I like dates…the ones on the calendar as well as the ones with cowboys. And today my mind is on both kinds.
The calendar dates I’ve been thinking about lately are cause for celebration and reflection.
Ice climbers from all over the world come for the Cody Ice Climbing Festival held President’s Day weekend.
February 12, 13 and 14 is, as everyone knows, Valentine’s Day Weekend. And I have a very special date with a very special cowboy, although what he has planned for me may make some city-slickers cringe. On Friday we’re pulling out our crampons and heading to the 18th Annual Cody Ice Climbing Festival. With more than 300 frozen waterfalls in our South Fork Valley, there is some world-class vertical ice climbing. I’ve gotten pretty good at this over the years, and we’re both looking forward to some multi-pitch climbs and getting together with our frosty friends.
Then if we still have the energy, my beau and I will head to the 7th Annual Ice Fishing Derby at the Sunshine Reservoir in Meeteetse. Ice fishing is huge in these parts, and we all want bragging rights for our catches during the derby. I didn’t do so well last year, but I have a new strategy, a great three-person team and some new base layers this year.
Contestant teams compete for prizes and bragging rights at Meeteetse’s annual Ice Fishing Derby.
February is a big month around here. February 26 is Buffalo Bill Cody’s birthday, and this year he would have been 170 years old. Given that Buffalo Bill was larger than life when he was still alive, it is fitting that the town he founded celebrates his birthday with a massive party. This year’s Buffalo Bill Birthday Ball will be held on Saturday, February 27. This annual celebration is staged by the Cody Knights of Columbus, and it is always a good time, with music, dancing and great Western entertainment. I always dust off my very best cowgirl boots and don my fringiest leather jacket for this special night. I’m bringing my cowboy, I’ll let you know how it goes.
Buffalo Bill’s birthday is February 26, this year he would have been 170 years old.
Here’s one more date I’ve been thinking about lately, and it has nothing to do with February or my very special cowboy. On January 10, 2017 it will be the 100th anniversary of Buffalo Bill Cody’s death. I’ve been thinking about it because it’s hard for me to believe that a century has gone by since the founder of our town and the most interesting – and at one time most famous – man in the world passed. I didn’t know him, but my great granddad did, and the stories he told me when I was a child on his knee have stayed with me all of these years. I think that I would have liked him very much, I know that I love the town he created!
Until next time, I’m loving life and my February dates here in Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country.
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