The Bighorn & Medicine Wheel Scenic Highways

Cindi saw this

Then she saw this

So we now have this

Before we headed out today we stopped at Walgreen's for a purchase...a bit expensive, but IF we encounter a grizzly we'll feel a little better.  Specifically Cindi will feel better...now if we can remain calm enough to pull the pin, wait until the bear has gotten within 30 feet, then hit it in the face with spray.   Yeah, that's what the instructions actually tell you to do all while remaining CALM.

Shell Falls

Today we headed out of Cody east to Dayton, WY...specifically the Big Horn Mountains.  Another scenic highway with not quite the same beauty of Bearfoot or Chief Joseph.  The road followed the Shell River through a canyon.  Along the way we stopped at an overlook for Shell Falls...Cooper wasn't allowed on the trails, but he didn't seem to mind.  Most of the time the terrain was much drier and arid with views of prairie rather than mountains.  The elevation wasn't quite as high, but we still managed to hit over 9000 feet.   Actually had free range sheep along the way...Cooper almost slept through the whole flock.

Free roaming sheep...where's the coyote

Elk

We headed back to Cody on yet another scenic byway called Medicine Wheel.  A very pretty road which was much greener.  We kept saying "where's the elk"...must be magic because if you keep saying it an elk will run across the field.  Only saw the one despite our efforts to find more.  All that green pasture and we saw very few critters...pika and a few marmots were about it.  Cooper sniffed the air a good bit, but he never actually saw the pica or the marmot.  During our lunchtime picnic Cooper did a little stalking and some digging. 

Marmot

Pica

We have no idea what was in the holes, but he enjoyed the heck out of it.  He loves all the new smells especially the sage.  Coop has jumped up to stick his head out the window every time we drive through a patch.

The road down to Lovell was interesting...10 % grades (really steep) with lots and lots of signs reminding you that it was steep. Not to mention the huge truck ramps.  We wondered how on earth the truck was supposed to make it around the curves to get to them.  Thankfully we made it down safely...brakes still work too.

Really steep

                                                

Medicine Wheel

One interesting historic site was an area that is called Medicine Wheel.  Ancient Native American's built the wheel between 300 to 800 years ago.  It sits in a wide open area of the Big Horn at over 9000 feet right at the mountain top.  Many offerings were attached to the ropes surrounding the area...   varies feathers from hawks and eagles, strips of cloth, God's Eyes, abalone shells, even a raptor's claw foot and what appeared to be twine wrapped sage. 

Raptor claw foot

Cooper watching Bill walk the wheel

Cooper was allowed to go on the hike out to the wheel...a 3 mile round trip, however, he was not allowed to walk around the wheel.  He didn't seem to mind...he watched as each of us took a turn around the wheel.

Cheers to Moose Drool!

We actually got back to Cody in time for a happy hour outside the hotel.   Actually had our first Moose Drool of the trip while we waited on our pizza.  A nice evening despite the threat of rain.  Cooper made friends with multiple biker dudes while we swapped stories about the scenic highways.