Native American Traces Training
It was the day after the storm had passed. Three, or maybe four days of harsh spring winds had subsided and the day promised to be glorious - and it was. Starting in January, we schedule tour guide training days for Grubsteak Expeditions in advance, not knowing whether or not the weather will cooperate. This is pretty much like any tour. Some days lend themselves to exploring outside, and others we stay in the vehicle and buildings. Either way, we find ways to thoroughly enjoy the day and this amazing corner of Northwest Wyoming.
Our guides usually have a particular area of expertise since many of them have come from a background of Range Management, Biology and Ecology. Today we had the pleasure of learning from the original owner of Grubsteak Tours, Bob Richard. His family has been in this area since before Cody was a town. His knowledge of the area history is phenomenal and all of us deeply appreciated the opportunity to learn more from him.
Our training started just outside of town with an area containing Native American tepee rings, it made for a great educational stop and photo opportunity.
Then we were off to see the petroglyphs out at Legend Rock. With a stop at the museum in Meeteetse to learn a bit more about photographer Charles Belden and artist Olive Fell, we were off again to the open prairie of this wild western land.
While there are petroglyphs throughout this area full of sandstone bluffs coated in desert varnish, Legend Rock has some interpretive signage and is a managed area with picnic tables and restrooms. We walked the interpretive trail, marveling at the fact this area has been visited for millennia by humans and then came back to enjoy the area as well as we ate our lunches. Each of us were ready for the generous sandwiches, chips, fruit and an amazing brownie - the normal lunch we have on our trips.
We had planned to head to Thermopolis to go through the Dinosaur Museum, but just as we are with our expeditions , we can change our minds midstream if we want. We ended up heading to a couple of areas where one o our guides shared his vast knowledge of the oil industry in this area. We even got to see a clearly defined anticline and dome that’s still in active use in the oil industry.
Afterwards, we wound our way back to Cody, learning more tidbits of information along the way. All of us agreed that we’re ready to see the summer season start. Want to join us? We would love to share this area we call home with you! Call us today to learn more.