River Walk

The Shoshone River runs along the back side of the city of Cody and there are two pathways that follow the river that are used frequently by locals.

One pathway "feels" more civilized and is used most frequently.

It is located close to large subdivisions, is closer to downtown, and many people frequent the gravel path for exercise, close proximity to nature, and to enjoy the sounds of running water and quacking ducks.

The second pathway "feels" more UNcivilized and yet the trail head is only a mile or so from the first.

It is also located among busy subdivisions.

In fact, to get to the trail head you drive through close-together homes with little pink bicycles dumped unceremoniously in the front yard next to the single tree, by cute little girls.

Just beyond the last house on the road is a fence, with a picture of a black bear and a friendly reminder to be bear aware, and finally there is the trail head.

One moment you are driving by newer homes and the next you are walking a gravel trail and heading into quiet wilderness..............

The top side of Carter Mountain.

A rugged and shockingly huge mountain range located more than 20 miles down the South Fork..............

As we lived in the desert LC and I always aspired to be close to "mountains and the water.

We talked about it often, and it was always about mountains and water.

Now we have both.

Cedar Mountain on the left in the distance (only a few miles away) and Rattlesnake Mountain on the right, with the meandering Shoshone River cutting through the center of the landscape.

The trail begins high above the river, but a quarter of a mile down trail it steeply drops down, and then gradually curves to the right and drops down a second time.

Somewhere just before dropping down to the river the first time is usually where LC and I let Kory off leash to let her run.

At that point she is far enough away from civilization that we don't have to worry about her doubling back and heading for homes or roads.

The remainder of the two mile (or so) trail follows the river............

Puppy trotting down to the river.

Even though we had an easy winter this year, the river is still faster than normal and Kory is not a strong swimmer.

As soon as she reached the Shoshone Kory waded in.

And did just fine..................

In just a few months there will be inflatable rafts filled with tourists on this river.

This early into spring, the water is just fast, cold and empty..............

Proud and happy puppy scratching at the ground after marking her territory.................

Kory shaking off after one more quick trip into the river.

We walked this trail (and I snapped these pictures) just a few days ago.

It was sunny, and temperature gauges that were standing outside banks on the way to the trail head told us that it was 47 degrees (although the wind was blowing and it felt much colder).

I saw something in Kory during this trip that I had never seen before.

She had run ahead of us (as she always does) and LC and I sat on a bench for a few minutes, talking and watching the fast moving river.

After a couple of minutes we stood up, ready to continue further on the trail.

Our dog was running back towards us (as she always does) - but she had lost sight of us.

As I stood up I saw her running in our direction and her face was..........very worried.

She had lost sight of her people and it had scared her.

We've been to this trail a few times but it is still a new place for her.

It was the first time I had ever seen a worried look on Korys' face, and we spent the rest of the trip reassuring our dog that everything was OK...............

Looking back the way we had come.

McCullough Peaks in the background.

The world is beige right now.

But the earliest signs of dusty green are cautiously beginning to make their appearance....................

Yeah Baby Girl.........Momma's still here.................

Climbing back up the hill and heading back towards the trail head after a great walk...................

We walked the trails for an hour and a half - taking the main trail, wandering off on side trails, picking up the main trail again, heading down to the water.

There are chances for snow a few days this week.

But on THIS day it was spring.

And we have spring fever................

Spring has returned. The Earth is like a child that knows poems...............Rainer Maria Rilke