach who demanded the loot in such a courteous manner and occasionally left a poetry verse behind. His years of crime finally came to an end when Wells Fargo pressed charges after, what would be Black Bart’s final robbery and was sentenced to 6 years in jail. When his sentence was served, his health had deteriorated, ultimately ending his passion for crime. And that’s what I call poetic justice.

BELLE STARR
To Western history, Belle Starr is synonymous with women outlaws. She always carried two guns, was certainly rough around the edges and definitely had her share of bad company. However horse theft and harbouring other fellow outlaws hardly seems to fit the job description as Queen of the Bandits. To each their own!

THE #1 WOMEN IN THE WEST
Notoriety comes with a price and these ladies show us that coming first isn’t always something to brag about.

Leading a life of poverty, Pearl Hart robbed a stagecoach, becoming the first woman to do so. She also got caught, which meant she became the first female prisoner. Desperate situations call for desperate measures.

Cattle Kate was the first woman to be hung in the state of Wyoming. Unfortunately the only crime she ever committed was not fulfilling the ideal image of feminine Victorian grace.

The story of Cattle Annie & Little Britches shows us that the influence of the opposite sex isn’t something new. Meeting members of an outlaw gang only fuelled and ignited a love for the outlaw lifestyle. Passion for crime or a crime of passion?

THE WOMEN OF THE WILD BUNCH
Although these ladies were affiliated with one of the West’s most notorious outlaw gang, the Wild Bunch, they weren’t quite what you would call femme fatales, seducing their lovers into bank and train robberies. On the contrary, the women of the Wild Bunch gang were themselves seduced into the life of the outlaw. Some, like Etta Place, would stand happily beside their man and others, Laura Bullion and Annie Rogers would lend a helping hand. Guilty by association or selling your soul to the devil?

 THE WOMEN OF TRUE INDEPENDANCE
Whether it’s Calamity Jane wearing men’s clothing while chewing tobacco or smoking cigars and swearing profusely or Annie Oakley knocking off the ashes of a cigarette with her sharpshooting skills and becoming a philanthropist for women’s rights, genuine independence came in various forms in the Old West. Refusing to conform to what would soon become the stars of Tide and Bounce TV commercials, these gals found their identity as they rode into the sunset.

In the Photo
Calamity Jane at Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show
PHOTO COURTESY SD STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

It’s just you and a world of opportunities.
In the early days of autumn, the flocks of summer tourists have packed up left, leaving you with the undisturbed quietness of the Grand Canyon, the trickling sounds of the Upper and Lower Falls and the wind rustling through the leaves of golden aspen groves. Paints a pretty picture doesn’t it?

Beauty knows no rest.
Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs, over 300 geysers, hot springs, rock caves and rushing waterfalls will still be around when the temperature drops. When you start layering up, Yellowstone sheds its summer coat and radiates in hues of reds, yellows and oranges.

Wildlife ‘round the clock.
Rain or shine, Yellowstone will always be in touch with its wild side. Mid- to late September sees an increase in wildlife activity, where you’ll see various mammals begin to sport trendy winter coats and bears get a little rounder as they get ready for hibernation.

Photo ops galore!
With the added flurry of wildlife action, the golden hues of aspen groves and the characteristic natural beauty of the park, you can understand how Yellowstone National Park becomes a photographic paradise when the fall season announces its arrival. Disposable or digital, Yellowstone is ready to pose for all types of cameras.

When we stop tripping over thoughts of days spent raking leaves or shovelling snow is when we truly appreciate the beauty of autumn. There are plenty more perks to visiting Yellowstone National Park during the changing of the season. Take the time to discover them. Remember, the only difference is a few extra layers of clothing!

First and foremost, who is Dan Miller? Well, in a nutshell, Dan Miller, along with his band mates, plays authentic American West music while dabbing in some cowboy poetry and comedy for a little variety. Dan also has a very colourful background, filled with opportunities in producing television series, infomercials, commercials and T.V. specials.

Catch The Cowboy Music Revue with Dan and his “Empty Saddles Band” at the historic Cody Theater and enjoy an evening of poetry, comedy, and a variety of traditional western, bluegrass and gospel music. The live show takes place May through September, Monday through Saturday at the Cody Theater at 1171 Sheridan Avenue. The cost is $14 person and the box office opens at 7:30pm.

For more information on Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue, visit http://www.cowboymusicrevue.com/

Levi Strauss & Co. Est. 1853
Grab a pair of Levi’s®501® jeans and proudly wear a little piece of western history. Born in Bavaria, immigrating to New York with his family and looking to make his fortune during California’s gold rush economic boom, Levi Strauss is the grand-daddy of blue jeans. With the help of his dry goods business and the talents of Nevada tailor, Jacob Davis, the blue jean was born!

Wells Fargo & Co. Est. 1852
During the Gold Rush Era, mail delivery services, banks, express agencies and stagecoach companies were being driven out of business by one single rival company: Wells, Fargo and Company. Established in 1852 by Henry Wells, William Fargo and others, the company’s services came through for gold miners, offering to bank or buy gold, sell paper bank drafts and rapid delivery of gold! Today, Wells Fargo & Co is now catering to us 21th century miners.

John B. Stetson Co. Est. 1865
They say a small investment brings big return and John Batterson Stetson is a true testimony of the old saying. With one hundred dollars, $10 worth of fur, a small room with tools and the “hatting” skills passed down by his father, the John B. Stetson Hat Company was born and the hat that would define the cowboy look for years to come; The Stetson, the Hat of the West or the Boss of the Plains

In Yellowstone, the National Park Service reports:
• 67 different mammals
• There are possibly 500 to 600 black bears in the greater Yellowstone area
• Gray wolves were restored in 1995; more than 370 live in the greater Yellowstone ecosystem
• There are 7 species of ungulates – elk, mule deer, bison, moose, bighorn sheep, pronghorn and long-tailed deer

Many guides and outfitters in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/ Yellowstone Country offer memorable Yellowstone wildlife tours, where you’ll discover the animals of Yellowstone National Park on a guided learning adventure. For some ideas, check out the Yellowstone Safari Co. and the Flying Pig Adventure Company.

Whether you’re looking for a remote campsite or a campground with full hook-ups for your family vacation, there are many spots to choose from including commercial campgrounds, a state park, national forest and Yellowstone National Park. For camping opportunities in Yellowstone National Park, contact Xanterra Parks & Resorts. They handle all reservations for in-park lodging, four campgrounds and the only RV Park inside Yellowstone. Take a look out of list of featured campgrounds and RV Parks in Cody/Yellowstone Country.

Cody campgrounds and RV parks are usually open for business from early May until mid-September. Though this may seem like plenty of time to plan a summer camping getaway, keep in mind many campgrounds have limited spots and some may restrict RV lengths. Always call ahead and confirm availability.

To successfully plan for a full day of trailblazing, make sure to leave in the morning; even when the sun is just peeking past the horizon. This will ensure that you have all the time in the world to stop and stretch, stay in one spot longer or keep a leisurely pace. The last thing you want to do is bike a great distance, realize you’ve gone too far and you’ll be back only in the wee hours of the night. Allow yourself the time to fully appreciate the full country landscape of forests, valleys, canyons and mountains.

If you’re looking to enjoy an afternoon of bicycling, explore the trailheads that are located inside the city: Beck Lake Park, Red Lakes and the Paul Stock Nature Trail. Adrenaline junkies will find their fix in the mountain trails of the Shoshone National Forest. For more details on biking options, get your hands on a copy for The Cody Mountain Biking Guide, available at the Cody Country Chamber of Commerce or Absaroka Bicycles.