The world is a mean place sometimes, especially where black animals are concerned. They’re typically the last to be adopted, the subject of superstition, and often the most at risk of abuse or torture.
My little bat cat is mischievous and temperamental at times but he’s also a sweetheart. I can testify that black cats really are the best little friends.
There are no evil cats but there are evil humans. Keep your black animals indoors and safe this Halloween. From me and my bat cat, have a safe and happy day.
Everyone goes to Yellowstone and the surrounding area hoping to see bears. We were fortunate to see a grizzly snacking on an elk from a safe distance but not everyone gets to see a bear at all.
For those who don’t get to see (or perhaps would prefer not to see) a grizzly, there’s a scavenger hunt called Bears In The Basin that sends folks out looking for small bear statues hidden around downtown Cody, Powell and Meeteese.
There’s a clue sheet and you can sign up to win prizes. There are about twenty of them altogether and they’re the cutest darn things you’ve ever seen. Each statue was hand crafted by local artist Tanner Loren and, if you like western art or statues of any kind, you’ll want to know more about him. Click here to visit his website.
So if you make to to the Yellowstone area, download the clue sheet or at least keep an eye out for these little guys! Get more info here.
The one pictured above is in a high traffic place. You’ll likely find it without even trying.
Theatre nerds and art deco lovers will be glad to know that there’s a fabulous old art deco theatre still in use in Cody, Wyoming.
Opened in 1937, the Cody Theatre was notable for a few reasons. Not only was it the city’s main source of entertainment back then, it is the first building in Wyoming to be air conditioned.
As of 2024, that same air conditioning unit was still in use.
The theatre is still in use too. They show movies and have live performances as well. It’s still very much a center for the community and I was delighted to see how nice it looks on the outside.
The theatre was built for a reported $50,000 which would be well over a million in 2025 money. The art deco design is subtle on the outside and those details continue on the inside as well, according to their website.
The best part of all is the marquee which has gotten some TLC this year. I found a story about efforts to save the marquee that you might want to check out here.
It would be easy to replace the aging AC unit or that fabulous old marquee. It would be easy to gut this theater and turn it into a restaurant or something random. I’m so happy and impressed that people have maintained and protected this place and its assets for all these years.
This theatre is a lovely asset for downtown Cody and a piece of Wyoming history. You know how I feel about these things.
Check out the Cody Theatre website to see what they have upcoming on the stage.
When we decided to visit Cody, Wyoming, I was stoked to learn there’s an independent bookstore in this legendary city’s downtown. It’s called Legends Bookstore, and friends, it’s like someone built a bookstore around the reading tastes of my fella and myself.
Really, their nonfiction section is robust, they have lots of local interest books and the fiction section was not bad either. I spoke with an employee who said they mainly stock bestseller fiction but they pay special attention to nonfiction because that’s what most local readers seek.
We were there on a breezy, chilly, rainy day and had allotted plenty of time to browse. It’s cozy and welcoming with nice lighting and lots of interesting displays. I found a solid stack of books including one about the first female Hollywood stuntwoman. By the way, she was a pioneer, making movies in the nineteen-teens.
I would have bought more but was worried about suitcase space so I will just encourage you to go shop there and buy lots if you can.
They do have a small coffee bar, a few gift items, and some children’s books as well so there’s literally something for everyone.
Cody, Wyoming feels like an old west town, perhaps because it is. It was founded in 1896 by the legendary Colonel William “Buffalo Bill” Cody. At the time, he was just 41 years old and one of the world’s most famous men. It’s located on the Shoshone River in northwestern Wyoming and is a gateway into Yellowstone National Park.
It is a charming place with cute shops, museums and access to the outdoors.
Today it’s known as the Rodeo Capital of the World and is a destination for nature lovers from across the globe. Truly, friends, it’s a beautiful part of the country.
The year round population is about 10,000 and it seems those folks must be a hearty sort. The wind is strong and the nearest TJ Maxx is like two hours away. You probably think that’s a joke but it’s really not. If you need a new outfit or frying pan, you’re probably going to Walmart. There are some specialty shops downtown that seemed kind of expensive to me and there are thrift stores. The nearest town with shopping is Billings, MT and I’ve never done that trip but it doesn’t sound fun in the winter.
As a visitor, though, we had a fantastic visit to Yellowstone, the Washakie Wilderness, Heart Mountain, and the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. There’s some neat stuff to look at around town and a great bookstore which I will take you to tomorrow.
The city is home to an enormous collection of public art including some stunning life sized statues of wildlife, pioneers, ranchers and others. You could pass an entire day just driving and walking around to see all these amazing pieces of art. There are so many of them, they almost become part of the landscape.
There are some historic hotels in downtown, some chain hotels and some mom and pop places as well. We stayed at Moose Creek Lodge and Suites because it’s downtown, is relatively inexpensive and was nice enough for our needs.
I was sorely disappointed with myself after I left and realized that we had driven by a Carnegie Library and didn’t even try to go in. Good grief. Some other time. The good news is there’s lots of other stuff to talk about and explore from this trip. Come back tomorrow and we’ll start at one of my favorite places – the bookstore!
