Finding the right fit for you and your family while on your vacation is key to really enjoying your vacation. Have fun and enjoy your stay!

This is an example of what you can find in the Cody Wyoming Visitors Guide —>>>

 Campgrounds within 52 miles of Yellowstone Park:

Absaroka Bay

– Located on the south end of Cody, Absaroka Bay features nice views of the Cedar and  Rattlesnake Mountains. Beck Lake  is basically right across the street. You can access Beck Lake park for walking or fishing with a short 3 minute drive or 10 minute walk. The Absaroka Bay camp site includes areas for tents, campers or RV’s.  Hot showers and laundry on site. The roads are blacktop, and the pads are gravel. Each site has green grass and a picnic table. Ice and WiFi on sight.  Located right across from Taco Johns, K-Mart, Beck Lake, McDonalds, and BK so you won’t go hungry! 2002 Mountain View Drive (top of hill, right beside Burger King) (800) 557-7440 (307) 557-7440. Website: http://www.cody-wy.com/indexF.htm

Ponderosa Campground

– This definitely offers the best location for those who want to tour the Cody area! The Ponderosa is within walking distance to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center and to downtown shopping and dining. Lots of spaces. Full RV hookups that include cable TV and Wi-Fi, very clean laundry room, bathroom and showers. A lot of trees that offer shaded spots. Heated cabins and grassy tent areas also available. For the more adventurous stay in one of the Tepees! Gift shop, pool tables, video arcade and nightly rodeo shuttle. 1815 8th Street (307) 587-9203 http://codyponderosa.com/

KOA

– 3 miles from downtown Cody, the KOA has a lot to offer. Starting on Thursdays is Bingo, Friday is ice cream social time and Saturday is S’mores night! Everyday fun  includes the inground swimming pool, hot tub, separate wading pool for tots,  game room, basketball courts, horseshoe pits, and sand volleyball court. Also nightly Rodeo Shuttle. On site amenities include, laundry room, restrooms and showers. All you can eat pancakes for breakfast. RV sites are gravel – Cabins and tent areas are also available. 5561 Greybull Highway (800) 562-8507 (307) 587-2369 http://koa.com/campgrounds/cody/

Parkway Trailer & RV Park

– Level sites, trees and some shade clean restrooms and showers. Nice laundry facilities electric, water and sewer. 132 w Yellowstone Ave (307) 527-5927

Yellowstone Valley Inn

– 18 miles west of Cody, 32 miles from Yellowstone. Camper and RV park is in desert area, entirely gravel, level sites, grassy areas for tents. Laundry, outdoor pool. hottub. Restaurant and Saloon on site. Wi-fi, Can’t be beat for its’ absolutely 360 degree amazing mountain views. Many extras http://www.yellowstonevalleyinn.com/

North Fork Campground

14 miles west of Cody first left past the reservoir.  This campground is a large grassy area right under Sheep Mountain on the north shore of Buffalo Bill dam. Bathrooms, picnic areas, fishing. Tents, campers RV’s . Awesome views. http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=1511

Wapiti Campground

= For those who like to be right smack in the forest. You will be within walking distance of Shoshone River for easy access for bird or wildlife watching, fishing and hiking. 20 electric RV hook ups on the right side as you enter. Each spot includes, picnic tables, fire pits, bear boxes, (grizzly and black bear country – carry bear spray) outhouses, water spigots, fishing.  30 miles west of  Cody. on the Shoshone River 2225 HWY 14-16-20 – Look for signs. http://www.publiclands.org/explore/site.php?id=1545

Green Creek Inn

– Wapiti valley, 20 miles west of Cody. Quiet RV Park with full hookup sites -water/electric (30 & 50 amp) with sewer. Sites are level, wide and do not have any satellite TV obstacles. Guest coin-op Laundromat is available. A playground and  large grassy areas for family fun. Amazing views. Located just 30 miles from Yellowstone Park East Gate. Right off the highway but without the highway noise.. 2908 North fork Highway 877-587-5004 Call ahead – limited space and rooms  http://www.greencreekinn.com/

While many are out hiking and enjoying the scenery in Yellowstone this time of year, mother grizzlies are out and about teaching their cubs how to forage for food. This is prime time to take precautions when traveling through Yellowstone. It is always great to see the Grizzlies, especially sows with cubs, but it is absolutely necessary to carry bear mace when walking or hiking ANYWHERE in Yellowstone.

Grizzly bears will naturally try to avoid people. But with more than 600 grizzlies roaming the park and millions of tourists visiting Yellowstone each year, it is possible that another encounter with a grizzly could happen. 

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Yellowstones Last Grizzly Attack Was 25 Years Ago – 1986

The last attack inside the boundaries of Yellowstone Park occurred 25 years ago. 

Last year alone, there were 2 deaths directly related to grizzly attacks within 7 miles of the Parks borders. In June 2010, a tranquilized bear had been left sleeping approximately 7 miles outside the east entrance of Yellowstone Park.  Hiker and cabin owner Botanist Erwin Frank Evert was hiking in the area and probably came upon the sleeping, tranquilized bear. He was later found just 20 yards from the bear capture site.

Only one month later in July 2010, a female grizzly savagely attacked sleeping campers in the Soda Butte Campground- killing one man and injuring 2 others. The female sow was later located and euthanized. The campground is located just 5 miles from Yellowstone’s Northeast entrance.

And now Wednesday July 6, what began as a hiking adventure between husband and wife, resulted in the mauling death of the 57-year-old man. The man and his wife had been hiking in the Yellowstone Grand Canyon area when they crossed the path of a mother grizzly (Sow) and her cubs. The hike turned tragic when the sow charged the couple. The man was mauled to death and the woman picked up in the grizzlies massive jaws. (It wasn’t clear to me if she was attacked before her husband was killed or after). What I know is that the grizzly picked her up by her backpack, shook her a few times, dropped her and left. She survives with a few scrapes and scratches only because she played dead.

The grizzly will not be sought and euthanized as the attack is considered a ‘natural’ occurrence as it is believe the sow was protecting her cubs. Since grizzlies obviously have more rights than we do this is considered the right measure. Let’s just hope the grizzly DID indeed feel threatened and more attacks are not forthcoming.

The path to Artist Point has been blocked by barricades to prevent further attacks if the bear is still in the area.

Please read Bear attacks are rare but they do happen to learn what you should do to prevent a grizzly encounter and what to do if you would encounter a grizzly.

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Aside from it’s historical significance and mouth watering food, the Irma Hotel and Restaurant is best known for it’s Cherry Wood Bar. Currently valued at $100,000+ the famous bar was a gift given to Buffalo Bill from Queen Victoria in 1900. 

Queen Victoria was a friend and a fan of Buffalo Bill. She valued and admired Buffalo Bill’s charisma and generosity as he put on Wild West shows free of charge for the orphans of Great Britain and France. His stunning and awe inspiring shows where quite the adventure of the day, drawing in mass crowds overseas with his daring western stunts. Buffalo Bill gained many fans and admirers as they witnessed the stunning – never before seen - Native American horse manuvers and gallent performances.

The Cherry Wood bar was made in France and then transported to New York by steamer. From New York it traveled by rail car to Red Lodge Montana. From Red Lodge it traveled 2 weeks over mountains and rivers on a horse pulled freight wagon before it was finally delivered to Buffalo Bill in Cody. Quite the trip in those days.

In the early days, the Irma Hotel’s restaurant was once a bar room that featured billiards, booze and cards. The bar room is gone and has been replaced by a stunning dinning area that offers you a full relaxed dinning atmosphere. The popular Prime Rib Buffet (the best in town) is served during the summer season and has something for every taste bud. You can also enjoy the breakfast and lunch buffet before you set out for Yellowstone National Park.

When in Cody Wyoming, make sure you stop in and tell the staff at the Irma Hotel Hello. You are welcome to browse the halls, restaurant and lounge to look at the historical architecture and capture the feel of the west as it was. The hotel offers guests true authentic rooms including Buffalo Bills original suite where he stayed after his many Wild West tours. The historical rooms have been restored and modernized for convenience and relaxation.

In addition to the Buffalo Bill Suite you could book a stay in either the Jimmy Tuff Suite, Caroline Lockhart Suite, Vern Spencer Suite or Henry Dahlem Suite. Each suite holds it’s own little piece of history. Room 35 is also frequently requested as it’s become known as the most ’haunted suite’.

The Irma Hotel has its share of disembodied footsteps, unexplained  noises and dark shapes ‘caught out of the corner of my eye’  tales from regular patrons. Apparitions have been seen in various parts of the old hotel including the dining room. Rocking chairs rock by themselves, strange voices call your name and unseen spirits walk the halls in the Irma Hotel. WAPS (Wyoming Area Paranormal Society) did two investigations on the Irma Hotel and were not disappointed.

Hold on to your hats, your wallets and your ladies.

Besides the residential spirits that roam the halls of the Irma you can find a few residential gunfighters shooting it out in the streets. Starting at 6pm, Monday thru Saturday, the Cody Gunfighters are going to thrill you with their old fashioned gunfight! Comedy and guts meet in the street as the good guys and the bad guys (and ladies too) battle it out. 

Make it a point to stop in the Irma hotel. Step into the era of older charm and grace.

Spring hasn’t been to kind to Yellowstone visitors this year. With an overload of snow that continues to fall,  the posiblility of more mudslides and avalanches in the Sylvan Pass area are still  high. This makes travel into Yellowstone difficult. A mudslide that occurred in mid May over Sylvan Pass has been cleaned up but the threat of another one is restricting access from the East Gate except from the hours of 8 PM to 10 AM.  Why these hours? Temperatures are lower during the night and early morning, so the possibility of another slide would be slim. 

Also for Yellowstone travelers there has been a road washout along the norhteast shore of Yellowstone lake, which is along the East Entrance road into the park. The washout has left the east side of the road unusable. Travel is restricted to one lane with flaggers guiding the traffic.

Update:: The East Gate and Sylvan Pass is now open 24 / 7.

Visitors may call Yellowstone’s 24/7 road report hot line, (307) 344-2117 for current road conditions.

I love to watch the seasons change and spring is my favorite time of the year. I enjoy feeling the air blowing warmer and seeing the green grass sprouting new life onto the dry and barren land. Brown lifeless  trees regain their life again with new leaves and happy robins building nests. The sounds and smells of spring are just around the corner.

This year I plan to do more traveling into Yellowstone, up the Chief Josephs highway, Cooke City and Red Lodge. It’s been several years since I just traveled for pleasure and to film what ever caught my eye. A rare black wolf evaded me a few years ago on Chief Josephs Highway as I fumbled to insert batteries into my camera. (For some reason it just eats batteries even when it’s off) So this year I purchased a JVC Camcorder and will be ready. That elusive black wolf won’t catch me offgaurd again!

Bears Will Be Looking For Food

While we are anxiously awaiting the full effects of spring, Yellowstone Park is already active with grizzly and black bears scouring for food. With so much snow in Yellowstone, far more than in the last 10 years, finding food will not be so trouble free. Bears generally look for the ’easy’ meal such as; dead rotting carcasses of elk or buffalo that have died during the winter, berries (not out yet) and roots (that will be deeply buried this year). Of course there are the small and plentiful animals such as rabbits, moles or mice that can be caught fairly easy but would not very gratifying to a hungry bear. I am guessing that bears will be more extremely aggressive this year as they hunt, find and protect their precious food stashes.  

For those of us in the Cody area who are awaiting the opening of the East gate on May 6th, this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy some quiet peaceful times in the park and perhaps spot some early bear activity. The snow is still plentiful but crews are working diligently to remove it from the trails and roads. According to the Cody Enterprise, Sylvan Pass has about 22 feet of snow with 30 foot drifts. More than we have seen in previous years!

Yes spring is in the air and I am excitedly awaiting its arrival!

The 2nd attack happened to Canada vacationer, Deborah Freele who is currently in the West Park Hospital until Sunday. Freele tells reporters from her hospital bed that she woke seconds before the grizzly latched onto her arm and shoulder and screamed several times before it started to drag her out of the tent. She realized that she had to stop screaming in order to survive. She did the absolute right thing. She played dead. If she had not, the bear would have bit and shook her to death.

Mrs Freele should be released on Sunday as long as their are no signs of infection from the bear bites to her arm and shoulder.

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The 3rd victim,  Ronald Singer, of Alamosa, Co, fended off the bear who was at that time biting his leg by punching him until he went away. Singer  was treated and released Thursday.

All victims where sleeping in tents. Soda Butte was immediately evacuated and nearby campgrounds were also closed until the grizzly was caught. Freels husband then drove to the hospital to see his wife.

Almost 2 years ago to this day a grizzly attacked another man who was also sleeping in a tent in Soda Butte campground. He survived the attack with only bites to his hand and several claw marks.

Here are my thoughts:

When an animal, wild or otherwise, attacks without provocation it should be determined that the animal is dangerous and should be removed to protect the public from further deaths or incident. It is not know why the grizzly attacked the sleeping campers.

Uncommon to the general consensus grizzlies do not actively look for trouble and avoid encounters with people at all cost, but at the same time, they are always looking for food. Bears are commonly refered to as meat eaters but in fact, bears mostly rely on vegetation such as grasses, roots and berries for substance. Hunting for meat consists of scavenging dead rotting carcasses or capturing and killing ”easy prey” such as rodents, a new born elk calf or livestock.  

With that being said, this predatory act of this particular grizzly was not usual in the least. She could have been scouring for food as she had 3 cubs to teach and feed and to her, sleeping campers could have been ‘easy prey’.

The campsite was most likely one of the  grizzlies usual food stops. It could be possible that the bear smelled food on or around the tent of the first victim. The man from Michigan may have woken and tried to run. At that time the grizzlies predatory instincts would have kicked in killing the man and dragging him away for later. Still if the bear was searching for food left by the campers it wouldn’t have attacked and drug the other sleeping campers from their tents. Unless, it had determined that people where easy prey.

You won’t find me sleeping in a tent in grizzly country. Even if I’m armed with my bear spray, gun and big bad dog you will find me sleeping in my car with doors locked and keys in the ignition. When your woken up in the middle of the night with a grizzly breathing down your neck like the 3 campers from Soda Butte, there is not much time to think or react. Better safe then sorry in grizzly country. Be prepared for anything in the wild, be it Yellowstone National Park or anywhere in rugged country that we all so love.

Remember happy campers, animals in the Yellowstone and surrounding region are wild and unpredictable creatures. Always take precaution and stay alert when venturing out.

Please read Bear Attacks Are Rare But They Do Happen for some ideas of what to do when in grizzly country, why grizzlies attack and what to do if one does.

The grizzly bear that attacked  the 3 campers in Soda Butte campground in Montana early Wednesday morning has been euthanized.  Her 3 cubs have been rounded up and will be sent to Zoo Montana.

Cody resident Laura Brown, original founder of Laptops For The Wounded  wrote this comment on an article written by Boston.com please read the comment at the site:

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http://www.boston.com/news/nation/articles/2010/07/29/bear_attack_in_montana_leaves_1_dead_2_injured/?comments=all

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Use your frequent flyer status.

Membership does have its advantages and it is even more so in case you need to make cheap last minute travel arrangements. If you are a member of an airline’s frequent flyer program, then you will be considered as a privileged passenger. That means you can take advantage of an age-old practice that airlines are still upholding today – reserving a few tickets for their VIPs. 

If you need to make last minute travel, go ahead and flash them your card. You also get to earn a few bonus points in the process.

Go online.

Yep, these days, whenever you need anything, you go online. If you need cheap, last minute travel deals for an airplane ticket, go to the airline’s website. There are many of them that display leftover tickets for a particular flight. These are seats that have remained unsold even as the airplane is getting ready for takeoff. You’ll get some nice discounts for filling up the seats.

You could buy the tickets online but be ready to dash off to the airport or boarding gate. If you want last minute travel this cheap, you better live up to it.

Got a credit card?  Use it.

Some credit card companies offer air miles programs on their cards. Check if yours is affiliated with an airline company. You can take advantage of these offerings in case you need to travel pronto. Plus, you might even collect rewards points as well.

Check if it’s that time of the year.

Airfare and hotel prices fluctuate, depending on the season. If you want cheap last minute travel deals, go off season when there are fewer travelers and companies are raring to fill their seats and rooms. You could get a great discount if you only choose to travel when business is slow.

Buy bundled.

Many travel agencies purchase multiple flights and use them to promote package tours. In case your destination is included in these bundles, consider buying a seat. Although most of these trips sell fast, you could find cheap last minute travel with these agencies. This usually happens as the date of departure approaches. If there are packages that have remained unsold, you can be sure that they will be sold at highly discounted prices. 

The advantage here is that you not only get to cover the airfare, you also get accommodation (and probably breakfast) thrown in. All in all, that should be way less than the cost of a regular flight and hotel booking.

Sign up for e-mail alerts.

Many airlines and hotels send out alerts regarding great deals on their products. You could take advantage of these in case you need to travel last minute cheaply. Check your e-mail boxes regularly if there’s a good deal currently active around the time you have to travel. Just be careful, though.

If you go this route, make sure you really are going to travel. Most of these companies offer these deals as non-refundables.
 

 
How To Survive An Airplane Trip With A Small Child

Taking children on an airplane trip can be a nightmare – particularly if it’s a long trip. Children are easily bored, and when the novelty of flying wears off, you find yourself with an overly energetic child trapped in a confined space.

It’s a nightmare start to a holiday, and the disgruntled moans of other travelers won’t help the situation or your mood. So here’s some essential tips to surviving an airplane journey with a small child:

- Use a variety of distractions

If you were just planning the journey for adults, a simple book or magazine would be plenty to occupy your attention for the entire flight.

Unfortunately, children have notoriously short attention spans, so you need to vary the things you take in your on-board baggage.

Books and magazines are a good idea if your child is so inclined, but also take small travel games such as chess or Connect 4. Coloring books are also a good idea, and a plain sheet of white paper and some crayons also work well. Having a variety of options for keeping your child stimulated should help the situation immensely.

- Don’t let your child get close to a tantrum.

If a child is becoming bored and / or moody, you’ll be able to sense it coming. In a small space like on board an air craft, it’s important you don’t let their mood develop in to a full-on tantrum. Distract them immediately with the above items, or strike up a conversation about the things you’re going to do on holiday – whatever it takes to keep their spirits high, and yourself sane!

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Yellowstone Park fee free dates for 2011

1. National Parks Week – April 16-24
2. 1st day of summer – June 21
3. National Public Lands Day – Sept 24
4. Verterns Day Weekend – Nov 11-13

First opened in 1872 Yellowstone boosts some 8.2 million acres covered by geysers (Old Faithful)  waterfalls,  lakes, streams and the abundant wildlife that lives within its boundaries. 

Grizzly Bears feed on the thousands of cutthroat trout during their annual spawning run in the waters near Grant Village and Fishing Bridge as they make their way to the Yellowstone Lake. Relocated wolves make their dens, bask in the sun and mountain lions hunt bighorn sheep.

Giant River Otter May 2008 Yellowstone Lake 

Click on the pictures for larger view

All wildlife that Yellowstone visitors  hope to see wander freely here,  the grizzly, the giant river otter, the wolf , the elk and American Bald Eagle.  If your lucky you will be able to capture the seldom seen mountain lion, elusive grizzly or shy moose on film while your here.

Taken in May 2008 east gate Yellowstone Park. Mother Grizzly with 2 cubs -
Click on picture for larger image

Yellowstone is an adventure that you will want to return to year after year. The fresh clean air, untouched landscape and natural wonders make Yellowstone so popular, even with the local folks. Here are a few of the places you will want to visit on your Yellowstone trip. 

The Upper Loop

Mammoth Hot Springs — 5 miles south of the park’s north entrance at Gardiner, Montana, you’ll find some of the park’s most beautiful and unusual thermal areas, including the limestone terraces (the Upper and Lower terraces). While your here be sure to visit the ranger center, bookstore, in the Albright Visitor Center and see some interesting paintings and exhibits unique to Yellowstone.

Norris Geyser Basin — Just south of the Mammoth Hot Springs lie the most amazing thermal sights in Yellowstone. Visit the Norris Museum to learn more about the thermal history and key hot spots to see while your there. Norris Basin is home of the Steamboat, the worlds largest geyser and Porcelain Basin.  

Canyon Village – East of Norris, here you can see the absolutley breathtaking Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River . Here you can grab a bite to eat at the Canyon Lodge dining room or cafeteria and snack bar.

The Lower Loop

Grant Village/West Thumb Bay – Grant Village is the southernmost of the park’s developments, a wide collection of modern buildings on the south end of Yellowstone Lake. Stop at the General Store and pick up supplies, shop the gift shop or eat at the lunch counter.  West Thumb has a picnic area, two hiking trails, and a boardwalk that lets you walk alongside the edges of thermal geysers and capture some great pictures. 

Lake Village Area– Lake Village Area is well, you guessed it, the boating district of  The Yellowstone Lake. Here you will be able to obtain fishing and boating access and gear. The Lake Village area also has several  lodge  and fine dining choices. Lake Hotel is one of the two best choices in the park if your up for a fine meal or a good nights sleep. This area is the closest to Yellowstone’s east entrance, which is approximately 50 miles from Cody, Wyoming.  The drive to the east gate from Cody is a site in itself. You will no doubt see Buffalo, mountain sheep and mule deer along the way.

Old Faithful – Old Faithful is no doubt the most famous and the most photographed of all the parks attractions.  The charming Old Faithful Inn is located here as well as the newly constructed Old Faithful Lodge. Boardwalks run across the Upper Geyser Basin, offering closeup views of the many other geysers that surround the area. If you have time to spare take a walk around the Geyser Hill loop. On Geyser Hill loop you will see dozens of seldom seen geysers. You may encounter a buffalo or elk along your walk as they are know to inhabit this area.

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