Saturday, September 4, 2010

Cody/Yellowstone

I am writing yesterday today first so that I don't get confused.

Friday, 9/03 -



Took a while to get going this am because we took everything into the motel . Got the laundry done (and ironed this morning so as to not get out of practice). We visited the Buffalo Bill Historical Center in Cody - well worth it. It is basically five museums - firearms, western art, the plains people (Indians) , Buffalo Bill Cody and Yellowstone (situated on a downward ramp that mimicks the timberline down to the plains and the underground. We also had the $5 lunch special - vegetable lazagna, coleslaw and shared fruit (interesting for those whocare). In total we were there over four hours. On the way out of town we stopped at a WalMart for film and a toothbrush (I lost one again!)and then 0n to the Old Trail Town -a collections of 20 buildings all moved to this site and reassembled. It's laid out as an old town might have been. Jeremiah Johnson and some other western "personalities" are buried there as well.

For those with a map - we then drove the very scenic Rt 14/16/20 also known as the Buffalo Bill Cody Byway, (I think)on to Yellowstone. Every turn in the road is more thrilling. I know I said that before but it's true. Words can't describe and I am afraid pictures won't do it justice either.

We got to Yellowstone (the East entrance) around 4:00 and proceeded toward our hotel - the Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel at the far north of the park. We didn't get far until we came upon bison on the road. We were upclose and personal before we knew it! It's their home and they let you know it . There are very fierce looking at such a close range. We saw more in small herds and alone as we made our way north. We stopped at the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone -at both the upper and lower falls. At the lower falls the Captain convinced me to walk down to see them more closely. Had I known what was in store! - At least 8 "switchbacks" at a goodly slopedown, down, down. Granted, it was a great view, but what goes down must come up. A couple weeks ago the paramedics would have to be called, but i say with satisfaction that I (we) made it. Yes, I had to take breaks, but almost anyone would have to at 8,000ft.!

We managed to finally arrive at the hotel (built in 1937, but updated some) and got settled in. The bulb on the ceiling is one of those "darks" like in Mr. Hobbs Takes a Vacation but eventually brightens. They try to go green here - from towel usage to the soap and the recycling of water. Don't ask for an explanation. . We have one of the larger rooms on the corner so we have some cross ventilation. - no air conditioning here! No TV so we'll get along to bed.

No comments:

Post a Comment