This last week we said goodbye to Cody. Jon and I both really enjoyed our time here.
This is the Irna Hotel. It was one of the first buildings in Cody. This was built by William Cody and named after his youngest child, his daughter Irma. Jon and I had dinner here on our first night in Cody.
I am sorry to report the food was not great, I would barely call it edible. But we enjoyed the history and the charm. Every night (with the exception of Sunday) at 6:00 PM a group of characters do a 45 minute show in the street in front of the Irma. The group of volunteers do a skit for the visitors and locals alike. I can assure you - this is the happenin spot on a Saturday night in downtown Cody. They sell posters and sell reserved seating to raise money for charity. Four or five local establishments (one being the Irma hotel) sponsor the group by supplying them with the money to pay for gunpowder and other items needed for the show.
The show was corny but it did have a few spots that made me chuckle. If you find yourself in Cody Wyoming, it is a fun night out downtown. Cody is also known as the Rodeo Capital of the world. There is a rodeo every night in Cody from June through September. Jon and I didn't go, as neither of us are really into the Rodeo scene. You know the saying, "Save a horse, ride a cowboy"................. :)
This week before we left the Cody area Jon and I made a trip to the Medicine Wheel. I have to say it was an experience. Several years ago, the local Indian's were successful in stopping visitors in driving all the way up Medicine Mountain to the site of the Medicine Wheel. There is a parking lot about 1 1/2 miles below the crest of the mountain and now you must walk the rest of the way to see the Wheel.
It was a gorgeous day. The sun was shining, and it was about 68 degrees the afternoon we made our way up the mountain. The wildflowers were incredible, and the views were exceptional.
Walking up the mountain to see something that had and still has a significant "spiritual" meaning to the Indians who walked this country for many centuries before the Europeans came, well it was powerful to say the least. I feel extremely privileged to have spent a few minutes on the mountain.
We are now on the Eastern side of Wyoming, in a small campground outside of Sundance. It is where the "kid" got his name. --- "The Sundance Kid" ---- It is a quaint little town and we are enjoying the area so far.
Yesterday we took a motorcycle ride to the "Devils Tower".
This is a national monument (the first) and popular with the tourists. There are approximately 5,000 people annually who climb the face of the tower. This is another place that has spiritual significance to the Indian's. It is very interesting geographically - this is where the Black Hills meet the Grasslands. And the way that the tower was formed is still debated by geologists and scientists.
On our way back to the campground Jon took a different route and we went through a little town called Hulett. It isn't big, two streets, but was so amazing was there is not one modern building in the entire town. This is a picture of the bank. It isn't a Wells Fargo or Bank of America. It is just called "Bank".
The town was very cute and I was glad that we went through it. One thing that I have noticed in Wyoming that I don't like, is there is a Post Office in every town, even if the population is 20. I have seen it numerous times on our travels through the state. I am not sure how our Federal Government can justify spending our tax dollars to operate dozens, maybe a hundred Post Offices in towns with so few residents, especially when they are within 10 miles or so of bigger towns.
Well that isn't very patriotic criticizing our government on the 4th of July. I don't like politics or politicians for that matter and I will not use my travel blog to spread discontent. But I will say that I have not felt patriotic in some time. And I feel sad when I think of what we as American's did and still do to remain free. I saw a sign the other day - "America home of the free, because of the brave"
I can't say it better than that................. Until next week.
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