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Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park can be worked into a driving trip bonus. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" The Wapiti Valley on the approach to Yellowstone National Park's east entrance, outside of Cody, Wyo., offers strange and beautiful rock formations. CHIEF AMONG the pleasures of our Road trip - Montana to California are the surprises. On this week in America, we appreciate our country's roadside attractions. We relish stopping to admire the landscape, perhaps exploring a bluff or bridge we haven't noticed before. We smell the roses, as Keller says, "as we stroll through the garden of life." Often we pull over to give ourselves and the dog a break. This leads to taking a few photos, studying a roadside plaque or grabbing a milkshake at a newly discovered diner.  An international array of visitors stopped the day we did at the Piedras Blancas Elephant seal Rookery on the central California coast. Road trip - Montana to California included a side trip Through Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a stop at Evel Knievel's Snake River jump site in Twin Falls, Idaho And a two-day layover to savor an ocean view and photograph the elephant seal Piedras Blancas rookery on the central California coast. We treasure that "unplugged" feeling a road trip offers. For us, the trip is the journey and the destinations are part of the trip, enhanced by the experience of being together, visiting, listening to books on tape and studying the region with tour books and Triple A literature. THIS LATEST driving trip also included an overnight in Cody, Wyo., for a mock gunfight outside the historic Irma Hotel and an hour-long tour on Cody's entertaining trolley.  Buffalo Bill Center of the West has several world class museums and is a great reason to overnight in Cody, Wyo. We advise mapping your driving trip around interesting towns or stops where you'll have something to do - whether it be a few hours in a museum, such as Cody's fabulous Buffalo Bill Center of the West, or an hour in a small historic museum such as the ones in Nevada towns. With a bit of homework, you'll have an entertaining diversion or two during your nights on the road. WHEN WE hit the road, we have hotels booked for each night, and we follow a strict rule that we go no further than 300 miles a day. Three or four hours driving time is our max, building in an hour or two for stops -- gas, meals, dog walk, miscellaneous discoveries. We find that after a few hours of driving, our attention spans diminish. Overnight breaks help keep us fresh and interested on our way! UP NEXT: While we're road tripping, we're making a couple of stops for more in-depth stories. Evel Knievel is famous for his daring motorcycle escapades, including one that didn't quite work, over the Snake River, at left. We'll explore the legendary daredevil's jumps, including one that failed. Daredevil Evel Knievel's abortive attempt to jump the Snake River is incorporated into a fine Twin Falls, Idaho, museum, well worth a stop on a road trip.  Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live, and catch us Fridays for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more: whereiscookie.com -- and share the links, please.

Giraffes enjoy lunch at the B Bryan Preserve, a haven for endangered African animals near Point Arena, California  Cookie feeds the giraffes, a thrill! STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" You might not expect a northern California wildlife preserve along the rugged coastline. But B Bryan Preserve has been actively committed to the breeding and preservation of African hoof stock for over a decade. Located Point Arena, California, the preserve's animals range from critically endangered to endangered and include various species of zebra, giraffe, and antelope. It's owner Frank Mello explains it is "definitely not a zoo, but a private preserve housing majestic African animals in our large open fields." Owner Frank Mello greets a beloved giraffe. THOUSANDS  of miles from Africa, Frank and his wife Judy, an animal-cherishing northern California couple, are doing their best to preserve endangered critters continents away. In a climate and terrain similar to the creatures' native habitat, B Bryan Preserve   is a haven for animals that are likely on their literal last legs in Africa. It takes a tall barn to provide comfortable lodging for giraffes. The enterprise's founding couple is committed to the breeding and conservation of African hoof stock. Frank Mello and his wife, Judy, are lifelong wildlife enthusiasts from opposite corners of the United States. Frank, a Northern California native, met Judy in the corporate world in her native Mississippi. . Frank knows every animal by name on the B Bryan Preserve. Back story of northern California wildlife preserve WHILE JUDY  was tending to the cottages the couple rents to boost income for the wildlife endeavor, we toured the place with Frank as our guide.  He began with this melancholy greeting:  "If you haven't been to Africa, I urge you to go.  Some of the animals you see today will not exist there for much longer." Zebras contribute their exotic look to northern California's Point Arena. JUDY HAS  traveled to several parts of Africa, experiencing the beauty with increasing concern. In my own trips, I've been made painfully aware of the diminishing numbers of giraffes, zebras, elephants, rhinos, lions, tigers and more.  Alarm at the continent's continuing devastation of wildlife is the couple's motivation.  Frank's love of the creatures of Africa stems from his deep affection for wildlife and love of beauty along the California coast. He conveys his concern about diminishing numbers on several disturbing charts which he shares before the tour, as guests gather in a large storage barn. FRANK  prepares eager tourists for what they will see -- a working farm where several species are loved and protected.  The couple raise, breed and study various kinds of antelope -- roan, sable and greater kudu antelope as well as Grevy’s and Hartmann’s Mountain Zebra and the Rothschild’s Giraffe. Visitors can get up close and personal, here photographing giraffes. It's a  fascinating, up-close look at critters, with only a few wildlife lovers exploring the 100-acre complex at a time, riding in the back of a land rover or driving your own vehicle, exiting the van at various stops to view the critters close-up.  Frank provides gruff but enlightening commentary, taking  visitors through the history of the endeavor, stressing the importance of  wildlife conservation. B Bryan Preserve charts the decline of several endangered African species. * 10 a.m.: a Self-Guided Car Safari* where you drive your own vehicle * 10 a.m.: a Private VIP Tour for up to 8 people 3:30 p.m.: a Guided Tour in Land Rovers Overnight accommodations are available in one of eco-friendly, nicely appointed cottages. Visit the website for more information or to book: bbryanpreserve.com A walk into the gardens of B Bryan Preserve leads to an enlightening time. Frank's northern California roots called in 2004 and the couple purchased a 100 acre ranch, moving 11 animals to Point Arena in verdant Mendocino County. A few are from San Diego's famous wildlife park. Since then, they've added endangered Grevy’s and Hartmann’s Mountain zebra, plus Rothschild’s Giraffe to the welcoming acres of their preserve. THE COUPLE  is devout in their preaching:  wildlife habitats around the world continue to decline. Many species are on the verge of extinction, forced from their native habitat by over population and poaching. Degradation of grazing land,  the swelling population of humans and hunger leading to poaching are the enemies of these beautiful creatures. "Add to that massive political and social unrest, the presence of AK 47s in the hands of rebels and the animal world is in crisis," Frank said. COMING SOON: Visitors from around the world enjoy San Simeon, a site to behold on California's central coast. Coming soon at www.whereiscookie.com A newspaper tycoon with more money than he could possibly spend built a monument to himself, his publishing empire, and the world's great art.  William Randolph Hearst's San Simeon is our next stop. We travel with a sense of adventure and an eye out for fun and the offbeat.   Join us and remember to explore, learn and live, at www.whereiscookie.com

Sunset in California, along the Pacific, isa leisurely affair, often with fast-moving clouds. What is home? Two places capture the hearts of our traveling team Where we love is home - home that our feet may leave, but not our hearts. --  Oliver Wendell Holmes For the two of us, home isn't a place. It is a person.  -- Stephanie Perkins STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Living between two places might seem like a life divided, but for us, it has become a life deeply connected. The conduit is nature. Though Montana and California offer vastly different landscapes -- one defined by rugged mountains and quiet forests, the other by rolling waves and sunlit shores -- we feel at home in both. The thread that ties them together isn’t buildings or routines. It is nature itself. Whether we’re standing beneath towering pines or walking along the coastline, there’s a familiar rhythm in the wind, light, and open space that reminds us we belong.  A contented seal enjoys Southern California beach life. IF HOME IS where the heart is, then our home and heart are mobile. Home is, for us, deeply connected to trees, water and sunsets. Gorgeous sunsets on the California coast and over the rocky cliffs of the Beartooth Mountains. We need to be surrounded by favorite people, the natural world and "our stuff" -- paintings, books, pianos, gardens, bird feeders, theater Playbills. A couple favorite cooking pots.  A tea strainer.  A pair of porcelain coffee mugs made by my potter brothers. A photo of my mother playing violin and Keller's mother painting -- we have those in both homes. The feeders are attracting a mix of bright birds. Finding home in nature Finding "home in nature" is knowing my way around a kitchen and locating the ginger, dill and green tea.  Or hanging the finch and hummingbird feeders and having my first customers buzz my head and dip for a snack before I get back inside the house. HOME IS  the sweet song of birds, the sheen on the Rimrocks north of Billings, the looming San Diego skyline, the storybook Oceanside harbor up the coast. Home means egrets in the sand, eagles in the pines. And trees. Here in California, the palms, Torrey Pines and eucalyptus form a comfort zone. IN MONTANA  it's the aspen, cottonwoods and pines. Both places have distinct smells -- musky earth from recent rain and my garden marigolds in Montana, salty sea air and the patio orchids in California. The trees and Mediterranean brush of southern California. But always trees.  Without these, I'd be rootless! Herman Hesse loved the rustle of trees, "when we stand uneasy before our own childish thoughts."  He felt that trees have "long thoughts," and that because they generally live longer than we do, "they are wiser than we are." Home also has to do with a feeling of safety. For me, the beauty of the natural world has long calmed me, producing a sense of The picturesque Oceanside Harbor welcomes the writer home, from another home in beloved Montana. security and absence of anxiety. Ultimately, the feeling of being "home" and "at home" is an amalgam of emotions, comforts and connections dating back to our infancy. Being greeted by a loved one -- partner, sibling, parent -- also signals "home." FAMILIAR SIGHTS -- for me, the mountains and ocean -- welcome me, make me feel grounded, safe and comforted.  The sea and hills welcome me and confirm that I'm home. I'm lucky to have two places that make me feel happy and connected to nature. Cookie and Keller enjoy a sail up the California coast her first day back. Home is the wide open spaces of Montana, surrounded by aspen and fir, meadowlarks and robins, in the shadow of the Beartooths. Home is also a favorite beach, for a barefoot stroll beneath palms. On the Oceanside shore of Southern California, dolphins and whales vie for attention. Osprey nest on top of light fixtures and telephone poles in both our states. RATHER THAN  looking for deer, antelope and bears, I'm sailing past sunning seals and into the Pacific. Both places offer abundant delights from the natural world -- daily doses of extraordinary beauty. The first few days of "being home" are always rewarding, whether I'm coming or going, whether my destination is California or Montana. A stop at Queen Califia's Magical Garden spells "home" in California. MY AUGUST BIRTHDAY revels are fully underway, with parties and presents in Montana, then more awaiting my arrival  in San Diego. I'm taking only a few days for this California visit, to connect with friends, partake of a favorite Jazzercise class, go sailing and take in a few plays and concerts. This week's line-up includes a Lyle Lovett concert tonight at Humphreys By the Bay, a beloved venue right on the ocean, which we'll feature in next week's post. There's a play Friday, "In the Heights," downtown at the Lyceum, in Horton Plaza. An opportunity to view one of the prettiest skylines in the country. San Diego's palm trees and skyline also say "home".   And there is time for a sunset at our favorite cocktail and appetizer spot, La Jolla Shores. A QUICK TRIP  to Harrah's Rincon Resort and Casino restores my gambler's soul and, for a change, I leave a few dollars ahead. Time, too, for a picnic at Queen Califia's Magical Garden, that enticing artful sculpture circle in Escondido's Kit Carson Park. HOW LUCKY  we are to have two nature driven places in which we feel comfortable. When we're back in Montana in a few days, home is cattle and deer, the Stillwater River, rafters instead of the surfers, birds and sailboats of southern California. Both places shelter us with trees -- palms and eucalyptus in SoCal, fir, pine and aspen in the northern Rockies. THE GYPSY in me loves travel -- mulling over brochures to choose a new destination or return to a favorite place. But home will always be two distinct and different places -- the wilds of Montana and the beaches and hills of southern California.  Here, in these two places tied together forever in our hearts, we come and go -- leaving home and coming home, content whichever direction we're going! COMING SOON:   A sold-out concert by gifted singer songwriter Lyle Lovett is one of the enticements at Humphreys Concerts By the Bay, for Birthday Girl Cookie.  Humphreys is a popular seaside performance venue which lured the writer "home" to San Diego from her rural Montana writing studio. Plus we'll look at Montana theater, Egypt's changes and Brazil. Lyle Lovett is one of Cookie's favorite singers. Remember to explore, learn and live. Check us out weekly at:   www.whereiscookie.com

Hundreds of elephant seals -- once nearly extinct -- swim in a few weeks each year to breed on central California's coast. It's a phenomenon worthy of a stop for wildlife lovers worldwide. WONDROUS SIGHT: Elephant seals on California coast LAZE, SHOW THEIR STUFF TO DELIGHT OF TOURISTS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Along the windswept coastline near San Simeon, a truly wild experience awaits at the famed Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery. Here, hundreds -- sometimes thousands -- of northern elephant seals sprawl across the sand, their enormous bodies rising and falling as waves crash nearby. During peak seasons, the beach comes alive with the deep, echoing calls of dominant males, the watchful presence of mothers and pups, and the ever-changing drama of survival. It’s a rare chance to stand just steps away from one of nature’s most fascinating gatherings, where the power and vulnerability of wildlife unfold in real time. From a walkway far above their habitat, tourists from all over the globe observe the elephant seal habitat below. Volunteers have helped save the elephant seal and create a lovely display with informative posters. NEARLY EXTINCT  at one time, the elephant seal is making a whale of a comeback. Female elephant seals on California coast far outnumber the more elusive males. As the seals surrender to dusk, a lovely sunset caps the day near San Simeon. There's something wonderfully joyous about gazing down at the beach to behold them stretched out on the sand. Finding elephant seals on the California Coast means you're watching a  rare sight: a veritable bounty of elephant seals at rest and play, a sight seen in few places on the planet. They groom themselves, snuggle and snooze.  You hear their calls, watch them romp and tend their young, and revel in the miracle of their existence. These beautiful creatures were nearly destroyed by man, but they're making an elephantine (pardon the pun) comeback.  By the way, they take their name not from their gigantic size but from their trunk-like inflatable snouts. We'd driven many times past the Piedras Blancas Elephant Seal Rookery, but didn't stop until recently, while staying at our favorite Cavalier Motel overnight stop in San Simeon.  SUE, THE FRIENDLY  hotel check-in clerk, told us the elephant seals were "in" -- big news, because they spend between eight and 10 months of the year in the waters.  We drove north from the motel about 10 or so miles, enjoying California's lovely central coast. When we came upon a couple dozen cars, we knew we'd arrived at the viewing area, which spreads several miles 90 miles south of Monterey. Spectacular view from Cavalier Oceanfront Resort balcony suite, a quick drive to the elep[hant seals. IF YOU'RE  planning to visit Hearst Castle State Historical Monument in San Simeon, this is just a stone's throw, worth staying another half-day.  It's just over a mile south of Point Piedras Blancas. Viewing is open daily, wheelchair accessible, and free. We watched these beautiful creatures with families, campers and city folk -- an international crowd enjoying the seals at close range. The place is above sea and fenced off, to keep the insensitive from wandering too close. Spectacular way to spend a couple hours. Check to make sure they're "in" at California State Parks, or Friends of the Elephant Seal:    fes@elephantseal.org Inn by the Lake in Lake Tahoe offers warm hospitality, pleasant views, nearby attractions.   UP NEXT:  Lake Tahoe beckons, with a pet-friendly motel that offers a great cup of coffee and old-fashioned service. Then a cruise on the lake offers dancing, romancing, spectacular scenery and fine fare. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us each Friday when we post for the weekend. Smart, funny, insightful study of feminism its ripples, circles and adjustments over the last half century.

Hunter Peak Lodge Cody Wyoming ENTERPRISING COUPLE OFFERS PEACE, WHOLESOME FOOD IN GORGEOUS SETTING The pristine wilderness area of the Hunter Peak Ranch is a delightful respite from the ravages of contemporary life. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER Over supper, Louie told of a bear chasing a grasshopper. The bear danced, the hopper escaped.  His stories are part of the fun of a stay at Hunter Peak. IF YOU want a get-away with room service, plenty of activity, and five-star spa treatment, Hunter Peak Ranch is not the place for you. Cookie enters the spacious accommodation at Hunter Peak. But if you desire serenity in a sublime setting, tasty home cooking, hiking out the door, wildlife out the window, and friendly folk when you want company,  Hunter Peak Ranch Cody Wyoming is tailor made for you! The proprietors are characters! Louis ("Louie") and Shelley Cary are hardworking, down-home people with an obvious love of the land and what they do. Autumn is in the air! Bees make the most and there's snow on peaks near Hunter. Louie was raised on the property, which has been in the family since the 1930s. Shelley came on board in 1969 and they raised a family here. Named for the spectacular peak, the ranch is nestled beneath the mountains on the Clarks Fork River in the Shoshone. A corral houses horses and pack animals, with bear-proof garbage cans. Imagine this picturesque scene years ago, when only a dirt road connected the ranch to Cody. "It took four or more hours to get there," Louie recalls, "and mail delivery came only once a week." WE CHOSE a two-day retreat at this laid back Wyoming spot because we were tired. Nearing the end of an arduous remodeling project, we longed for a quiet place, surrounded by beauty. Friends recommended Hunter Peak Ranch Cody Wyoming, It was perfect. Louie and Shelley are the third generation to operate the ranch, and pride themselves in their old-fashioned work ethic and sense of hospitality. Cookie, Nick and Nora enjoy the dog-friendly digs. There's a corral with horses and donkeys, neat stacks of fire wood everywhere, and trails to take you across the road or by the river. Louie cleared and leveled a road while we were there. Five minutes from our cabin, this lovely scene awaited! The couple -- Louis and Shelley -- manage the guest ranch to honor the tradition established through the generations: a friendly welcome, good food, pretty environment. Suites and rooms are named after the nearby mountains. "We're not babysitters," Shelley told me. "We want people to be self starters, but we're around if need be." THE ROOMS  range from  a grouping of bunkhouse-type cabins (where we stayed, because they are pet friendly), to individual cabins near the water, some with fireplaces.  If we return, we'd love to stay in one of those because having a private fireplace would have been icing on the tasty cake! The scenery was called "a celestial paradise" by one writer, and it truly is. Shelley and Louie Cary. After a torrential rain, complete with rainbows, Louie leveled the road early the next morning. WE FOUND  our cabin comfy and roomy, with a kitchen suitable for fixing meals. We prepared a supper and breakfast here and enjoyed a meal with the Carys another evening. The food was wonderful: steaks cooked to order, quinoa side dish, fruit salad, homemade rolls and a delicious peach and pear pie baked by Shelley that afternoon.  Rates range from $150 a night to a couple thousand a week for the larger cabins which accommodate up to 10 or 12. THERE ARE  pet friendly rooms! As mentioned, this is a must for us! Keller enjoys a wade in the waters near our cabin at Hunter Peak Ranch. The place attracts a mixed clientele -- from Europeans in love with the mountains and hiking, to American and Canadian tourists in search of change and dramatic scenery. During our stay, we met neighboring summer people from Santa Barbara and Ashland, Oregon, and visited with a family spending several days at the ranch, and a three-generation group from Nebraska.  All of us enjoyed the dazzling peaks and lush mountain valleys northwest Wyoming provides. THE BEAUTIFUL  Chief Joseph Scenic Highway gets you there, or you can do what we did, weather permitting:  go in via the spectacular Beartooth Pass out of Red Lodge, and you'll drop into the valley and Hunter Peak Ranch, just a few miles away. Then we went home to the Beartooths through Chief Joseph, stopping at the much photographed bridge to enjoy a picnic. To book, call 307 587-3711.  Or go to www.hunterpeakranch.com To our delight, there is no cell service in the area, but you may use a calling card on the ranch phone for emergencies. COMING UP:  Why we enjoy "road tripping." The joys of short and long car journeys together. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us Wednesdays and weekends at www.whereiscookie.com

Falling into disrepair, there is still beauty in the abandoned Castle buildings. A visit to Castle, Montana, opens doors to Montana's colorful past. 'CASTLE' MONTANA ONCE FIT FOR A KING NOW FADES INTO HISTORY STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER   Buildings were beautifully built, intended to be home for many years, in Castle, Montana. Castle is no ordinary ghost town.  It was built to last. MY BROTHER , Rick, likes to take the road less traveled. His last trek took us to the abandoned town of Castle in north-central Montana. Once, years ago, dozens of families lived in this quiet valley not far from White Sulphur Springs. Now, only ghosts inhabit the hills, dales and empty homes of Castle, Montana. Cookie pauses with Nora, on the trail to find Castle, in very rural Montana. My intrepid brother took us on a detour on our way back from Glacier Park and we tromped around the now deserted town, located on private farm land. A couple of trucks slowed down on the dirt and gravel road to eye us.  But they passed on by with a friendly wave, after seeing we were only taking photos.  We hoped we were not being arrested for trespassing! Signs lead travelers here, even though it is on private property. Here's a bit of history about this beautiful area: Ghost town CASTLE Montana became a map dot in 1884, when the North Carolina Mine opened, according to a U.S. Forest Service interpretive sign. Calamity Jane, it is said, lived briefly in Castle. Miners were drawn by the lure of silver ore and by 1891, Castle hosted 991 mining claims and was an incorporated town with several thousand inhabitants. Its most colorful inhabitant was Calamity Jane, who lived there briefly when she entertained the idea of opening a restaurant and becoming a lady! That endeavor didn't pan out. Today, ghost town lovers may drive down the road to the deserted town, being careful to respect that it is indeed now private land. IT'S TOUCHING to wander about, examining the vestiges of a time when families moved in, building multi-story homes with tall bay windows, adding decorative shingles and other embellishments.  Some of the homes sport crumbling but once spacious porches on the town's grassy hill, nestled along a cool stream, snuggling up against the timber line. This beautiful archway could have been a private garden, or sanctuary.  Businesses popped up along Main Street - now a Meagher County road - including Baker's General Store and Post Office, Kidd's Furniture Store, Minnie's Sporting House and Berg's Meat Market.  There's an interesting archway just inside the town.  One wonders if that were someone's special garden, or a place to meditate and sing Sunday hymns surrounded by gorgeous fir trees. I can picture an organ inside and glorious acoustics for chorale music! Will this building be here much longer? ABOUT A  dozen buildings remain in Castle, their ghostly appearances contrasted by    beautiful wildflowers. Wildlife scamper around the ruins, and we saw deer, elk and squirrels. I even spied a prairie dog suning lazily on a disintegrating rooftop. Although the buildings appear ready to fall if someone sneezes in their direction, the quality of the construction indicates people planned on staying here long-term. Alas, when the boom fizzled, this Castle -- once a golden coach -- became a pumpkin again! COMING UP:  Ah, Rome.  City of romance, handsome men and women, terrific food, cheap wine and history, history, history at every turn. If you have only a couple of days, consider hiring a private guide.   Rome's Colosseum is like no other place on Earth -- vast, artful, full of history. We've done it the last few trips and we recommend it.   Remember to explore, learn and live and check us out Wednesdays and weekends for a fresh look at travel, the arts and life. www.whereiscookie.com

Cody's historic main street is a showy mix of shops, restaurants and an old-fashioned theater with live shows. Old west charm, world class museum, bar hopping, great food, fun hotels and treats of the natural world await STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Cody is one of those under-the-radar Western towns that performs extremely well in SEO when positioned correctly with history + Yellowstone proximity + Americana storytelling. Here’s a clean, ready-to-use Wix blog structure package for WhereIsCookie.com 👇 Cody, Wyoming Travel Guide Key Attractions: Buffalo Bill Center of the West Old West towns nearby in Wyoming Gateway to Yellowstone If you’ve ever wanted to experience the American West as it once was, Cody delivers in full. Founded by the legendary Buffalo Bill Cody, this rugged yet welcoming town sits on the doorstep of Yellowstone National Park and offers a perfect blend of history, culture, and outdoor adventure. From nightly rodeos to one of the most impressive museum complexes in the country—the Buffalo Bill Center of the West—Cody is more than just a stopover; it’s a destination in its own right. Cody, Wyoming Travel Guide: Wild West History & the Buffalo Bill Center of the West CODY IS  the type of town that makes you believe in time travel with a Western USA road trip. It offers an authentic cowboy town experience” and you'll see rhinestone cowboys from elsewhere along with the real deal. Except for the cars, cell phones and contemporary clothing in store windows, you could be visiting this authentic western town a century ago. Cody's proximity to rivers, and changing autumn colors makes it appealing. The Irma Hotel is a landmark on main street with a famous bar. Stop in for a drink at the Irma Hotel, and admire the bar as you sip.  It's among Cody's treasures, an ornate and beautifully preserved antique. The Irma Hotel, above and left, is well known for its ambiance. It is popular with locals and tourists. The bar was a gift from England's Queen Victoria, a hefty acknowledgment of her appreciation for Buffalo Bill Cody, who brought his Wild West show across the Atlantic. Buffalo Bill's legacy remains in Cody, Wyoming, east gateway to Yellowstone National Park, as do the natural wonders and wildlife that make a visit to Cody, Wyoming so exciting. Cody's residential area above town sports lovely yards and native flora. THE BUFFALO BILL  Historical Center, whose name changed to the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, is a stunning complex of five museums and a research library featuring art and artifacts of the American West.  It's Cody's pride and joy and visitors come from around the world to enjoy an unparalleled collection of western art, guns, Plains Indian lifestyle and much more. The Buffalo Bill Historical Center has had a recent name change, and attracts fans of western lore and history from all over the world. THE FIVE  excellent museums are the namesake Buffalo Bill Museum, dedicated to his life and legendary touring western show; Whitney Gallery of Western Art, including world class artwork portraying both the beauty and myths of the West; Plains Indian Museum, with its insights into Native American culture; Cody Firearms Museum, with thousands of guns and weapons, and the Draper Museum of Natural History with hands on natural world exhibits to help us understand our environment and Yellowstone's own particular ecosystem. The Sunlight Basin and its wonderful views and vistas attracts many people who are visiting nearby Cody, Wyo. If you're in the vicinity of Cody, Powell or Meeteetse, you'll also enjoy abundant outdoor recreation opportunities -- hunting, fishing, golf, river rafting, rock and ice climbing, hiking, mountain biking and camping. WHAT MOST  of us native westerners like about Cody is its easy going charm. People still greet one another on the street.  Yet despite its casual and laid back feeling, upscale galleries sell world class art. Eateries and nightspots offer a wowing array  -- from simple fare to more elaborate meals. Walk down main street -- you'll find barbecue, fried chicken, salads, wraps, Asian and even vegetarian fare. Cody has changed since my first visits as a kid in the late 1950s! THE CODY  Trolley takes you around town to the most interesting spots, including the museum.  A tour guide dresses as sharpshooter Annie Oakley. We're heading to Sunlight Basin and the Chief Joseph Scenic Highway next. There's music and a regular cowboy revue, fishing pointers and guided tours of the rivers -- check out North Fork Anglers. Most of all, nature abounds, as welcoming and friendly as Cody herself! More information: codyyellowstone.org Chief Joseph Scenic Highway is near and worth a side trip, or drive it one way to or from Cody. COMING UP:  If  you've enjoyed Cody's pleasures, you'll appreciate the beauty of nearby Sunlight Basin and historic Chief Joseph Highway. These are a road tripper's dreams -- wild heights, sublime scenery and gorgeous places to picnic or unwind and gaze at clouds. Check us out weekly, when we strive to imbue travel with a sense of fun and adventure. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature and more at: www.whereiscookie.com

Tony Bennett sang to two packed houses Aug. 3 and 5, capping a two-night concert celebration of his 95th birthday, attended by Bill and Hillary Clinton and 12,000 loyal fans. His pal and collaborator, Lady Gaga introduced the legendary singer. Both are native New Yorkers.   Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga are promoting their second CD, "Love for Sale," out October 1. 'ONE LAST TIME' TONY-GAGA CONCERT BRINGS SELL-OUT CROWD, CHEERS, OVATIONS   Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett are both Cole Porter fans. Their new  is album "Love For Sale." STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" and courtesy Streamline Columbia Records THE CROWD WAS emotional.  The cast was, too. Two glitzy birthday concerts this week were an unadulterated love fest for Tony Bennett, born Anthony Dominick Benedetto 95 years ago on Aug. 3. Christene "Cookie" Meyers, Bruce Keller head for orchestra seats at the concert.  His "farewell concerts" with Lady Gaga were a pair of shows like no others. They were an emotional good-bye -- an affectionate "arrivederci," from the second-generation Italian New Yorker, son of a grocer and seamstress. And it was our chance to salute him. HE SANG US a tuneful Valentine, a gift to his legions of fans. The love came full circle with two dozen standing ovations, cheers, whistles and a spontaneous singing of "Happy Birthday" to the beloved performer, with Lady Gaga leading the serenade.  The packed houses were two sold-out evening at Radio City Music Hall. They were well organized, despite the crush of 6,000 eager people jostling to buy souvenir t-shirts and cocktails before taking expensive seats to begin a hit parade of American jazz classics. Hilton Club New York offers fabulous Midtown proximity to theaters, restaurants, museums. VACCINATION PROOF  was mandatory at the door even before tickets were scanned.  Cell phones were put into "yondr pockets," little sealed packages to prevent the use of technology during the show. (We have an arsenal of Gaga-Tony photos from four previous concerts; and happily, we were able to take photos before and after.) Radio City Music Hall was jammed with Tony Bennett fans and admirers of Lady Gaga THE EVENINGS   were a smash three-part hit -- with Gaga offering a generous one-hour set and entertaining commentary (including a shout-out to her friends Bill and Hillary Clinton).  Then she introduced "the great man, the amazing talent, my friend, my mentor -- the guy you've been waiting to see and hear:  Mr. Tony Bennett." Bennett's set was stellar, backed by his longtime jazz quartet. "Just in Time," "Stardust," "Steppin' Out With My Baby" and more. Then the duo sang five songs to end the show, hits from their "Cheek to Cheek" CD, which won a Grammy. Bennett offered a bravura encore, his signature "I Left My Heart in San Francisco." The crowd leapt to its feet for the 25th time. Lady Gaga introduces Tony Bennett, her good friend and collaborator on a new album, "Love for Sale. " THE STAR -studded evening featured royalty on both sides of the footlights with VIP guests including the Clintons and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. The performers also previewed their new Cole Porter album, out soon.  Gov. Cuomo declared Aug. 3 “Tony Bennett Day” in New York, tweeting "Few have contributed more to music and arts in New York than Tony.” BEHIND Bennett's jazz quintet, a full string orchestra graced the stage of the stately 1932 art-deco theater, brainchild of millionaire John D. Rockefeller and cornerstone of Rockefeller Center. Gaga charmed the crowd with her repartee, looking both elegant and slinky, changing costumes three times (including one made by her gifted designer sister), bowing gracefully and kissing Tony before and after his set after reeling out a dozen solo favorites of her own to warm up the happy crowd. BATTLING  Alzheimer's for the past five years, Bennett capped his illustrious 85-year career with favorites from his enduring repertoire. He and Gaga, also a New Yorker, have been bravely creating the new CD in their hometown for two years, despite his diagnosis.   Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga, both New Yorkers. Young Tony sang at the opening of the Triborough Bridge in 1936 when he was 10 years old, so the evening brought the Long Island born singer's career full circle to a hometown crowd. PREVIEW their new CD and get out the hankies :   ohttps:// youtu.be/iTdHQ065A_o Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga offer a pair of "One Last Time" concerts this week celebrating a new CD coming out soon. WE BOOKED our tickets the day they went on sale two weeks ago, and planned a New York trip around the concert,  knowing that this might be our last time to see Bennett. Lucky "east coasters" though, have other chances. Bennett has scheduled a handful of solo concerts on the east coast, into October. (No west coast gigs, sadly for us.) Check Ticketmaster for details. Booking your stay: go to hilton.com and plug in the property of choice. There are many Hilton brand options in New York. We have enjoyed Hilton Club New York, New York Hilton Midtown, Hilton Times Square, The Quin and many other Hilton brand properties. Carrie Krause introduces a program of baroque treats in Columbus, Montana, at Community Congregational Church . UP NEXT : From Lady Gaga and Tony Bennett and jazz, to period music and the unusual repertoire and musical instruments of the period from 1600 to 1750.  We feature the upcoming schedule of a gifted ensemble, Baroque Music Montana.  The group offers musical treats  on tap and on tour in Montana.  We took in a concert recently and share the talents of this fabulous, precise quartet of talents playing period music of long ago. Meanwhile, enjoy, learn and live and catch us each week for a fresh spin on the arts, travel, nature, family and more: www.whereiscookie.com

Cody's Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a world class complex of interesting and varied museums. Here a Buffalo Bill Cody sculpture greets guests.   STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" Irma Hotel diners enjoy a leisurely meal, as Queen Victoria's beautiful bar forms an historic backdrop, a gift to Buffalo Bill. MORE THAN 100  years after his death in 1917, Buffalo Bill Cody lives on in the lively western town of Cody, Wyoming. Buffalo Bill Cody rode throughout the world in his famous Wild West show. More on lively Cody  Named after the famed soldier, buffalo hunter and internationally known showman, the town of Cody pays homage to the flamboyant man in its world class museum, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, and in a hotel named after his beloved daughter Irma. WE SPENT  a pleasant night and day searching Cody, Wyoming, attractions enroute to Yellowstone National Park, only 50 gorgeous miles away to the East Entrance.  Cody is famous for its western ambiance, including a seasonal shootout at dusk by the Irma Hotel. Its historic bar, built in 1902, boasts stiff drinks while the restaurant serves up country cooking. The hotel's much photographed cherry wood bar was given to Buffalo Bill as thanks for his entrepreneurial tour of Europe and the United Kingdom.  Bestowing the gift was one of Bill's  ardent fans, England's Queen Victoria. Quaint rooms are also designed in the Victorian style. IT'S FUN TO stroll the streets for western wear, rib-sticking food, ethnic fare including Asian and Mexican offerings, and galleries featuring western paintings, pottery and crafts. Key Cody, Wyoming attractions A highlight of our Cody visit was an lively hour spent aboard a green trolley of Cody Trolley Tours. Two entertaining and knowledgeable guides walked us through the history of the town, with historical stories, photos, stops at various locations and audio clips. They highlight old and new attractions around town, with video clips, artwork and relics such as a buffalo horn.  Cody Trolley Tours offers an entertaining look at the town.   WE ENJOYED the stories of the guides, particularly the one claiming that Bill's body rests in a picturesque gravesite atop Lookout Mountain, high above the town of Golden, Colorado. While his will stipulated he be brought back to Cody, his widow, Louisa Cody, claimed that officials conspired to have Buffalo Bill buried in Denver.   Others believe those are not really Buffalo Bill's remains.  They think that Bill's Cody friends talked their way into the mortuary after his sudden 1917 death in Denver. Lore says the pals switched the body before it was buried, bringing the real Bill back to Wyoming.  The controversy still fuels arguments.   Try San Diego's trolley "Give us an hour and we'll give you 100 years," is Cody Trolley Tours' motto.  We take trolley tours all over the world, wherever offered.  This is one of the most fun we've experienced. Cody is a lively place, and even with Covid, masking and distancing, we managed to enjoy ourselves.  Cookie poses by a whimsical Larry Pirnie art piece at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. The shops, restaurants, an entertaining walking tour and planning for the Yellowstone and Grand Teton visit made the visit a pleasant one.  The Irma remains the city's grand dame, and you'll not want to miss an afternoon or morning at the Buffalo Bill Center for the West, with its impressive array of museums ranging from Plains Indian exhibits, to one of the world's finest displays of western art and a firearms collection considered the most impressive in the Americas. CODY'S ROUGH and tumble roots have spawned a town both sophisticated and "small.'' It retains the feel of a western village but offering citified amenities the seasoned traveler expects. For instance, there's a popular dinner show with western fare and cowboy music produced by Cody Cattle Company, a nightly seasonal rodeo, and the long-running shoot-out outside the Irma.  The acting is far from Broadway quality and the script is not Pulitzer material, but the half-hour show is a fun diversion. We sat with a couple of Swiss honeymooners and a family from Sacramento, all enjoying the spectacle.  If you book the Trolley Tour, take advantage of its front-row seat perk. For $3 more than the $25 tour price, the tour's amiable office worker Mitch places a sticker on a chair and you're sitting front-row for the action. You'll meet Butch Cassidy, Sundance, the town drunk, and a couple of lively chorus girls. A fake town backdrop is set up in the street and traffic is closed off for the bank robbery and jail break. THE OTHER  much enjoyed feature of the tour was a visit to the extraordinary Buffalo Bill Dam.  The trolley tour does a quick drive-by, so we stopped the next morning enroute to Yellowstone. With guns blazing, actors in Cody's seasonal nightly gunfight entertain a global audience . At its christening in 1910, it was heralded as an engineering marvel, one of the first concrete arch dams built in the United States. Standing an impressive 325 feet high, it was then the highest dam in the world -- even surpassing New York's famed Croton Dam. That's up next. We also enjoyed a tasty, authentic Mexican meal at Zapata's, with its welcoming outdoor patio, excellent margaritas and pleasant, accommodating service.  Please keep tuning us in and share the link. codytrolleytours.com ; codychamber.org centerofthewest.org bbdvc.com ; zapatascody.com   Spectacular view from the walkway above the Buffalo Bill Dam. UP NEXT : The Buffalo Bill Dam Visitor Center offers an eye-catching walkway across the dam, with a view down to the beautiful Shoshone River.  It's on the way from Cody, Wyoming, to Yellowstone National Park's east entrance. The dam was completed 110 years ago in 1910, an engineering marvel at the time and still impressive today.  We'll take you there next week. Meanwhile, remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at travel, the arts, family, nature and more: whereiscookie.com

If you're looking for authentic, old-fashioned fun, a vintage restored town and beautiful scenery, head for Virginia City, Mt. A little train trip awaits, just a few miles between Virginia City and Nevada City, by a narrow-gauge railroad. OLD WEST FLAVOR IS KICKED UP A NOTCH IN LIVELY, PICTURESQUE OLD-TIME TOWNS STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" MY AFFECTION  for Virginia City and Nevada City dates a half century back to my childhood. The old-fashioned fire truck run by Scott McClintic will give you history and a pleasant tour of Virginia City. Hiking in the nearby woods is another benefit to this road trip. As I grew up in the 1950s and 1960s, our family made an annual pilgrimage to this old-time treasure in southwest Montana.  It's historical beginnings go back to the gold rush days of the mid 1800s. Much of the place has retained the flavor of that rich, sometimes rowdy time when Montana was discovered by seekers of fortune and the accompanying riff-raff. The Virginia City Players entertain full houses. Thanks to philanthropists Charles and Sue Bovey, today's Virginia City recaptures the times. Bovey began restoring the town with vintage buildings and goods shortly after World War II.  He was fascinated by the period, when sluices lined the gulch and "cities" blossomed as trading and amusement centers. Miners flooded in, and others followed, in the tradition of supply and demand: ladies of the evening, criminals, cooks, vigilantes, shop keepers, bar tenders, cleaners, and grocers who could command as much as $2 for a single egg. Virginia City was the best known of towns that sprung up along the gulch.  It is sole survivor. NO WONDER  so many Montanans revere Virginia City Montana and like to show it off. It's wonderfully "frozen in time," fun to share with visitors who might enjoy strolling a colorfully restored pioneer mining camp. The Brewery Follies under the gifted direction of Mike Verdon are a must, with a fast-paced, racy show sure to entertain. A fine cast, talented musical director and the brewery environment guarantee a good time. We traveled back in time -- pre-cell phones, pre-computers, pre-television and telephone to celebrate the Boveys, of the General Mills fortune. They bought up old buildings and repaired failing existing structures to preserve the spirit of the 1865 capital of the Montana Territory. Virginia City had declined to ghost town status when Bovey and his wife began to pursue their passion. By the early 1950s, people were visiting Virginia City, with its iconic Bale of Hay Saloon, the Virginia City Players in the Opera House, and the venerable Fairweather Inn. Lodging in Nevada City is rustic, but comfortable. During our Virginia City Montana road trip we always take in Bill Koch's Virginia City Players, a must for theater lovers and a time honored part of the lore and lure of Virginia City. The Players' show in the old Opera House includes a spirited vaudeville act cameos in the style of the Victorian music hall. Their ambitious three-part season continues to September, with good old-fashioned family fun. For adults, the Brewery Follies offers cutting-edge comedy, lively music and a tour de force of comedy and satire featuring well acted sketches and songs by a diverse cast with "guest appearances" courtesy the talented Mike Verdon, delightful and right-on as both Donald Trump and Elvis. Carefully restored Victorians are part of the allure of Virginia City. Most are B&Bs. The Follies offers a sophisticated, smartly written comedy cabaret in the 1863 brewery. There, H.S. Gilbert made his mark and money after immigrating from Germany to quench the boom town's thirst. NOW ON  the historic register, the towns are owned by the state of Montana.  Showing off an entire town as a National Historic Landmark is unique, so give your guests a treat. We were thrilled to discover the Wells Fargo Steakhouse serves a tasty steak and wonderful appetizers, a nice Caesar salad and several fish and Italian offerings. There's also a pizza parlor, candy store, ice cream place, a couple other bars and cafes. Pop in Rank's Mercantile, which has the feeling of an old-fashioned, artfully arranged sundries shop, with unique souvenirs, clothing, toys, books, gifts and specialty groceries. Rome, Greece, Bozeman? A wonderful show is up at Museum of the Rockies. "The Villas of Oplontis" brings us to Bozeman and the Museum, with  a look at a thriving villa destroyed by the Mount Vesuvius eruption. An imaginative show of artifacts and antiquities awaits through December 31.  One strolls the main street and peeks into the past: an old barbershop, a clothing store, a blacksmith's shop, drug store, mostly built before 1900. Heritage markers give insights and information about the period displays, and you can dress up in period costumes to create a special holiday card, or souvenir. THERE'S ALSO  a Boothill, a cemetery where criminals and lawmen take their final rest. UP NEXT : "The Villas of Oplontis" is a wonderful exhibit at Museum of the Rockies, which we visit next.  The wonderful Museum has a stunning planetarium and living history farm, internationally recognized fossil and dinosaur exhibit, plus much more.  The terrific new show about the life of a village near Pompeii is fascinating. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh spin on travel, performance, nature, family and more.

Tepees make a colorful photo at the entrance to the Visitor Center and  memorials at the Little Bighorn Battlefield.  Both Custer and Sitting Bull are honored in a memorial at Garryowen. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYERS PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" It doesn’t seem possible that it was seventy years ago this June 25, 1946, that I last saw General Custer.     No, that isn’t quite exact; that was the last time I saw him alive, for two days later I looked down on his body, lying white in the Montana sun. That was June 27, 1876. And the following day, I helped bury him and his brother, Captain Tom Custer. … It was hard digging on that high ridge that bordered the Little Big Horn.....-- Charles Windolph, last Army survivor of Custer Battle. 'LAST SURVIVOR' OF CUSTER'S ARMY LIVED NEARLY A CENTURY, RECORDED FINDING THE BODY OF CUSTER   WELL OF COURSE there were survivors at the Battle of the Little Bighorn. Thousands of Indian warriors lived to tell the tale. But as a kid growing up in Montana, I was told there were no survivors.  No Army survivors among the soldiers Custer kept by his side when he divided up the companies. That's what we should have been told. Charles Windolph lived to age 98 and recorded his memories of the infamous battle's aftermath. AMONG THE OTHER men who fought with Custer's colleagues, Benteen and Reno, a man named Charles Windolph lived to nearly a century and told what he saw of the Seventh Cavalry's demise. Windolph died at age 98, on March 11, 1950, the last survivor of the Battle of the Little Bighorn. He passed away at Lead, South Dakota, leaving a vivid first-person account of the military disaster that wiped out George Armstrong Custer and 265 of his troopers. Indian men participate in a drum ceremony honoring their lost ancestors, during the 139th Battle of the Little Bighorn Anniversary activities recently. Little Bighorn Battlefield Lore WINDOLPH HELPED bury the bodies of his fallen comrades on a blazing hot June day, up on the hill where Custer’s luck ran out. He described the scene in a book, "I Fought With Custer," published 71 years later: Charles Windolph lived to age 98 and recorded his memories of the infamous battle's aftermath. "Custer was lying a trifle to the southeast of the top of the knoll – where the monument  is today. I stood six feet away holding Captain Benteen’s horse while he identified the General. His body had not been touched, save for a single bullet hole in the left temple near the ear, and a hole on his left breast. … His brother Tom lay  a few feet away." A native American memorial was begun in the 1990s and stands as proud testimony to the warriors lost during the battle to remain on  their land. REPORTERS SAID the elderly cavalryman's mind so many years later was “as clear as a bell and his memory was prodigious.” Published by a father and son writing team in 1947, the Frazier and Hunt book tells the dramatic story of Windolph’s experiences with the Seventh Cavalry and Custer. Little Bighorn Battlefield We noted the 139th anniversary of the Battle of the Little Bighorn this year, paying our respects to both fallen soldiers and native American for their bravery, even though foolish decisions by Custer led to the death of many. A Park Ranger at the monument shows where Custer and his men fell.  YES, THERE WERE s urvivors of the two-day siege on the Little Bighorn, but they were not among the five companies who stayed with Custer.  Those 265 men were all lost. But Reno's and Benteen's companies had survivors and after a slow two-day march, the wounded soldiers from the Battle of the Little Bighorn reached the steamboat Far West. THE VESSEL  had been leased by the U.S. Army for the 1876 campaign against the "hostile" Sioux and Cheyenne Indians. Naturally, they were reluctant WINDOLPH OWED his survival to that steamboat and its captain. For he and other more gravely wounded soldiers would probably not have survived a horseback ride to North Dakota and medical assistance. to be herded to reservations. UP NEXT : On June 28, Captain Grant Marsh of the steamboat Far West and several other men were fishing a mile from the boat when a young Indian on horseback approached. “He wore a dejected countenance,” one man wrote. By signing and drawing on the ground, the Indian explained that many were dead but there were survivors. They would make their way in two days to the boat which took them to medical help. Remember to explore, learn and live and catch us weekly for a fresh look at travel, nature, the arts, family and more.

WHERE SHOULD WE GO FOR A QUICK WEEKEND, OR WEEK LONG GET-AWAY? CONSIDER THIS LIVELY, ARTSY MONTANA TOWN Red Lodge, Montana, offers spectacular scenery and one of the world's most stunning drives. STORY By CHRISTENE MEYER PHOTOS By BRUCE KELLER "The Carpe Diem Kids" WHEN YOU want a couple days off, to laze and be reflective, Red Lodge, Montana, delivers. When you want a couple days off to party, frolic, be active and social, or take a wildlife-viewing hike, Red Lodge fills that bill, too. This lovely little mountain town can be sophisticated or laid back. You can dine elegantly with a nod to organic farming in a century-old brick hotel, or enjoy splendid pizza in a historic restaurant. You can shoot pool, play video poker, sing karaoke, dance and stay out late. You can find bargain rack shopping with 50 per cent discounts for name brand tops and jeans. ` Buy homemade sausage and delicious pastries at two shops next door to one another.  Both the meat market and bakery have legions of friends, both locals and tourists. Red Lodge, a mountain town, is nestled in a picturesque valley, and is a gateway to Yellowstone. I GREW  up in a small town not far from Red Lodge, and we drove from Columbus to Red Lodge often for sports events -- our teams were in the same conference -- to Girl Scout and Lions camps up the road, and to favorite family dining venues, Old Piney Dell always a family favorite through the generations. We loved the old Victorians which stand sentinel and show community pride. Red Lodge is famous for its beautifully restored Victorian homes. The fact that it is still there and thriving makes this reporter happy. Winters, took we took to the ski slopes, so it was a nostalgic afternoon when we drove recently up the six-mile road to the run of my youth.  While I mostly sat in the warming hut reading, siblings raced down the slopes and reveled in the excitement. RED LODGE  can deliver what you need -- excitement or calm. I needed the latter. If you're overwhelmed with activity and challenge, too many activities, projects and people, Red Lodge offers an opportunity to regroup and calm yourself.  The "Red Lodge Anxiety Main Street, Red Lodge, offers colorful marquees and neon. Cure" works for me every time. Wildlife is out the door, very near, if you base in Red Lodge. Main Street, Red Lodge, offers colorful marquees and neon. WE RECENTLY ventured to lovely Rock Creek Resort for its picturesque restaurant's fine dining at Old Piney Dell. We also visited Red Lodge Pizza Co., in a beautiful brick building.  During my childhood, Piney Dell was a favorite as was Natali's (now the Red Lodge Pizza building). I walked down memory lane gazing at vintage Natali's photos in the back room! Food is still great there, and at Bridge Creek Backcountry Kitchen and Wine Bar, Bogart's, Cafe Regis and Foster and Logan's Pub. The Pollard Hotel's elegant lodging, top restaurant and pub continue to be favorites.  Not far from downtown, you can see wildlife, including both mule deer and white tails -- for photographic adventurers. Yorkies Nick and Nora like Red Lodge for its many dog friendly accommodations. For a fun time with kids, check out the Montana Candy Emporium, and Yellowstone Wildlife Sanctuary is a unique refuge for native animals found injured and rehabilitated in the center. RED LODGE  is a hot town in the winter when skiing begins, but it's a fine weekend get-away any time of year. Red Lodge Mountain is a quiet, no hype ski destination, growing in popularity with a national clientele. People love it for its skiing -- "pure and simple," the p.r. folks say. "No lift lines, no attitude, no big prices. Just great snow and great people." My favorite time is summer! But whichever your season, Red Lodge offers an authentic experience in Montana’s Rocky Mountains, summer or winter.  It's part of my history, and I love to share it.  Call   406 446-1718, the Red Lodge Chamber for more information. Or go to www.redlodge.com  or  www.redlodgemountain.com COMING NEXT:  Exciting news. Our long awaited novel, "Lilian's Last Dance," publishes next Wednesday on Amazon e-books. It's writers are Cookie, aka Christene Meyers, and William Jones. We'd appreciate brisk sales the first couple weeks, anticipating a paperback version: Here's a synopsis to get your literary juices flowing: War threatens to rearrange the world’s boundaries as an unlikely trio discovers love crossing all lines. A dashing bi-sexual American bank robber, beautiful French female sharpshooter and pioneering British film maker star in a tale of passion, vengeance and honor. “Lilian’s Last Dance,” begins in 1907, unfolding during a 10-year span, against a radical art movement, developing film industry and the Great War. Settings include New York, France, rural Montana, Peru and Hollywood. Real-life cameos include Mary Pickford, Douglas Fairbanks, D.W. Griffith, Conrad Hilton, Ty Cobb, Pablo Picasso, Charlie Chaplin, “Buffalo Bill” Cody, Gertrude Stein and more. Next week's blog will herald the official release. Remember to explore, learn and live and stay tuned for the book and a series of lively stories about the travels, passions and sidetracks in the making of the novel since its 1997 inception. At: www.whereiscookie.com   Please tell your friends!