Western Trip 2023 – Cody, Wyoming

August 23-29

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Cody Wyoming is one of our favorite places in the West. We stayed there in 2013 for the first time and loved it and the history surrounding the town and the connection to Yellowstone National Park, just a 1 ½ hour drive west of Cody.

Colonel William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the living legend who, at the age of 41, was one of the most famous men in the world, founded Cody, Wyoming, in 1896. A walking tour of historic downtown will take you back to the frontier days of Cody, Wyoming.

Given Cody's founders famous Wild West shows, it is no surprise that it is considered the "Rodeo Capital of the World." While passing by the Cody Stampede Rodeo Office, hear about the Cody Stampede’s almost 100-year history. This night rodeo is performed every night of the year.

I toured the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and learned about the traditions, values, and cultures of the Plains Indians people. This is just one of five comprehensive and remarkable museums at The Center. Often referred to as the "Smithsonian of the West," home to the Buffalo Bill Museum, Draper Natural History Museum, Plains Indians cultures and Cody Firearms Museum. I spent several hours for 2 days exploring this wonderful historical museum. The Cody Firearms Museum was so vast, I only had the time to walk through all the exhibits, but still was very interesting. There were other museums, but not enough time to visit them all.

I did tour a historical outdoor museum “Trail Town” which consists of a variety of historical log cabins moved to this location as a way to show visitors how the frontier people lived. There were over 30 cabins to walk through. Also several metal statues of several leaders in the frontier town.

The buildings that have changed and those that have stayed the same in downtown. The Cody Trading Company long-predated Wal-Mart as the one-stop shop for all one’s shopping needs in this frontier town. Or the Cody Post Office that has the same façade and interior details from when it was built in 1927.

Of course, there will be stories about "Buffalo Bill," his career, and his family—especially his daughter Irma who is the namesake of the Irma Hotel. The Irma Hotel in downtown is the place to visit, have a meal and drinks in the saloon. Most evenings on the street in front of the hotel, there is a “gunfight” reenactment for the visitors to watch. This historical hotel is great to walk through and see how amazing it is.

With its close proximity to Yellowstone National Park, a rich western heritage, and exciting attractions and outdoor activities, Cody welcomes hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.

 Western Trip 2023 – Livingston, Montana - Yellowstone River & Paradise Valley 

August 16 -27

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Next, we headed to Livingston Montana where we visited in 2013. This western mountain town was one of our favorites, so we decided to stay here again and enjoy the area and observe how this town had changed. We stayed at Osens RV Park, same one we went to in 2013. The campground had been updated with nicer sites and plenty of room. The new managers were very helpful and kept the park well maintained. Even though the prices also increased, it was worth staying in an RV park that had all the amenities we needed.

While exploring in town, we found more interesting places. The old Depot building is now a historical museum, centering on the pioneer movement into this Yellowstone valley. The train was originally built to bring visitors to Yellowstone National Park, as it was the only way to get there. I was so interested in this history and learned a lot from the displays in the museum. Downtown Livingston did not change so much over the years.

We spent a lot of time on the Yellowstone River shore where there was a fishing access to the river. The dogs loved playing on the rocky shores along the river. There was also some simple walking trails that we all enjoyed. There was a city park path that followed the river just north of town. Very nice park with many people walking their dogs. It was a fun time despite the overcast skies, we still enjoyed the park.

We truly enjoyed our time in Livingston, highly recommend those heading to Yellowstone N.P. to visit this great western town.