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Cody, Wyoming – Experience the Old West

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A sign for Buffalo Bill Cody beer on the side of a buildingCody, nestled within the sprawling prairies and beautiful mountain ranges of Wyoming, named for “Buffalo Bill” Cody who started the town in the 1890’s, is the epitome of the wild west. It’s a smallish town with a population of about 10,000 residents; but being only 52 miles from Yellowstone’s east entrance they get hundreds of thousands of visitors every year. Apparently there are a lot of people seeking to experience that old west charm. Don’t let that fool you though, Cody is a gem with plenty of modern amenities; nice hotels, restaurants, shops, and museums.

Activities: In and near CodyAn Old West town with scrub brush in the foreground and mountains with a sunset in the background

Bring your cowboy hat because during the summer, June through August, you can attend the nightly rodeo; Cody is the Rodeo Capital of the World after all. Other must-see attractions are the Old Trail Town, Buffalo Bill Center of the West, Buffalo Bill Dam and visitors center, and the nearby Yellowstone National Park just to name a few.

We went to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in the morning before leaving town. However, we only had time to see a small portion of the five museums it actually houses. Next time we’ll plan a couple days! We did get to partake in a taste of the amazingly delicious campfire beans, biscuits, and coffee the cook had prepared at the chuckwagon out front of the museum that morning though. If you’re curious about how they cooked their food while traveling by wagon train and you’re there around noon when it’s done, we recommend it!

What to bring:

The main thing you need to bring is your sense of adventure! Fishing poles, hiking boots, camping gear, cowboy hats & boots (if you really want to experience the old west), are all optional but you’ll definitely want to bring your camera for capturing every fun moment you’re going to have.

Where to stay:A hotel sign for the Holiday Lodge in Cody, Wyoming

Whether you like hotels, motels, cabins, bed & breakfasts, or camping, Cody has it. We opted for a cute little motel near where the rodeo is held because it was pet friendly; something you have to take into consideration when traveling with your furry friends. Be sure to book early though, especially during the busy summer months when tourism is at it’s peak.

Where to eat:

We didn’t get a chance to dine out while in Cody but whenever I go to a new place I like to check Trip Advisor to see what others have to say about the local eateries. It’s better than picking at random and hoping you get something you like. The other thing to do is ask the locals about their recommendations, they’re usually more than happy to help.

Happy trails!

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Corsica – France’s best kept secret

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Corsica is a small island just Southeast of the French mainland in the Mediterranean sea. To tell you the truth, I didn’t know it existed until recently. Therefore, it was not on my radar as a place to visit.

A panoramic view water surrounded by rocky landscape in Corsica, France
Le Calanques De Piana, Corse, France

Planning our trip:

We came to learn about Corsica through the in-laws of our best friends daughter; a french couple, Serge and Karen R., who had recently moved to Los Angeles from Paris.

We were currently in the process of planning a trip to Europe with our friends, Dave and Karen L., to celebrate our 30th Anniversaries. We figured that since we were married the same year and we’ve been friends almost the entire time, it would be fun to see Europe together.

When Serge and Karen R., said they were going to be in France for a wedding at the same time and offered to show us around and be our “tour guides”, we couldn’t pass up the opportunity. At this point, we agreed to let them take over and plan our entire 16-day itinerary. After all, It’s not every day you get to vacation with cool people who speak the language and know their way around. The trip took us from the end of April through the middle of May.

Getting to Corsica:

After arriving in France with Dave and Karen and spending our first couple days in Paris, we took the train to Marseille. At this point, Serge and Karen R. picked us up in a rental van and we drove to Nice to board the ferry to Corsica. From here, we would all spend an entire week driving around the tiny island, literally.

Bastia to Porto Vecchio:

We arrived in Bastia the first night, had dinner, and stayed the night at Hotel La Corniche. The small hotel is situated high up with beautiful views of the surrounding hillside and a glimpse of the Mediterranean sea. The next day we took a walk in the rain to take in a bit more of the immediate scenery. After lunch we headed down the eastern coast to our Air B&B near Porto Vecchio. As was expected for spring weather it was cool and rainy during most of our three days there. Even so, we did some hiking and managed a day trip to Bonifacio on the southern coast to see the citadel, Old Town, and surrounding area.

Porto Vecchio to Serriera:

On the second half of our week-long visit we drove up the western coast to our Air B&B in Serriera. We made several stops along the narrow, winding, cliff side road for photos of wildflowers and the incredible Les Calanques de Piana. Les Calanques are the red rock cliffs along the coast high above the sea.

While in Serriera we took a day to visit the small village of Evisa which is situated in the mountains and surrounded by the Aitone forest. During our drive we were surprised and delighted to come across herds of goats and pigs roaming around and grazing along the mountainous roadside without a care. Definitely one of my favorite moments during our stay!

The following day we drove to Marine de Porto for a tour of Genoise Tower and later on went for an amazing hike around Les Calanques de Piana where we got some breathtaking views of the rocky Mediterranean coastline.

Serriera to Bastia:

As we left Serriera to embark on the last two days of our stay in Corsica we stopped in L’ile Rousse for gelato and shopping on our way to Barbaggio. Here, we stayed at a cute bed and breakfast among the vineyards. The little house that my husband, Jerry, and I stayed in was adorable with it’s grass covered roof!

The following day we drove to Patrimonio to check out the old church we had driven by earlier and then went for a long walk through the countryside. We just had to immerse ourselves in the vineyards before leaving. The next day we drove back to Bastia where we once again boarded the ferry. From here, we headed to Italy and the second half of our vacation in Florence and Venice!

Tips on travel to Corsica:

Overall, Corsica is a beautiful island with a lot of beautiful scenery to take in. Don’t miss seeing the birthplace, and now museum, of Napoleon Bonaparte located in Ajaccio, or the Citadel in Bonafacio that I mentioned before.

There is a multitude of activities to explore such as hiking, swimming, snorkeling, rock climbing, and of course shopping.

Unlike Paris, I think we would have been a bit “lost” without having someone who spoke French with us. It would be helpful to know some basics before going.

Check out my blog: Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers for more information regarding currency exchange, phone coverage, and power.


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Craters of the Moon – A Volcanic Wonderland

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Ok, not craters of the moon but a National Monument and Preserve in Idaho where there are hundreds of square miles of lava fields more than 2000 years old.

An old leaning tree on the left atop a hill with gold and green grasses and blue mountains and sky in the backgroundSpontaneous Travel:

My husband and I traveled to Idaho Falls, Idaho recently and spontaneously decided to check out this wildly intriguing landmark full of “craters” just 90 miles west. Since I love photography, and this park was recently designated an International Dark Sky Park, I wanted to attempt a picture of the Milky Way, despite it being a bit cloudy and having a lot of smoke in the air from wildfires. We bought an air mattress so we could camp in the back of our van rather than finding a hotel 20 miles away in the town of Arco. Conveniently, right inside the entrance to the preserve there was a 42 site campground with 3 restroom buildings. They were complete with sinks and flushing toilets. And all for only $15 per night. Yay! With that and the $20 entrance fee to the park we were all in for $35.

The Golden Hour:

We arrived at Craters of the Moon just before sunset. So, after getting settled in to our spot we took off walking to find some nice shots of the landscape during the “golden hour”. I am still amazed at how stark, yet full of life, it is. There’s a variety of grasses, flowers, trees and shrubs scattered throughout the volcanic landscape making for a very surreal scene. Later that evening as the sky got darker, and the clouds miraculously cleared, we headed back out to attempt that shot of the Milky Way. We managed to get a couple but there was still a lot of smoke in the air and it wasn’t as good as we had hoped for. Better luck next time I guess.

Craters of the Moon:

The next morning we took a drive through the park and stopped at all the different lookout and scenic trail spots. It’s not a large preserve and we were able to see most everything in less than one day. We really enjoyed Devil’s Orchard; a beautiful, half mile, wheelchair accessible, paved loop perfect for anyone who is unable to hike. We then climbed the .5 miles up Inferno Cone to see the spectacular panoramic views. This hike is only a little steep, with a vertical incline of 164 feet, and totally worth it! However, I’m a little sad we didn’t have time to make it to the caves this trip (which you need a special, but free, permit to explore by the way). I understand they’re pretty cool.

Two Pomeranian dogs in the Craters of the Moon campground with trees and shrubs in the backgroundTraveling with pets:

Since this was a spur of the moment trip we weren’t prepared for a lot of hiking let alone spelunking. The other problem was that we had our dogs with us. Although they are allowed in the campground area they are not allowed on the trails. And we didn’t want to leave them locked in the van with the engine running and the air conditioning on for more than a few minutes at a time. Remember to keep your furry friends in mind when planning your trip. They’re a joy to have along but a burden when trying to sightsee places that are not pet friendly.

We’ve been to a few National Parks and Monuments but so far Craters of the Moon has the most unexpected sights; it’s so very different and beautifully kept. I hope you get a chance to see it soon.

Onward…


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Bryce Canyon, Utah – A home for Hoodoo’s

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A colorful photo of the Hoodoos from the rim of Bryce Canyon in Utah

We recently took our second trip to Bryce Canyon for another look at this amazing landscape full of Hoodoos. Those are the pillar shaped rocks jutting up out of the ground, in case you were wondering. We had first visited in 2017 because our best friends who own Boston Brick and Stone, a masonry company out of Pasadena, California, were there doing what they do best; historic chimney restoration on the cabins at Bryce Canyon Lodge. What a perfect setting to spend a bit of free time with friends!

Bryce Canyon Hiking:

While in Bryce for three days we had the opportunity to hike a couple of trails through the canyon. We did Peek a Boo Loop and Queens Garden Trail. Although a bit steep, they were fairly easy to maneuver and completely wore us out by the end. The trails have varying lengths and additional trails to take off on. Be sure to bring a park map along so you can pick where and how much you want to do. While the distances aren’t very long, the hiking time will vary depending on your mobility. And how much you time you spend taking photos (like me). If you’re there in the summer the heat can take it’s toll on you as well. Check out my other tips below in the “What to pack” section.

Trail Rides: 
People on a trail ride through Bryce Canyon, Utah

Something else you can do here is take a trail ride. We didn’t do it ourselves but were passed going into the canyon by several who did. I think this is a great option for people who can’t or don’t want to hike. This might also be a more fun way to get around for families with kids who would otherwise be bored by just “walking” in the hot sun. Personally, I prefer the slow route so I can stop and take in the scenery. Not to mention, I find it hard to take photos while being jostled around on the back of a horse!

 

A perspective photo of the bike path going through the brush towards the red rocks going from Red Canyon to Bryce Canyon in Utah
Cycling:

On the day between hikes we took a leisurely one way bike ride on the approximately 10 miles of paved bike path from Bryce Canyon Lodge to the visitors center at Red Canyon. Here, we had another friend pick us up in our van and bring us back to the resort. Just a little cheating to save time for other activities! The path runs through some forested areas and along the highway leading in and out of the park as well as through areas of brush. If you don’t have a bike with you there are several places in Bryce where you can rent them. It’s just another great way to see the sights that can’t be seen from the road driving by in your car.

Red Canyon:

Speaking of Red Canyon, we took the opportunity to hike there on our return trip this year and were more than impressed by it’s beauty. The trails are shorter than Bryce Canyon and much easier to maneuver, meaning less steep, and the scenery is very serene, relaxing, and picture perfect. You won’t believe this landscape. It looks and feels like you’re walking through a painting. The variation in color between the red and tan rocks and the green of the trees against the blue sky is amazing! A definite must-see.

ATV tours:

Another fun thing we did differently this year was to rent a four seat ATV from Bryce ATV Rentals and explored the dusty trails of Coyote Hollow Loop and part of Badger Creek Loop in Dixie National Forest. The trip took us four hours with photo stops and a stop for lunch. Along the way you can stop to see some ancient Bristlecone Pines and Tropic Reservoir. As far as other sights go it’s possible to see antelope, deer, elk, and other wildlife. And if you’re not familiar with ATV’s then you’ll want to be prepared to get dirty. We left with a small cooler full of water and snacks and returned with dust in every nook & cranny you could think of. So much so that when we returned to the rental place we were greeted with a leaf blower!

A bluish green photo of the Milky Way from the rim of Bryce Canyon, Utah
Night photography:

At night it gets so dark in the park that when the skies are clear you can’t make out the constellations because so many stars are visible. It’s perfect for getting shots of the Milky Way! Everywhere I go I look for opportunities to do night, and or long exposure, photos because it brings an entirely different point of view to a scene. On this night I managed to get a pretty good shot with some distant ambient light from nearby towns. I could have stayed out for hours but it was getting chilly and we had a long drive back to Denver the next morning.

What to pack:

If you’re planning on hiking, comfy lightweight clothes and hiking boots or other sturdy shoes are best. I’ve seen people trodding down in flip-flops and wondered how far they might make it. Hiking poles may be helpful when climbing the hills as well. The terrain is up and down and can be pretty steep, especially when going into and coming out of the canyon. As always, be sure to take plenty of water and wear sunscreen. You may even want to stash some snacks in your backpack if you plan to be out for a while. And don’t forget your camera! There are a lot of beautiful shots to be had out there.

Where to stay and eat in Bryce Canyon:

Bryce Canyon Lodge offers a number of choices if you want to be right there within walking distance of the rim of the canyon.There are several hotels and motels outside the park that are closer to restaurants and shops, and if you prefer there are also several campgrounds nearby.

Enjoy!

Book The Lodge at Bryce Canyon on Expedia →

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Europe – Helpful tips for first-time travelers

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Planning your first trip to Europe? Here are few quick tips I wish I had had before going.

Euros: Currency Exchange
A black and white photo of the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France

A lot of places in Europe accept credit cards; make sure you get one that doesn’t charge a fee for using it out of the country. And be sure to let them know when you’ll be traveling. I used a Capital One Venture card which also let me earn points toward travel.

We discovered that the best way to exchange dollars to euros was to go to an ATM when you arrive; you will get whatever the current exchange rate is, no hassle. Currency exchanges charge a higher rate and they will tack on a service charge.

Power: Dual voltage vs. single voltage AND adapter vs. converter.

We learned by chance that most of our phone and camera chargers are dual voltage; we had no idea. i.e. Nikon battery charger and laptop charger. If yours is dual voltage it will say ‘Input: 110-240v’ which means all you need is the european adapter. You can now plug directly into the wall. If you have a charger that is 110v ONLY, then you will also need the converter (converts 240v to 110v). A lot of places sell a set that contains both the power converter and the european plug adapter.

Charging on the go:

Another thing that came in handy while we were traveling was a portable USB charger. When you’re out sightseeing all day you don’t have time to stop and charge your phone which you’ve been using to navigate the city and take tons of photos. You can charge the charger while you are in for the night and use it to keep all your USB devices charged while you’re out. We were a group of six and it seems that at least one of us always needed some extra juice to get us through the day.

International Calling Plans:

There are several ways you can stay connected while traveling. We opted to get a plan with our carrier, AT&T, that let us pay $10 for each day we needed to call, text or email. At the time it was the most economical choice for us. I’m not very tech savvy and therefore I found this ABC News link that has more helpful information.

Travel: Different ways to get around Europe.

You’ve probably seen the movie Planes, Trains and Automobiles. Well, that’s what it was for us. We flew from Denver, Colorado to Paris, France and then took a Lyft/Uber to our Air B&B. After a couple days in Paris we took the high speed train to Marseille where our friends picked us up in a rental van and we continued on to Nice and boarded the ferry to Corsica. After a week driving around the island, literally, we took the ferry to Livorno, Italy and drove to Florence; three days later it was another train ride to Venice for a few days and a water taxi to the Venice airport to get us back to Paris for our trip home. Whew! The point I’m trying to make is that all the forms of travel were super easy to maneuver and now that we’ve done it all once it will be really easy to confront the next time we go.

As is with most things it’s best to book early on any mode of transportation you choose.

Dining: Go with the flow.

As I mentioned in a previous blog, Venice, Italy – Getting lost in adventure!, we stayed in a lot of Air B&B’s where we were able to shop and prepare some of our meals. Of course we also wanted to experience the local cuisine which was generally pretty good. I think the consensus was that the favorite meal during our trip was the hamburgers at Cocorico in Paris.

Breakfast:

While charcuterie is great on occasion, you will find it dominates a lot of menus and is even served as breakfast; you will be hard pressed to find anything more than a soft or hard boiled egg. I witnessed more than once, friends coming back from a trip to Europe and commenting how all they wanted right now was an American breakfast! Even after an internet search all I came up with is a link to Spoon University where someone else made it their quest to find one. You can always ask your server. My guess is that maybe you can find something more “American” in the upper end hotels. Feel free to send me information and I’ll update it here. Good luck!

Coffee:

The other thing you will have a hard time finding is a regular cup of coffee. I’m not a big coffee drinker so it wan’t a big deal for me even though I do like a latte now and then. My recommendation is to either pack yourself a french press or take some instant coffee packets. For more on the coffee situation abroad check out this article from AFAR. 

Wine:
A beautiful display of fruit and gelato in a shop in Florence, Italy

Bottles of wine in both France and in Italy are very reasonably priced. We ordered a bottle with dinner in Florence and paid about 32 euro (approx $36 at the time) for a bottle that would have cost us closer to $80 here in the U.S. If you’re curious about the cost of wines in Europe , or anywhere, there’s a great app called Vivino where you can scan the bottle with your phone and learn all about how it rates, how much it goes for and read reviews by others.

Favorites:

Last but not least, you of course can’t go without trying all the staples; crepes, chocolate croissants, gelato, pizza by the slice, and the paninis. Don’t plan to diet while on your trip because everywhere you go the food is displayed in windows like glimmering packages just begging to be opened! Bon Appetite!