June 27, 2010

OK friends,
While in Cody we went on the scooter to the Tecumseh Trading Post Miniature Village & Museum (free) where there were many stuffed wild animals & horns on exhibit, and the town of Cody from the 1800's in miniature, with working train and audio. Museum has many artifacts and info. Next onto Old Trail Town, where the past is preserved (old buildings, fixtures, artifacts)..then 6 miles down the road thru 2 short tunnels & 1 longer tunnel to the Buffalo Bill Dam, on the Shoshoni River built in 1910 (free). Dam is in a very scenic location on the river! While we were there the weather turned colder & ominous--remember we are on a scooter--we froze going back to base. That evening we had a good chuckwagon dinner buffet & western musical entertainment at the Cody Cattle Company.
The next day after a little maintenance & shopping we took off on the 120 along the Wind River-the canyons along the river are spectacular! Got on the 20 at Thermopolis (hot springs there), saw the scenic features of Boysen St. Park & reservoir, thru Shoshoni to Riverton-a large town with all the facilities-had lunch at Taco Bell & observed many seagulls (what are they doing there?). Then it was on to Dubois, WY, the route taking us thru some very scenic hills, mntns, buttes & canyons. BTW Dubois has a giant Jackalope..we stayed the night in a city park.
Next day (Thurs) we headed to Grand Teton Nat'l Park. Beautiful drive and saw much wildlife. Arrived in Jackson, had lunch near visitor center then drove over to Jackson Hole @ the Teton Village. Nice rustic shops & inns catering to the skiers..got on the tramway 2 and 1/2 miles up to the top of Mt Rendezvous-10,400 ft- view was like no other! Could see the entire Teton range almost at eye level; many lakes, other ranges, many miles of the Snake River. Had hot chocolate at the top cafe (they served waffles there for some reason). The trip up took us over 4000 ft up in elevation-rough climbing stairs! And yes, it was pretty cold up there..After coming back down we figured we had seen the Tetons; no need to go into the park. So we left heading south on the 26/89/189/191 (they have a lotta numbers) thru yet more river rapid areas & canyons. Got a free H2O fillup at an RV park then drove a little more before stopping for the night at a roadside info/pullout area close to Pinedale. Not everyday you get to play in the snow in late JUNE!