Looking Forward to Fall

I have a friend who tends to become sad at the end of seasons, events, holidays, visits by out-of-town relatives, etc. People have commented that we are probably so close because I am the opposite. 

I did not view Labor Day Weekend as the end of the summer tourism season. Instead, I looked at it as the beginning of one of my favorite times here in Cody Yellowstone.

Summer is great, and nothing compares to families with wide-eyed kids taking in their first Great American Adventure to see geysers and rodeos, to eat the state’s best prime rib, to view true Western art, to wonder how people could live in those small one-room cabins.

The atmosphere is noticeably different, however, when the empty nesters show up. Often these folks will take an extra day or two as they take a more leisurely approach to visit at all five of the museums in the Buffalo Bill Center of the West or stop and ponder over the exhibits at the Heart Mountain WWII Interpretive Center. They will dig a little deeper and check out the Dug Up Gun Museum or wander across the street to our new By Western Hands Design Museum.

There is so much to do around here, including:

Check out Rendezvous Royale. This week-long celebration of authentic Western art will be held Sept. 16-21 featuring workshops, live art auction, quick draw event and a glamorous ball on the final night. 

Watch for wildlife. The forests, river valleys, mountains and canyons of Yellowstone Country are home to bears, elk, wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, bison, pronghorn, deer, eagles, river otters and many other mammals, birds and other species. 

Go trout fishing. Yellowstone Country is home to several top fishing spots including the North and South Forks of the Shoshone River. Cody is home to several fishing outfitters that can offer guides, maps and advice.  

Enjoy fall bounty. Local and sustainable food offerings have continued to expand in Cody, resulting in several restaurants and stores that incorporate the bounty of northwestern Wyoming ranchers and farmers into their offerings. Not surprisingly, beef and bison are readily available, but many locations also offer freshly harvested produce and locally made beer and wine. 

Hike. Our hiking trails are all over the region and range from easy strolls up to heart-pumping excursions.

Climb a rock. The region is well-suited to climbing with porous rock creating drainages and rock formations that appeal to climbers of all abilities.

Drive a car. Road-tripping in the fall is a memorable way to enjoy fall colors, with five scenic drives leading into Cody that take travelers past some of Wyoming’s most breathtaking valleys, mountain passes, rivers and forests.

Listen to some music. Dan Miller’s Cowboy Music Revue continues its performances of cowboy music, poetry and comedy Monday through Saturday night through Sept. 28. The Cody Cattle Company provides a casual evening at picnic tables with music and a chuckwagon dinner through Sept. 20. 

Tour the town. The Cody Trolley Tours provide a terrific introduction to the destination and will operate through Sept. 22. This informative one-hour tour covers 22 miles and helps orient visitors to where things are and what they might like to go back to see.

Until next week, I am lovin’ life – and always looking forward – in Cody Yellowstone.