June 14th ~ Cody to Teton National Park ~
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Cody has a brilliant center that is really five museums in one. In fact it has so much to see that your admission ticket is good for two days!
Buffalo Bill Center of the West
Tims mom, Shirley, in front of the Buffalo Bill Center
From the main entrance, each of the museums spreads out from the central hub like spokes on a wheel.
Draper Natural History Museum focuses on the natural world of the Greater Yellowstone ecosystem.
Snowy Owl
Mountain Goats
The Buffalo Bill Museum’s focus is on the “life and times of William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody (1846 – 1917), the noted guide, scout, frontiersman, showman, actor, entrepreneur, town founder, and American icon”.
Wagon
Gallery
The Plains Indian Museum tells the significant story of the “lives of Plains Indian peoples, their cultures, traditions, values, and histories, as well as the contexts of their lives today”.
Sculpture
Headdress
Whitney Western Art Museum offers up painting, sculpture, and prints that brings the West alive through the artists vision. Remington is one of the most famous artists/sculptures from this time period.
Buffalo Bill in the Limelight by Frederic Remington
Remington’s studio was recreated here in the museum.
And just a few more examples of the wide variety of art on display.
Cody Firearms Museum is in the final stages of renovation and we did not enter this area.
Tim and Shirley watched a talk/demonstration about an orphaned Turkey Buzzard while I chatted with a couple visiting from Australia that were taking a Globus tour. They brought up President Trump, our election process, our immigration system, and our huge meal proportions.
Since I try very hard to keep this blog non-political, I’ll just leave it at that, but I did find it very interesting that those were the topics they wanted to discuss with me.
Turkey Buzzard
After a grocery stop, we headed toward the East entrance to Yellowstone, arriving late in the afternoon on a Friday.
Arriving at Yellowstone
Three campgrounds still showed available, but by the time we arrived at our chosen site, it was full.
So, we made an executive decision and headed south to Teton National Park where we will stay for a couple of nights and then return to Yellowstone earlier in the day and not on a weekend.
About to enter Teton National Park
GRATITUDE MOMENT: Although we were mildly disappointed that we could not spend the weekend in Yellowstone, we quickly adjusted our schedule and regrouped. For some unknown reason, there are FIVE of the campgrounds within the park closed for renovations. Most of the campgrounds hold open some of their sites on a “first come – first served” basis. If we are not able to secure reservations, we will return early in the day in a couple days to try our luck again. In the meantime we will enjoy exploring Teton National Park. I’m thankful that we are flexible and that we were able to find an alternative campground.
A Note From Abroad 
I have been so heartened to see Tim’s mom enjoying this wonderful trip. I’m guessing that as a small town Midwest resident she hasn’t taken in the best of our nation’s spectacular natural places as you’re now showing her. What joys and memories! Wish I could have done the same with my mom.
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Mike, you are correct that this is all new for Shirley. I know that they are both creating some special memories. No regrets!
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Thank you for sharing your adventure. I love reading about other couples who love traveling like we do.
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We are definitely diehard travelers 👍
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I visited Cody, Wyoming a few years back and was so impressed with the museums. I especially loved seeing the work of Remington. A great stop. I hope you are able to get a camping spot in Yellowstone soon.
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We are going early tomorrow morning in hopes of getting a spot for three nights. 🤞
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We are going to Yellowstone early tomorrow morning in hopes of getting a spot for three nights. Fingers crossed!
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Two national parks in one day,Shirley is getting to know her toes!
I am glad you were able to fond a spot at Grand Teton. That’s actually my favorite of the two. Enjoy!
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I love Grand Tetons, but Yellowstone remains my favorite. You certainly can’t go wrong spending time in either one. ❤️
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No, you can’t! The uncertainty of the ground beneath my feet really bothered my head at Yellowstone. But my cousin is a musician there, has been for at least ten years, and it hasn’t swallowed her up yet so it probably is OK..
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Beautiful pictures. I love anything and everything Native American. They are beautiful people.
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Thank you Kim, I agree with you. Museums such as this are educational and eye opening. Sadly our history with the Native Americans is a blemish on our early immigrants and even today some prejudices continue.
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