Road Trip
- E.L. Irwin
- May 27, 2024
- 3 min read
Updated: Jun 7, 2024
May 27, 2021, my daughter and I took off on an epic road trip. But I'm getting ahead of myself. Let me back up a bit. Christmas 2020, she'd given me a gift. Inside the package was a bouquet of faux yellow roses, a deep blue throw blanket, and a Wyoming road atlas. She instructed me to guess what the gift meant.
The first book I ever wrote (and completed) was Out of the Blue. The story takes place in Cody, Wyoming. My character, Katy, loves yellow roses. You see where this is going? My research for the book was by armchair only. I had small children at the time and literally ZERO budget for a trip like that. So, I went online and read books and maps trying to glean as much as I could. Horses, I knew; Wyoming, I could only guess about. Then my daughter gave me this gift. Blown away is putting it mildly. So it was, that at five-thirty in the morning, we loaded up the Beast (my truck) and drove twelve plus hours to reach Cody.
There, we stayed in a hotel the first night, then an Airbnb for the rest of our trip.
As I was going through pictures today, I realized it had been three years ago that we'd done this. It's something I'll never forget, and has fueled my desire to move there.
She took me on a trail ride with the crew from the Bill Cody Ranch. In my younger years, I rode a lot, often taking on horses that had attitude issues. This picture is the first time I'd been on a horse since I was first pregnant with my daughter. I was a bit emotional, no lie.
This was the view from the Applejack Ranch where we stayed on the trip. It's beautiful there. Open. Clean. Refreshing.
She took me to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, and to the Old Trail Town Museum. At the OTT, I was able to step inside (I touched the walls, too) the Hole in the Wall gang cabin. I felt like a kid at Disneyland. The Old West, gunfighters, cattle drives, I love that stuff. I ate up Louis L'Amour books (I blame my dad--I thank him--for that). So, being able to stand and touch where Butch Cassidy and The Sundance Kid had walked, stayed, and touched was epically amazing.
We even caught the opening night of the Cody Nite Rodeo. They literally have a rodeo every single night from end of May/first of June through August. I mean, Cody is known as the Rodeo Capitol of the World.
Yes, that's me on Mongo, the bull. He's since been retired and is enjoying life on the farm with all the ladies. Norman, is the new bull; can't wait to meet him!
We drove through Yellowstone on our way home and just off the road saw this fella. Handsome lil guy.
If you ever get a chance to visit Cody, I highly recommend it. People are friendly and down to earth. Food is delicious. If you're of age, try the Kilted Cowboy Scottish Ale at the WYOld West Taproom. SO good. Go for a trail ride. Tour the museums. Walk the town. Eat at The Meatery and try the buffalo burger. YUM.
From the bottom of my heart, I thank you, Lindsay.
I hope you've enjoyed this glimpse into Cody, Wyoming. And I hope it helps you to imagine it better once you read Out of the Blue--which I hope to have ready for you soon.
As always, thank you for stopping by. Keep reading. Stay smiling. Find the blessings.
Your Lady of Literature,
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