Aug 8, 2009 - Final day in Shell

Last night we went to the end of the week barbecue for the guests at the Hideout Ranch. Just prior to the barbecue there was a wicked wind storm that knocked out the power at the main lodge. The staff put on this amazing spread despite the lack of power. Lobster tails on the grill, elk on a skewer, beef tenderloin, shrimp....etc. This won't mean anything to anyone but my friend Tony but ... we were greeted at the door by David and Paula themselves. I had a glass of Merlot poured by David and I briefly shared our "life story" with him. All I...

Aug 7, 2009 - Shell WY The Hideout

What an amazing day! We mounted seven horses and rode about two hours through the most amazing countryside I've ever seen. We met up with some other guests for a barbeque in a cozy river valley. It was amazing. Then we headed out for an afternoon ride, it was so beautiful! We saw a rattlesnake on the trail. The kids were great. They all loved the ride and were troopers for the five hours of riding. The horses were great! We really didn't have to do much. They lead us! Plus we had Tom, Vivi and two wranglers to help guide us novice horse...

Aug 6, 2009 - Yellowstone to Shell WY (Tom and Vivi's House)

We haven't had cell service or internet access for three days...therefore no entries. Today we arrived at Joel's brother Tom's home in Shell, WY. He and ViVi are spending about 40 days this summer at their home in Shell, WY. This is really a beautiful place. Their home is beautiful and the setting is breath taking. We drove in from Yellowstone, through the mountains in the western part of WY, into Cody...a town that's all about Buffalo Bill. We ate lunch at Irma's, the hotel in Cody that Buffalo Bill built. It's the kind of town that...

Aug 9, 2008 - Shell Canyon and the Wyoming mountains

I’ve decided I’m in love with the mountains of Wyoming – specifically along Shell Creek and up to Burgess Junction. After leaving Buffalo Bill State Park, we passed Buffalo Bill Dam. AS you can imagine, everything in Cody Country is named after William. The Dam is one he lobbied for to boost the viability of his town. To get around the dam, vehicles travel through three tunnels which likely were the re-routed river during dam construction. Cody, Wy is an okay town, pretty much taken up with gunfights in front of the Irma Hotel, and rodeos...

Jun 30, 2008 - Headed East

On the road by 8:30 AM. Headed back to the park and drove through to the East Entrance. A beautiful morning and we were sad to leave. The roads were great. After we left the park there was a long, spectacular downhill drive. Had to keep the truck in second gear to assist with braking. We followed the Shoshone River through red canyons with high walls, went past the Wild Bill Cody Reservoir and through tunnels and a spectacular canyon at the end of the reservoir. Ended up in Cody, Wyoming-The Rodeo Capital of the World. During the summer...