Western Swing 2013 - 14 & 15 - In Cody, WY

There isn’t much to report for Wednesday and Thursday. We spent both days at the club rally. Byron was attending functions and Martha did transcription work most of the time though she did take a break. There were technical presentations on general motorhome issues as well as a craft time. Typically, these sessions wind up dividing the group by the sexes; the men tend to go to the technical sessions and the women tend to get involved in the craft activities. For the afternoons, however, most of the participants participated in the group events. On Wednesday it was a bean bag toss tournament. On Thursday the group event was bean bag baseball.

Martha and her partner were eliminated in the first round of their competition. The team Byron was on were victors in their first game, 15 to 12 but were miserably defeated in their second game by a score of 26 to 14. The events were a lot of fun with bean bag baseball drawing a larger group of spectators. We think the crowds were present to watch one team give the other team a hard time. There was a lot of “chatter” in both dugouts in all the games.

Thursday evening was the final dinner for the rally. It was also the night of giving out recognitions and awards for the photo contest, games, door prizes, and the 50-50 raffle. In the raffle the club raised $700 for the Paralyzed Veterans.

Tomorrow (Friday) we pack up, say our “good-byes” and head toward Denver before heading on to Colorado Springs. In Denver we’ll have dinner with one of Byron’s high school classmates on Saturday. On Sunday we’ll spend the day with Martha’s niece.

Western Swing 2013 - 13 - Trip to Red Lodge

Today, June 4, was a free day at the Western Adventure of the Diesel RV Club. However, we were encouraged to pair up with other members and participate in the photographic scavenger hunt. That involved making a trip of a few hours around the greater Cody area. Tom, Sally, and we decided to go to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and then drive to Red Lodge, Montana.

This statue of Bill Cody stands at the entrance

of the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West

The first stop was the Buffalo Bill Historical Center that presently houses five museums as well as a traveling exhibit of photographs from National Geographic. Since we were only allowing ourselves two hours, our visit to the History Center was limited to the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Museum of the Plains Indians, and the Museum of Western Art.

The Buffalo BIll Museum displays many artifacts about Bill Cody, the American soldier, bison hunter and showman. Buffalo Bill received the Medal of Honor in 1872 for service to the US Army as a scout. He got his nickname as a result of a contract he won to supply the Kansas Pacifica Railroad with buffalo meat for the workers. One of the most colorful figures of the American Old West, Buffalo Bill became famous for the shows he organized with cowboy themes, which he toured in Great Britain and Europe as well as the United States. He loved the mountains and plains of the West and was involved in several ventures in his attempt to become a wealthy gentleman.

While walking from one area to the other we stepped outside

to see some of the aviary from a bird rescue center.

This peregrine falcon knows how to pose in spite

of the injured wing.

The display of artifacts and information about the life of the Plains Indians is an extraordinarily interesting aspect of the Historical Center. Many life-sized exhibits, displays of clothing (with intricate beadwork, wrapped porcupine quills, and leather), and photographs show the life of these Native Americans.

A diorama tells the story of the Plains Indians using

static displays and lighting effects. The photo shows

a tipi against the red sky of sundown.

Outside the Historical Center two men were preparing a chuckwagon

demonstration complete with food cooked on an open fire.

The trip to Red Lodge presented an interesting drive amid the semi-arrad desert, mountains, and hills. The change in elevation that we experienced was in excess of 1,400 feet. This change came on more than one occasion. Traveling north from Cody it is obvious how the area got it’s name. The yellow color of the rocks is most obvious. We were told by our host couple that even the Yellowstone River has a yellow tint.

Red Lodge was originally a coal boomtown with as many as 22 mines. It is in Carbon County just south of Billings. It grew to 4,000 inhabitants within the first twenty years of the area being opened to immigrants when a settlement was reached with the Crow Nation. The town sits in a deep valley through which Rock Creek flows on it’s way to the Yellowstone River. The creek has rapids with a slalom course marked. It also sits at the base of the Mt. Maurice in the Beartooth range.

During the Depression, many mines closed however one remained open (Bearcreek's Smith Mine) until a mining disaster claimed the lives of 74 men in 1943. At that point in time the mine was permanently closed. Many of the mine’s buildings are still standing but are not open for visitors. The town of 2,200 now caters to tourists who ski in the winter or visit Yellowstone in the summer when the road through Beartooth Pass is open.

Since we were out over lunch, we stopped at the Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar, a local restaurant we found to be an excellent place with local cuisine. We had bison burgers that were cooked to perfection. We started to eat at an establishment that had been recommended by a friend but decided on the restaurant because it had a four-star rating by Yelp. We’re glad we did. We’ll definitely eat there if in the area again. By the way, they also have a coffee bar and gift shop in the event you’re not hungry if you ever visit.

Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen & Wine Bar is an interesting

restaurant with mountain cuisine. Counter service is available

at the front of the building and table service is at the back.

The open kitchen is in the center. Good food is only

 a few steps away

The main street through town is under construction as witnessed

in this photograph taken today.

On our journey back we pulled over at one point so Byron could take

this photo of a cattle ranch where six calves were down for

their afternoon nap.

The Chief Joseph Scenic Highway and Beartooth Highway

were still not open as yet. The two form part of

a triangular link that join Cody with Cooke City

and Red Lodge Montana. When they open later this 

week they will probably look a lot like this until the nearly July.

Chief Joseph connects with Beartooth Highway, a route

Charles Kuralt, formerly with CBS, called the most scenic

highway in America; he should know since

he had been “On the Road.” Both stretches of highway are

listed as All-American Roads. Had we gone, it is unlikely

we would have seen much today because the clouds

covered the mountains with a ceiling of about 7,500 feet.

Western Swing 2013 - 12 - Cody, Wyoming

Monday - June 3

Memo to God: Will you please give us the weather like we had yesterday for today?

If you’ve followed the blog you are well aware that we’ve encountered a lot of strong winds. Well, last night and today were no exception. The wind started picking up around 10:30 PM and began shaking the motorhome in spite of the fact that all four jacks are firmly on the ground. As one might expect, along with the wind came a drop in the overnight low and a reduction in the afternoon high temperature.

All day we’ve had to be careful about opening the door to the coach that the wind wouldn’t take it right out of our hands. But, that’s how life is out here and we’re reminded that the wind is as much a part of God’s creation as the sun, clouds, lilacs, and snow-capped mountains.

Speaking of those three things, the photo (below) was taken on Monday morning. This is the scene that can be seen walking from the motorhome to our car, which is parked at the rear of the coach. It isn’t something we’re used to seeing in Louisville so we’ve been enjoying it.

What is done at a motorhome rally? Well, at rallies of large clubs there are technical and educational seminars, craft sessions, times for a variety of games, social hours where we just visit and get acquainted with other club members, eat catered meals (yes, though we all have kitchens in our units, eating as a group is one of the highlights), and have free time.

This was a technical session Byron attended on several aspects of diesel engine maintenance. Martha attended a craft session which at the same time as the technical session. In the early afternoon we both attended an excellent session on photography. Later in the afternoon, while Byron attended a session on rally planning and hosting, Martha worked at her job.

Our meals for the rally are being catered by the Irma hotel. Thus far, we haven't been disappointed. Lunch, however, isn't provided; just breakfast and dinner.

Tomorrow is a free day. Our host couple is taking us to Red Lodge in Montana on out photo scavenger hunt. We may not take many pictures but we’ll probably do a lot of talking. Fortunately, we’ve developed a warm relationship with our hosts. In addition to the trip to Red Lodge we’ll go to the Bill Cody Historical Center before we get on the road. That means we’ll have more travelogue type things to report tomorrow.

We’ll sign off tonight with another image that Byron posted on Facebook. It is one of the six rows of motorhomes at this rally.

Western Swing 2013 - 11 - Cody, Wyoming

In a previous blog, Byron mentioned about the aqueducts (water canals) built throughout this area. After looking into more information he has the following to report. Perhaps you will find it of interest.

In Wyoming, all water is owned by the State and has been managed through a priority system dating back 150 years or so. If a property has specific water rights attached to the legal description, those water rights stay with the land when it is sold. Since Wyoming is a high desert, semi-arid climate with average rainfall being 6 to 10 inches per year, water is like gold. As a result, supplemental water is needed to grow crops or keep a landscaped yard looking nice. Irrigation rights on smaller parcels are usually part of a larger water right and are generally shared with neighboring smaller parcels. There are irrigation districts that cover a larger area and oversee the water rights in that district. There is a yearly charge for the access to water. That assessment covers the maintenance of the canals and ditches in that district. Fees vary from district to district. Many times in a neighborhood with small parcels, there will be an association with a master plan to follow. As stated earlier, water is like gold in Wyoming. From the fertile ground, lush crops can be produced but only if water is available.

This morning we worshipped at the Cody United Methodist church. The congregation’s original sanctuary is across the street and now serves as an art gallery. The present facility is modern with the highly peaked roof so it can shed snow. The service was rather traditional in nature and of a semi-liturgical style. We did read the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi -- Lord, Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace -- in unison. Since they have no choir during the summer months, two women sang a very nice arrangement of the hymn, “Hymn of Promise”, by Natalie Sleeth. It was well done. We had not heard it before and later found that it was in the more recent version of the United Methodist Hymnal. The message was about being instruments of peace even in the midst of life’s storms just as Jesus offered peace when the disciples feared the storm when crossing the Sea of Galilee.

HYMN OF PROMISE

In the bulb there is a flower; in the seed, an apple tree;
In cocoons, a hidden promise: butterflies will soon be free!
In the cold and snow of winter there’s a spring that waits to be,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

There’s a song in every silence, seeking word and melody;
There’s a dawn in every darkness, bringing hope to you and me.
From the past will come the future; what it holds, a mystery,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

In our end is our beginning; in our time, infinity;
In our doubt there is believing; in our life, eternity,
In our death, a resurrection; at the last, a victory,
Unrevealed until its season, something God alone can see.

Natalie A. Sleeth

© 1986 Hope Publishing Company

The Diesel RV Club rally got underway today. The club is made up of more than 700 members spread across the southern provinces of Canada and the lower 48 states of the US. Though about two-thirds of attendees came in yesterday, the remaining one-third rolled in today. The first even was a welcome meeting with social hour followed by heavy hors d’oeuvres that followed.

In the opening meeting we were made aware that Tuesday would be the photographic scavenger hunt with different routes available for the trips. We are to divide up in to groups with two couples per carload and head out for an adventure. Since this is our first rally with this group, we’ve been assigned a couple to host us at meals and for Tuesday’s trip. We’ve decided to head to Red Lodge, Montana and make it our terminus since the suggested loop through Beartooth Pass and the northeast entrance of Yellowstone may be closed. (Late snows have kept the road closed.) Our understanding is that Red Lodge was in the middle of a coal mining area. As a result, it was a more wealthy part of the state. Though a tremendous mine disaster closed the mine nearly eighty years ago, the substantial buildings still exist or have been restored with care. We’re looking forward to the opportunity and will report with more photos, of course.

Today’s photos include two, beautiful shots that show springtime in the Cody area. Yes, spring come “late” here and doesn’t last long. Summer is right on it’s heals and is over by the week before Labor Day when fall sets in just before the long winter.

Wild flowers grow in the bed of a creek with snow-capped mountain

of the Beartooth Range in the distance.

A layer of white, limestone-like rock above layers of red rocks 

in the background. The sloping line is a downhill grade of the

railroad tracks.

We hope you are enjoying the blog of our trip. We’re aware a few of you are following and have looked on a somewhat regular basis and are appreciative.

We’ve missed the thunderstorms and tornados. We are grateful. However, we also know that those elements are a part of nature as much as the bright sunshine and other wonders we are able to behold.

Western Swing 2013 - 10 - Cody, Wyoming

If you've been following along you are aware we pulled into Cody, Wyoming yesterday (Friday). Our purpose in being here (we were first here in 2005 with Ashley and Candice) is to attend a rally of the Diesel RV Club. There is a secondary reason we are here, Byron thinks Cody is a fascinating town.

Martha too this photo this morning at 6:30. It’s the view

we’ll just have to deal with. If the image were larger

the row of lilacs among the trees could be easily seen.

Cody is named for its legendary founder, Buffalo Bill Cody. It remains as full of the Old West character as it probably did 100 years ago except for the changes with the times to stay as modern as possible. For instance, when the first commercial flights started operating from Cody, the population was just over 5,000.

The statue of Buffalo Bill Cody on his horse is like a trademark

for this area.

Cody serves as the Eastern gateway to Yellowstone National Park. That means that Cody is just a few miles away from pristine wilderness where actual buffalo can still be seen as well as elk and other species of animals.

The Buffalo Bill Historical Center houses a few museums; a firearms museum, 

a museum of the Plains Indians, and the Bill Cody museum, 

as well as a museum of Western art. It is a “must see” when

in the area.

The town has changed in the last eight years, and what town hasn’t. However, the addition of 1,000 more residents and a few more stores has been handled well. The Chamber of Commerce does it’s job well and the city’s governmental structure seems to have things under control. For a city of just under 10,000, it feels like a larger town. That it caters to tourists is the main reason. Though it’s a busy tourist town, it isn’t at all like Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, or Sevierville; all prime examples of what greed can do to an area. Cody's development has been measured and well controlled. As a result, one can feel more at ease when visiting here.

Looking westward on Sheridan Street, the main street through

downtown Cody. The mountain formation is about five

or six miles from the edge of town on the north side of

the Shoshone River.

The town attracts tourists and cowboys alike with reenactments of famous shoot-outs, restored frontier buildings, and the Cody Stampede, which the town hosts every July 4. It is their annual festival. Of course, each Saturday night the Cody Rodeo plays before an audience seeking that “Western experience”.

The historical Irma Hotel is the scene of daily gunfights

staged during the summer months.

Today was an officers meeting of the motorhome club. All the officers arrived a day in advance of the start time for the rally. This was my Byron’s first meeting with the group. True to his spirit of “can do” he stepped in to serve as the Secretary since the elected person was absent. The meeting started at 10 AM. It was noon before he became aware of the fact that the meeting would go on well into the afternoon after a lunch break. At that point he wondered what he had gotten himself into and if he’d have enough paper in his little notepad.

Thus far we've traveled about 2,000 miles. The image below illustrates the path we have taken.

Western Swing 2013 - 9 - Douglas to Cody, WY

Today was another one of those windy days. The difference was that there was some respite from the wind for about 45 minutes. When fighting the wind with a steering wheel, 45 minutes is welcome relief.

This morning we got started about an hour earlier than normal. That means we were on the road by 9 AM. Since our dogs are still on Eastern time getting them to wait until 5:30 Mountain time to wake up is a feat. They stomachs are stuck on Eastern time and they’re used to eating their first meal of the day at 6:30 AM when at home. Martha has managed to get them to hold off nearly two hours.

The wind had died down by the time we were ready for bed from the night before. However, through the night it picked up and started rocking the motorhome on the particularly strong gusts. But, since the problem awning was tied in place we had no problems.

After leaving the Douglas KOA, we saw a sign that said Douglas was hometown to the Wyoming State Fair and the Jackalope. After doing a bit of research, Byron came up with a photo.

The fictitious and fabulous Jackalope.

Leaving Douglas, WY, our route took us through Casper, WY on Interstate 25. We stopped for fuel at the Flying J. Before getting out Byron commented that we had consumed more fuel than the previous drive of nearly the same distance. After he got through pumping he entered the information into his database. The result was that our mileage was cut to 5.81 mpg. Our cumulative average had been 10.35 until the last two days. As you can see, the headwind has taken a toll on the mileage.

From Casper we headed toward a town called Shoshoni on US 20. In the middle of the small town the road takes a 90-degree turn to the right to head north through the Wind River Reservation. We saw that we’d pass on the east side of the Boysen Reservoir and Boysen State Park, which is a large, man-made lake between Shoshoni and Thermopolis.

On one overview of the large lake we could see a train on the tracks about two miles away from us. It looked like a model train from our vantage point. We could also see ahead that there were some rocky cliffs. Little did we know that after passing the dam we’d head downward through a narrow canyon. The Big Horn River flows through the canyon. On the western side of the river the railroad hugs the rock cliffs. On the east side the three lane road winds it way downward. At one point we drove through three tunnels one after another.

Tunnels in the canyon walls of Wind River Canyon

After the tunnels came three detours were road construction was going on. However, this didn't detract from the amazing beauty of the place in addition to the man-made creation of rail and road bed so people, like us, could travel through such an interesting place.

Immediately after leaving the canyon with it’s gray-colored walls, the rock ledges on the hills before us were a bright red-orange. The rock changed colors again as we came through Thermopolis, WY. Thermopolis is home to the world’s largest hot springs. The hot springs, like those in Yellowstone, have multicolored rock all around. The difference here is the fact that the pools of the springs is very large. They even have a suspension bridge built over one of the pools for pedestrian traffic.

Pools of the mineral hot springs in Themopolis.

Rainbow-colored terraces of the pools with suspension bridge.

In preparing for the trip, we had no idea we’d see the things we had just passed by. As a former friend of Byron’s used to say: “No amount of planning can make up for dumb luck.” That seems to be what we experienced.

But wait, we’re not there yet. We’re just a little over half way to Cody.

After coming into the town of Greybull we turned westward for the final leg to Cody. As it turned out, this 40-mile trek turned out to be quite interesting as well. First, we drove past the airport where the Museum of Aviation and Aerial Firefighting exists. Parked near the road is Fairchild Flying Boxcar with Canadian markings. Also on static display are nearly two dozen other aircraft including a Boeing Stratoliner and a Beech Super 18 which was used by the smoke jumpers.

Fairchild Flying Boxcar

Boeing Stratoliner (the military called it Stratotanker)

Beech Super 18

For an airplane buff, Byron thought this was an interesting find. What is even more interesting is that the town has a population of less than 2,000. Towns of this size don’t have such amenities in Kentucky.

Just before getting to Greybull and not long after leaving is where the wind seemed rather calm.

As we traveled on westward from Greybull it became obvious we were in the higher arid lands of Wyoming. The ground was much more rocky and sandy, sage brush grew all around and larger rock cliffs lined some of the way. It was also after leaving Greybull that we saw several antelope grazing along with cattle in the fields. By this point in the trip we had also crossed the original Oregon Trail in three places. It is also amazing how irrigation is dealt with in this area. Some fields are suitable for irrigating by running a large pipe around the perimeter. When necessary, water is emitted from the pipe to flow into the field. Since the field is at a slight angle and the rows plowed correctly, the water flows rather evenly over the field. Getting the water to the various distribution points is equally interesting. A system of manmade channels (aqueducts) have been constructed that meander through the area going from a high point of water impoundment. Just like gentle railroad grade, the water flows gently to the lowest point. The system calls for a cooperative effort among the farmer of the Conservation District to take only the water they need and pass the rest on to the downstream neighbors. What is common in this area is rare east of the Mississippi.

The large, rocky cliffs of the Absaroka mountains east of Cody, WY

As we came closer to Cody the snow-capped mountains of the chain in which the Grand Tetons exist could be easily seen in the distance. The views, though changing with each 100 miles of travel, remind us of the Woody Guthrie song: “This land is your land, this land is my land…”

After arriving at the Absaroka Bay RV Park, we went to dinner at Buffalo Bill’s Irma Hotel. We means the two of us and five other officers and spouses of the Diesel RV Club; the reason we are in Cody this time. Before closing this post, it wouldn't be complete without a picture of the most photographed site in Cody, the cherrywood bar and old cash register of the Irma Bar and Grill. By the way, the Irma Hotel is know as “the first hotel in the Rockies”.

Cherrywood bar and old cash register.

Thus far we’ve traveled just about 2,000 miles. It has been enjoyable and amazing. The only thing better than sharing it via the blog would be to have you all ride along with us in person. The one bad thing is that it requires a lot of sitting but it is worth it when we come upon some beautiful and/or interesting sites. We’re seeing things that can’t be seen from the air or from the side of a railroad car on a passenger train. We’re seeing things out the panoramic view of the front window of our Airstream Land Yacht XC.

This land is your land…

Western Swing 2013 - 8 - Denver to Douglas, WY

This could be getting monotonous; the high winds, that is. Is it always this windy just before June?

It is now Thursday and time to leave the Strasburg KOA for yet another KOA to the northwest. Our next layover is in Douglas, WY. It’s another 270 mile drive or about 5.5 hours of driving time in addition to rest and fuel stops.

Once we pulled onto I-70 at Strasburg we could clearly see the "purple mountain majesties" rising above the plains. Looking slightly toward the south we could clearly see Pike’s Peak. What a beautiful sight in the clear, blue morning sky! Though Byron had flown to Denver in 2010 (and driven back to Louisville), he had never seen it from the surface. And, since Martha had never been in Colorado before, this was a totally new experience for her. We both had always heard how driving toward the Rockies was exhilerating as you see the mountains rise above the horizon but we had never experienced it. This is another one of those events that has to be seen to be properly experienced. And, to top it all off, we were not seeing aspen trees.

Martha was pleasantly surprised at what we experienced driving across I-70 an on to I-25. She had always imagined that Denver, since it’s the “mile high” city would be on the side of a mountains instead of on the flat plain at the edge of the mountains. The whole Denver area is actually a collection of smaller towns and cities that butt up to one another. While the roads may have been a bit rough, it seems that they do know how to build attractive overpasses, especially stretching northward up I-25.

The deep blue band of color on the horizon is the Rocky Mountains

coming into view just west of Strasburg, Colorado

The area north of Denver is in a growth mode. From Denver to Cheyenne, Wyoming it seems that every other mile is ranch land and the other mile is filled with new houses and businesses. As to the businesses, every franchise name available can be seen somewhere along the way from a new Cabella’s to a new Walmart with a parking lot actually striped for overnight truckers and RVs. As far as Byron is concerned that Walmart should be called The Walmart Resort instead of Camp Walmart, as most RVers are prone to do. (If you don't understand the statement, ask someone that owns a motorhome).

Leaving Denver the road gradually rises to gently rolling hills and valley to an elevation of nearly 6,000 feet at Cheyenne. More pine trees were becoming more obvious on the hillsides. 

Cheyenne is the northern terminus of the extensive and fast-growing Front Range Urban Corridor. The Rockies begin to reduce in nearness to the interstate just after passing Fort Collins.

However, several miles before reaching Fort Collins we pulled into a parking area so Byron could climb onto the roof and, once again, secure the awning over the slide out. This time he pointed the motorhome into the wind. He had seen an advisory on an overhead sign stating that wind gusts could reach 55 mph and that vehicles with light trailers were advised to refrain from traveling. This time, he used some cord and also reinforced the anti-billow stop on the awning’s roller. We’re glad he did. From Fort Collins on to Douglas, WY the wind was strong from the northwest. We later found that the wind advisory for southeast Wyoming was in effect from 9 AM this morning to 10 PM tomorrow evening (Friday).

After crossing over into Wyoming and going past Cheyenne, the road continues on with a continuing rise and drop in elevation. More cattle could be seen on the large ranches and cottonwood trees were becoming prevalent. They were holding up against the wind rather successfully while we were being blown about by the gusts. We also happened upon what, to us, is an unusual sight. On either side of the road riders on horseback were herding cattle. That’s something we definitely didn’t plan to see but interesting that we did.

There was one place where we were protected from the wind. It was near Chugwater where rugged rock outcrops are clearly visible on the otherwise treeless and lonely plains of Wyoming. Sculpted by years of wind and weather, the rock formations provide an interesting contrast to the prairie scenery. The rock formations also offer a diversity of habitats, which provide homes for a variety of wildlife, including some animals not normally found on the prairie. For instance, there are rabbits, deer mice, bats, snakes, skinks, weasels, and bobcats as well as hawks and owls. Of course, we saw none but did read about them on the sign at the rest stop.

Historical marker at the Chugwater Rest Stop

In the shadows of the outcrops several people have built dwellings along the western side of the road. The outcrops, with steep cliffs of a few hundred feet, provide protection from the westerly winds.

Rock outcroppings along I-25 in southeast Wyoming. The outcroppings

are on both sides of the road with the highway being built

in what is called a basin. This is about 40 before crossing

the North Platte River.

By 4 PM Mountain Daylight Time we arrived at Douglas, WY, named for the senator of the Lincoln and Douglas debates. Douglas is a town of about 6,000 and is lower in elevation by about 1,000 feet from where we had been traveling. The drop in elevation is accomplished over a span of 15 miles or so. We coasted most of the way and felt like we were saving on fuel after loosing mileage on the climb over the 6,000-foot mark.

The KOA is quite interesting. It is one of the few open all year. There are several trailers parked here permanently serving hunters during some of the winter months. The KOA caters to horsemen, too, as there are several rings around the perimeter. In fact, when Byron was checking us in, a gentleman with a truck and horse trailer was also checking in for the evening. He had three horses with him and, yes, there was a fee for each horse to stay the night.

Tomorrow we head on to Cody, our destination in this third of the trip.

By the way, we failed to mention the temperature was 62 when we arrived. When we left Louisville the temps were around 70. In Oklahoma City it was close to 80. Will someone quit messing with the thermostat?