We're in Wyoming, guess we're not going to see a Prius here.

Jackson is a village of 9800 people. Much of the land is owned by the Feds and is protected. So everyone is crammed between mountains. This time of year, 50,000 ( that's not a typo) pass thru this village. Our lodge was just north of Jackson. Our dining spot was 1.6 miles south. Took us 48 mins to reach the restaurant and that's with Ms Google Map trying to route us around traffic.

Jackson scenes:

Driving into Jackson

Snake River

What a Difference a Day Makes

Arriving at the Tetons, Tuesday, this was our view. There were moments we couldn't distinguish between clouds and mountains.

Wednesday view

Driving to or among these mountains is like driving into a postcard. It's almost surreal. Directly east is an almost flat high desert. The mountains come from the desert floor; upwards to 10,000-12,000'.

Yellowstone

Every mile of this park requires more superlatives than my vocabulary contains. According to PB, 1/2 of America must agree with me, as they're all here. Took us 45 mins to go 2 miles past the geyser basin and Old Faithful.

Be that as it be - this park is breath taking. We can't remember how many times we've visited - 4-5 x's - I'm so glad we came back.

The road to the park from Cody has the most fantastic formations.

Yellowstone River and fireweed:

Lots of buffalo

Yellowstone Falls - back in the day, with 2 teenagers in tow; we hiked the trail to the falls. The return hike; all uphill, remains a "What we're we thinking???" This time we settled for peering over the top.

Yellowstone Canyon is 20 miles long.

We notice the smoke isn't as bad in the early morning. By 11am, we are peering thru a smokey haze; eyes burning and feeling as if there isn't quite enough air to breathe.

Early morning also meant the park isn't as crowded. We found parking and the trails and lookouts are easily accessible. A big % of our fellow park visitors are Seniors.

Found a lovely picnic area.

Starting the southern part of our planned loop, there were more creeks, geyser basins and many people. Decided 1-2pm is a good time to call it a day.

Our next stop is The Tetons, just south of the park. As we approached, so much smoke it was hard to distinguish between mountains and clouds.

Buffalo Bill Day

It was Buffalo Bill all day. We spent the morning at two of the 5 museum's in the museum complex. Lots of changes in the 30 yrs since we last visited. Besides being a large western museum; it's now affiliated with the Smithsonian. The Plains Indian Museum was interesting; a wonderful integration of old and today.

intriqued by this barb wire sculpture:

We took a break and went to their Raptor Talk. This was a short-eared ground owl. It can hear a mouse a football field away.

A fun exhibit 1959

For lunch we picked up sandwiches, driving out to Buffalo Bill Lake and dam. Kept a careful eye out for snakes.

Returning to our dismal Moose Creek Lodge room - the only thing going for it was very, very clean and walking distance to downtown. It had one view, of the alley and a HVAC that could freeze meat. We were desperate for warmth, opened the door to let 90*+ air in.

We walked a few blocks to Irma's for one of the best prime ribs ever! The building is a hotel built by BB and named for his daughter. Why I didn't take a pic of the elaborate bar, given to BB by Queen Victoria is beyond me; guess i was so dazzled by the Harley Boys - who dominated the bar. Sturgis rally is in a couple of weeks.

Cody is about 9800 people, situated on the bluffs above the Shoshone river.

Goodbye Cody

The Drums Made Me Do It!!!

We're at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West on a extremely hot day - Extreme heat warnings all over the state.

I've spent the last 2.5 hrs in the plains museum (one of 5 on the grounds). Imagine my delight walking into - pound that center drum - a PowWow Room! I grinned with delight, took a quick look around, discovered I was alone, joined the dance.

China Hill Gang Gathering

Just to be clear (because I can't figure out how to edit the title) - we are and always have been The China Wall Gang! Guess I got a little confused with the Over The  Hill Gang - which is NOT us! We have a big contingent of 18 - 30 yr olds.

The call is out; we're to meet last week end of July. Sundance and I are arriving via Billings, Cody, Yellowstone, Jackson Hole, Wind River and Ten Sleep. 

Butch has given up the chase; it appears Lil, Sundance and i will also have our last dance. The Federales aren't a danger. Time for the younger members to take over.

Oh give me another Bloody; maybe I'll change my mind!

Few hours later, thousands of miles of smoke, so dense the earth can't be seen. I feel like the planes air-conditioning and my mask can't counteract it.

Deplaning in Billings, even worse; temp is 99*, humidity 11% and smoke. My lungs felt they were on fire.

Driving from Billings to Cody on US 310, must be a rest stop every 30 miles. Really Nice Ones. Somewhere there are the Pryor Mtns. We're in the valley but we can barely see mountains.

Arrived Cody

Asking directions to a local, apparently popular, steak house, our young hostess said we might need reservations. Really at 5:30pm? Uhmmm, there are alot of people here, your vintage, you might need a reservation. 

Lucky us, while others were being turned away; we 2 were promptly seated at a table for 6. Phil's nice smile, my cane and broken wrist - reminded her of her grandparents or great grandparents? Or that we walked 3 blocks in the heat and her choice was seat us or call the undertaker.

Philip had a buffalo burger while i have a Mac & Cheese burger (don't ask) among some of these fine dining companions.

Nothing like local cowboys walking in wearing their hats,  jeans and Burki's. Sturgis bikers are everywhere.

We're so happy to be here, remembering previous visits - along with companionship of family and friends.