TWB July 14th 2018 Experience: Day 17- Cody, Wyoming

Day 17: Cody, Wyoming

Howdy y’all, it’s the Happys in the house!! This wonderful group consists of: Hannah Uglehus, Sophie Butler, Matthew Whalen, Avery Walker, Molly Church, Ashley Blum, Kate Williams, Bailey Tindall, Carsyn Parrott, Preston Bisson, Cody Ballard, Emma Roby, Margaret Gourley, and Wilson Moore. Today, the beginning cooks became the bloggers and y’all are in for a treat!:)

Today we woke up at 6:45 at the Ponderosa Campgrounds in Cody, Wyoming. It was a whopping 52 degrees! First, we headed off for white water rafting on Shoshone river and got picked up by white school buses with vintage leather seating. It was a quick trip to the first stop to get our life jackets and wind breakers. After another quick trip, we headed to the river and split off into groups of nine and ten. Before we could head down the freezing cold river, we were given a safety precaution and met our granola guides.

Getting into our rafts, we embarked on our 12-mile journey down the river. The rowers were on the outside and the people on the inside were along for the ride. Everyone got wet! Some, more than others. Many of us were still in sleep mode until we were splashed by the freezing cold water. In the first hour or so, we were delighted by the smell of boiled eggs coming from the geysers full of sulfur.

Each raft had its own adventure. Some consisted of singers, splashers, divers, dancers and storytellers. The wildlife we encountered included; geese, deer, blue herons, ospreys, as well as many fishermen. As we floated down the river, we experienced many different types of splashes. There were many class two rapids, and one exhilarating class three splash that soaked everyone. In the calm sections, we had a chance to jump out into the chilly waters.

Headed back to the campgrounds, we were greeted by John the Cowboy, shaved specifically for the rodeo. John, Grant, Dallas, and Joseph prepared a delicious brunch consisting of; eggs, grits, sausage and toast. A couple of participants got to try apple butter for the first time! We washed our pallets with refreshing orange juice and apple juice. Hungry rafters went back for seconds and even thirds!

After breakfast, the Sleepiest of cooks headed to Walmart to gather food for the next couple of meals while others finally showered. You would be amazed by the fresh smelling scents…about time! Also, we had a chance to do our laundry. In our free time, Kat led a yoga session, people passed the soccer ball around, many called home and others walked to Dairy Queen. During our free time, the cooks made an original meal of PB and J’s. After, TWB turned into cowboys and cowgirls for the big rodeo!

Once we all got dolled up, our fine dining experience consisted of chicken nuggets, brown rice, corn, and cookies. Our thirst was quenched by raspberry lemonade. After dinner, we saddled up for downtown Cody, Wyoming, where many partnered up for a two for twenty-dollar deal on cowboy hats. While venturing through downtown, some experienced a gun show, some bought soda, and some got a great deal on belt buckles.

Meeting back on the bus at seven, we headed to Cody Nite Rodeo, where some sat on top of Mongo the bull for ten dollars. Some also rode the mechanical bull, including our fearless co-director, Dallas Godbold. Around eight o’clock, the rodeo began. Taking up most of section D, we were the life of the party as we cheered for the barrel racers and the bucking bulls. Some highlights of the night included Dallas catching a t-shirt, and our new twelve year olds (Mary Lewis Jonson and Hana Blair) who made their way down to the arena. In the arena, they chased calves around to attempt to grab the ribbon off of their tails. We led many sing-a-longs from section D and were so loud that the rodeo clown (Wild Willie) threw a t-shirt to the most enthusiastic participant, which was once again, our one and only, Dallas Godbold. The bull riders capped the night with a high score of 74. Shout-out to cowboy Matt! After departing the rodeo, we shortly arrived at Ponderosa Campground to bed down from a long eventful day!

Catch y’all tomorrow, YEE-HAW!!!