Cody and Yellowstone part 2

Cody, Wyoming, is famous for 2 things, Buffalo Bill and rodeo! 

So after a long day in Yellowstone we nabbed a site at Buffalo Bill campground then headed out to watch a far more dramatic rodeo than the Senior Pro we watched earlier in Montana.

This time bucking broncos were the main focus and the rodeo clown needed to use his "safe place" (a bright yellow barrel) for real when one bull got loose and headed straight for him! 

The "calf-scramble" provided midway entertainment, the aim of the game is to catch the ribbon on the tail on one of the two calves. All under 12's were invited to join in and the resulting mayhem was a sight to behold.

A shower the next morning (becoming a luxury now!) did much to improve our spirits as our carefully chosen and reserved campsite had been stolen and occupied whilst we were at the rodeo, camp chairs obviously not a clear indication of a spot being reserved! 

The heat prompted a Walmart shop for sunshades then we decided there was nothing more to do but hide in the air-conditioned library until the nightly shootout commenced outside the Irma Hotel. Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid had upset the sheriffs, Annie Oakley and other characters whilst playing cards. Despite the fact that the acting was almost as bad as the jokes it was a hoot and prompted our desire to try out some guns for ourselves. 

After a fun hour or so at a shooting range (you must be 8 or older to fire the gatling gun!) we headed back towards Yellowstone in preparation for the final wade through tourists the next day. 

Another early start gave us great rewards because WE FINALLY SAW A MOOSE! Sadly not with enough time to get photographic evidence but I promise you it was real. 

A visit to old faithful led to mild disappointment, the large crowds promising more than was delivered (Stokkur in Iceland has a more impressive eruption) and so we set off on a little stroll around the vicinity. 

Several under prepared hours later we arrived back at the van sunburnt and gasping having vastly underestimated how much there was to see in this weird and wonderful geyser basin. 

The rest of the day continued to be full with wet exploding things, photographs difficult to take due to all the crowds of selfie sticks. 

Having had our fill of hot springs, geysers, steam vents, mud volcanoes and throngs of tourists we headed out of the park to find a spot to camp.  

In hindsight, camping that night in a burnt forest full of mosquitoes during a full moon did nothing to soothe our tourist-crowd frayed nerves and needless to say we were happy to see the back of the Yellowstone bustle. (Fun fact, we used all 5 entrances into the park). 

 

Next up: The rest of Wyoming (mostly the Tetons)