The Iron Horse Alaskan Adventure: Day 5 - Casper, Wyoming to Cody, Wyoming. Today's miles - 220. Total Mileage From Indy

As the guys left Casper this morning they all began to notice how much the terrain changed.

There was also a significant change in the attitude of that terrain. Everyone noted that the green had gone away. Everything around them looked so desolate, sun scorched and wind burned. A harsh image of that may spring forth in your mind. But, there is beauty in all of that as well.

All y'all see any grass?

Fred stops by the side of the road to admire those mobile homes in the distance.

There has been a drastic change in elevation since the group left Indianapolis. The mean elevation around Indianapolis is 717 feet. Cody, Wyoming boasts that they sit at 5,016 feet above sea level.

Much of the ride today was along the scenic byway located in Wind River Canyon. The canyon was carved out by the Wind River. It lies between the cities of Thermopolis and Shoshoni. The southern mouth of the canyon is at the Boysen Dam in Boysen State Park. The canyon also borders the Wind River Indian Reservation. A fair amount of homes, as well as, the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad are also included in the canyon. The northern end of the canyon is at the Wedding of the Waters. This is where the Wind River becomes the Big Horn River.

As you travel south through the Wind River Canyon towards the dam, you get the impression that you are traveling down hill. The Wind River flows against you making the water appear to be running up hill! A strange sight to behold.

Mileage wise the boys traveled only 220 miles. This is the least amount of distance that they have gone in one day to date. That left them plenty of time to check out the town of Cody and time for some necessities, like laundry.

They have arrived in Cody, Wyoming.

It was either free sample day at the Bank of the West,

or these dudes had been planning a shopping spree in Cody all along and stopped to get more cash.

Having lunch and a couple of thirst quenching, adult beverages also seemed like a necessity.

Um...David and Fred, there will be no more complaining about the ladies shopping trips.

One day, Mike went shopping in Cody, Wyoming. He found the hat section of the Western Store.

He rang the bell for assistance but found that no one was there. So he decided to try on some of the hats.

He tried on a fancy black bowler and said, "This hat is too big."

Even though there is no photographic evidence he tried on a couple more hats. (You just have to trust me on this, it's how the story goes. Okay?) When he tried on the second hat he said, "This hat is too small!"

"Awww, this hat is just right", he said as he tried on the final hat. So he went to the cashier, paid for the hat, and wore it while he shopped around Cody, Wyoming some more. The end.

See, just as the story said, he really did wear the new hat for more shopping. Definitely a non-fiction story.

Now when you look at Stu, like those kids in the right hand side of the photo are doing, he just looks like he belongs out west. Can you hear the theme song from The Good, The Bad and The Ugly playing right now?
As you can also see in the photo, Stu's done a bit of shopping too. Can't wait to see what he purchased.

Before After

What is different about the back of Stu's motorcycle? Compare the "Before" and "After" images. Hmmm....a lariat, more turquoise beads, a larger American flag, shopping bags with additional arrows and who knows what else. Poor little Harry, he's being crushed under all those purchases.

Joe and Fred, these two finally gave up on the shopping gig and people watched.

Thankfully David's necessity was doing laundry. Joe, his room mate, will be so happy to smell, uh hear, this.

See him pressing that nice white shirt? A big shout out to Lori on that. Well done!

The guys headed to the rodeo arena

Officially starting in 1919, the Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede has been held every summer around the 4th of July. 2013 marks the 94th year anniversary of the rodeo's nightly performances! Cody is one of the longest running successful professional rodeos. It is also the only place in the United States that has a rodeo performance every single night. Here you can see bare back riding, tie down roping, team roping, bull riding, steer wrestling, saddle bronc riding and barrel racing.