Couchsurfing in Cody, Wyoming (Redux)

Cody, Wyoming - Urban tame deer trying to shake me down for food

Couchsurfed at a place in Cody, Wyoming. My hosts were extremely friendly, knowledgeable about Yellowstone, and even made me pancakes! Cody has several herds of protected deer that inhabit the city streets. Upon arrival, one showed up and started eating the landscaping 5 feet away! Here’s what roadtripping in a small car like my Ford … Read more

The Irma Hotel (Redux)

The Irma Hotel in Cody, Wyoming

Made a quick stop at the Irma Hotel (and Restaurant and Grill) in Cody, Wyoming courtesy of a comment on another post from my friend Vicki. Plaque on the exterior denotes it’s importance on the National Register of Historic Places. Per Wikipedia: “Cody is named after Buffalo Bill Cody for his part in the founding … Read more

Bighorn National Forest – Tensleep Canyon Interpretive Site (Redux)

Bighorn National Forest - Tensleep Canyon Interpretive Site

Final stop for me today on the Cloud Peak Skyway National Scenic Byway at the Tensleep Canyon Interpretive Site pullout. A sign adjacent to the pullout details the Leigh Creek Monument, a stone construction left atop the cliffs in honor of English nobleman Gilbert E. Leigh who perished by falling 100 feet off the cliff … Read more

Bighorn National Forest – Powder River Pass (Redux)

Bighorn National Forest - Powder River Pass and driving the Cloud Peak Skyway National Scenic Byway

Continuing my drive along the Cloud Peak Skyway National Scenic Byway heading west towards Yellowstone and have reached the highest point on US-16 at Powder River Pass (sometimes shown on the maps as Powder River Interpretive Site or Powder River Pass Summit). There are some remnants of snow on the road apron which I assume … Read more

Bighorn National Forest – Loaf Mountain Overlook (Redux)

Bighorn National Forest - Loaf Mountain Overlook

Continuing my drive towards Yellowstone, now along the Cloud Peak Skyway National Scenic Byway. Making a quick stop at the Loaf Mountain Overlook to check out the scenery of the Bighorn National Forest. An informational sign titled “Forest Mosaic” detailing timber harvesting practices, and a diagram of the peaks including Loaf Mountain, Bighorn Peak, and … Read more

Buffalo WY Sign / Bighorn Mountains Scenic View (Redux)

View of Bighorn Mountains from roadside pullout on I-90 outside of Buffalo, Wyoming

Leaving Devils Tower I checked weather for Yellowstone and it’s too cold to tent camp with my current gear (lows in 10’s/20’s).  Threw out a last minute request on Couchsurfing.com and was answered by a guy in Cody, WY which is only an hour drive to the park for tomorrow. Much of the drive is … Read more

Devils Tower National Monument

Crossed into Wyoming to see the Devils Tower (aka Bear Lodge, the true / non-whitey appropriated name).  Did the 1.3 mile Tower Trail which was very peaceful.  If you ever do this yourself, find a bench and wait for all people to leave your sight.  Listen to the wind through the trees and enjoy the … Read more

Belle Fourche, SD

North of Deadwood in the town of Belle Fourche, SD there is a monument for the geographical center of the US (factoring in AK and HI).  Also they have preserved the first house ever built in that town and it turns out he was from Wisconsin.  The tour guides were volunteers and provided me with … Read more

Mount Moriah and more Deadwood

Visited the Mount Moriah Cemetary where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried.  I’m not a graveyard geek but this would be an excellent final resting place.  View overlooking Deadwood. Some photos of the Starlight casino displays as well.  Kevin Costner owns the joint if you can’t tell.  And a few of Main Street and … Read more