Nine Days in Cody by Claire Marshall
I arrived in Calgary Alberta on 14th September 2006. Three days at a youth Hostel. I flew to Cranbrook, British Columbia, to staying with my friends at the Mc Donald Ranch for six days.
I left Canada for my journey to Kalispel Airport Montana on Saturday 23rd September. My friend Perri Dawn took me down to U.S border for a green card. Catch my flight down to Salt Lake City Airport Utah change for Billings Montana.
I was heading for two weeks at the Klondike Ranch near Buffalo Wyoming. Five years ago since my first holiday. I spent two weeks driving cattle on horse back along with fifteen other guests, twelve men and four women.
On the Sunday 8th October I leave the Klondike ranch to go back to Billings Montana,
Patti took me in the car and got me a bus ticket for Cody.
Sunday night I stayed at the War Bonnet Inn for one night, tomorrow will be my sight-seeing part of the holiday.
Monday 9th I woke up at five in the morning to get the Powder River bus to Cody; its wet miserable morning, I also booked two nights for coming back on 18th and 19th October before I left the War Bonnet Inn.
The bus arrived at quarter past six it was still raining. I had a sleep on the bus when I woke up it was snowing, and lying thick on the wind shield. As the bus came into Cody the driver shouted out to all passengers who were getting of: "Please make sure you have all your belongings before leaving the bus".
As I got off the bus I asked the driver; where I could find a place to have breakfast. "Over the main street it's called Granny's". "Thank you". I replied heading for Granny's as I was hungry.
After breakfast I had a walk down town to look for somewhere to stay; when I meet couple people outside the gun shop. They introduced themselves as Paul and Liz "asked if I had somewhere to stay"." No" I said. They seem a nice couple and friendly they took me under their wing. They even offered me their bunkhouse.
They took me to a few Inn's to get a cheapest at $45.00 dollars per night. So I stayed at Buffalo Bill's Antler Inn for four nights. Paul and Liz take shopping to get a few snacks to keep me going before I booked into the Antler Inn.
Tuesday10th. All the snow had gone, it was a nice sunny day and not cold; I woke up at Eight in the morning had a bath then for breakfast at Granny's it's good but I have to watch how much I spend on food. I went to the Irma Hotel named after his daughter he bought it in the 1900's. The back bar is made from cherry wood that Queen Victoria of England had sent to Colonel Cody after seeing his show in England. The bar was made in France shipped to New York by steamer ,then shipped by rail to Red Lodge Montana ,then by horse drawn freight wagon to Cody. I have a postcard of the cherry bar.
Also that day I went to the Buffalo Bill's Museum that takes two days to go around it. So far I had seen the life story about W.F Cody Buffalo Bill and his Wild West show. The second day it was about the animals and birds of the Yellowstone Park it was great to see.
My new friend Liz, phone top ask me out to their place for tea tomorrow night. Cody is a friendly place people just like to talk and be interested in where you are from as most people have Scottish or Irish roots.
Wednesday 11th I was up at eight had breakfast at Granny's I will spend my second day at the museum.
Liz come to collect me after work as I was having tea with them and their friends April and Brad. We watched Liz and Paul's holiday in Bryce Canyon on the Arizona and Utah border. So I will stay in the bunk house at their home for five nights.
The next few days were quiet so I write postcards to send home. Then go to post office and explore around town again. I had my photo taken outside the Irma Hotel. Tonight I go and stay in the bunkhouse at Paul and Liz Vail's place it just feels like home from home.
Saturday 14th Weekend I help with a few chores, for my keep and we visit their friends and neighbour. We had lunch at the Irma Hotel.
I stayed in the house with bonnie the dog until ten o'clock as Paul and Liz were away out. Sunday 15th I was up eight o'clock had breakfast then we went to church in Wapiti Valley.
In the evening we went ice-hockey as Liz and Paul plays and coaches. I was introduced to Ed who was once a jockey .Ed had offered to take me to the Yellowstone Park tomorrow. "Yes thank you "I said.
Monday 16th I have been in Cody for a week now. Early rise, had breakfast before Ed arrived at seven thirty. We made our way to Yellowstone Park. Along the Chief Joseph trail a member Nez Perce tribe it's snowing .We travelled into Cooke City Montana on north east gate of the park. Then we arrived to the Lamar Valley where the bison (buffalo) were grazing on what they could find with the snow blowing across the valley.
I also saw wild sheep and elk roaming through the town of Mammoth Hot Springs at the north gate of the Park. It was an interesting day out.
The next two days I rested as I was heading back to Billings on Wednesday 18th Oct. I treated my friends to breakfast that morning in Granny's before I leave Cody, I hope to return in the near future.
