TWO SMALL TOWNS ROLL OUT THE RED CARPET FOR VISITORS

Buffalo Bill's Cody is a showy town; tiny Fishtail has a good time, too

Amusements abound at the Buffalo Bill Cody Center of the West -- and Cody town herself; then there's Fishtail, Montana

Step right up to a feast of fantastic art as Cookie is doing at the Buffalo Bill Center's Whitney.

STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS

PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER

TWO SMALL TOWNS - CODY, WYOMING brings out the fun in a person.

So does FISHTAIL, MONTANA

Fishtail facts:

• Did you know that a town only one block long can produce a parade that stretches two miles?

• Check it out Saturday, June 27, at Fishtail Family Fun Day. Fishtail General Store is at the hub of the action.

A shoot-out in Cody, Wyo., takes place each evening by the Irma..

At the heart of the Saturday Fishtail Family Fun Day is the historic Fishtail Store.

Since its opening in 1900, Fishtail General Store has been operating in the same location in Fishtail, Montana. Bill and Katy Martin became enraptured with the store in 2000 and bought it.

They've imbued the warm and welcoming institution with the feel of an old-time antique  store-grocery-wine shop and gift shop which stocks an abundance of western memorabilia from candles to homemade jam, and this reporter's new paperback novel, "Lilian's Last Dance."

If you're anywhere around Fishtail, check out the all-day fun time June 27, for food, festivities, bakery, contests, games and the fun spirit that put Fishtail on the map. Give a pat to the pot belly stove, admire the original oak cases and old-time meat counter with great rib-eye steaks.

Horses will be part of the fun in Fishtail this Saturday, June 27.

CODY BOASTS a different kind of treasure -- both art and antiques.  And many surprises.  Did you know that one of the paintings in the gorgeous Whitney Museum features "roving eyes"?  The eyes of the doe in the painting will follow you as you walk about 10 feet in front of it. There are historic, eye-popping Bierstadt paintings -- used to lure settlers West -- but there are playful modern art paintings, too.

Keller takes a bow next to Buffalo Bill Cody in Cody, Wyoming.

WHAT WE love about two mall towns in the Northern Rockies, especially in summer, is the variety of beautiful scenery, historic attractions, fun restaurants and enticing places to stay.

REMEMBER to explore, learn and live, and check us out at www.whereiscookie.com

We're on the road touring "Lilian's Last Dance" in eastern Montana -- between Hardin, Forsyth and Miles City.  Tomorrow, we're on at 2 p.m.(Saturday) for a reading at the Miles City Library.  And we've been invited back to Cody in October, to read at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Catch our adventures, on the road for up to the minute travel tips

www.whereiscookie.com