Teddy Roosevelt called the road between Yellowstone National Park and Cody, Wyoming one of the most scenic 50 miles in American.  Can’t disagree with the man.

We left Fishing Bridge RV Park in Yellowstone, headed for the East Gate and then Cody Wyoming.  Passed more hot springs, the beautiful Yellowstone Lake and traveled through the amazing Sylvan Pass.  More sheer drop-offs, steep, twisting roads and mind-blowing scenery.  Its so hard to describe - rocky formations with sheer cliffs, weather-worn mesas, what we call hoo-doos, with rich green meadows and lacy cottonwoods, with glorious pines march up hillsides.  It constantly changes. Distant mountain ranges appear in many tones of blues and greys as a backdrop.

Just outside the East Gate we stopped at the lodge that Buffalo Bill Cody built because he was convinced of two things.  First This region should be preserved and second, that it had great tourism potential.  I find myself admiring Bill Cody more and more everytime I am exposed to the things he accomplished.  He built the first hotel in Cody Wyoming, the Irma, when it was just a few cabins, he built lodges, all manner of things.  He also sold the image of the west in Europe and across North America.  Because he rubbed shoulders with presidents and royalty he had a huge influence on preservation.

So, stopped at a dam just outside of Cody and did the walking across the top, interpretive centre thing.  This dam is significant to Jack and I because of our first trip to the area.  That year we left Yellowstone in the dark and rain.  We had no idea of the beautiful scenery, the huge lake formed by the reservoir behind the dam, and so on.  Our first inkling was when we suddenly went into a lighted tunnel, came out to sheer dropoffs on the right (the face of the dam), went in another tunnel, down a steep hill and into Cody.  It was a hair-raising experience.  This time it was wonderful.

Anyway, we arrived in Cody at what is one of the nicest campgrounds of the trip - and its right in town, 1/4 mile from the Buffalo Bill Cody Historical Centre, 1 mile maybe from downtown.  We’ve enjoyed that.  First night we went into town where you can park Rvs on the street.  The main street is 7 lanes wide, and has been since Bill Cody laid out the town.  We at Prime Ribb Buffet at the original Irma Hotel which has preserved all of the fancy woodwork, the stage horn chandeliers and animal heads on the walls. They stage a ‘shoot out’ every night - which was fun. 

Took the town bus (a little one for tourists), for a trip around Cody the next day, hoped off at the Historic Centre and spent the day there.  It was 93 degrees so the museum was lovely, not to mention a great place.  That evening we went to the rodeo.  Cody is famous for its rodeo, which goes every evening in the summer.  Most of the contestants are young, so its much more informal, and family oriented.  

Today we went to a breakfast at “Our Place” - line up outside (mostly bikers) so we had to wait, but worth it.  Jack and I decided to indulge in the local favourite, Chicken Fried Steak and Eggs.  Walked it off at Trail Town, a collection of old original cabins and log buildings preserved from the old west.  Included the Hole in the Wall cabin where some of the outlaws of the past hung out.  Big thrill for me was the blue birds that frequented the place.  Beautiful little things that gave colour to the sage/dust landscape.

Jack and I decided to relax this afternoon.  Carol and Russ ventured off on their own and went downtown.  We feel organized for the 1,500 miles or more back to Canada.  The trek starts in the morning.

Good thing I guess, Mom is down about this move, and feeling very neglected.  We need to get her settled.  I haven’t been able to call every day from the US because of the cost, so she’ll be glad when we get back to Canada.

Well must go.  I’m neglecting the old fella, so should go be sociable.

Julie