Like many of my townsfolk here in Cody, I took Friday off. At least in spirit, I did.
No, it’s not an early Cinco de Mayo, and I am not like my accountant who celebrates the end of tax season by turning out the lights, locking the doors and sneaking off for her version of Spring Break (or as I call it, “CPAs Gone Wild”).
It takes weeks for plows to clear snow and ice from the Cody/Yellowstone East Entrance Road.
I read the other day that the director of our chamber of commerce thinks May 1 should be a town holiday because the East Gate of Yellowstone National Park opened that day. Even though said gate is 52 spectacular miles up the Buffalo Bill Scenic Byway, we see a marked change in the traffic patterns as out-of-town visitors return for the season.
Let’s face it. We in Cody love our tourists, in fact many refer to them as “guests”. Several of our businesses are built upon visitors who have discovered over the years just how much there is to do on a Wyoming Vacation. The mixture of new, returning and multi-generational visitors has created an atmosphere that makes a visit to Cody a high point for families, empty nesters and young couples from all points on the map.
Early Spring’s provide better opportunity to see bears coming out of hibernation.
I love the idea of special “Cody holidays” and am thinking we could add in the anniversary of Yellowstone’s creation, the day the Cody Gunfighters purchase their outfits for the year and the birthdays of Buffalo Bill Cody, Marty Robbins and Dan Miller.
My guess, however, is even though chamber director Scott had a great idea about the holiday, people around here are eager to begin our summer season, whether opening day is a holiday or not. Case in point, the chamber staff and board of directors hosted a free pancake breakfast for locals and visitors on May 1 to celebrate the opening of the east gate. . . naturally, a well-received new tradition in Cody.
Locals and tourists enjoy the 2nd annual Park ‘n Pancakes Breakfast.
We have rested up and are ready for another great vacation season in Cody.
Let the season begin.
Until next week, I am lovin’ life – and thinking about my accountant – in Cody, Wyo.
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