Buffalo Bill...and Lookout Mountain

We took a trip today to the Buffalo Bill museum and grave on Lookout mountain (which is right behind where we are living). The drive up the mountain was a little tense for me---too many switchbacks, too many bicyclists (meaning we had to cross the double yellow line to pass them, putting us potentially into path of downward driving vehicles), and too many drop-offs right next to the road. I will admit that the awesome views of valleys & mountains from one side, and views of Denver valley and eastern Colorado plains were worth the drive (I think!). I also think the hang-gliders we enjoy watching most evenings are entirely CRAZY---after seeing the steep ridges they launch off of.

In the museum, Jakob was a little shook up to find out that Buffalo Bill left home in Kansas at 13 years old to try gold mining in CO, was a pony express rider at 14, and was in the Civil War at 16. Seeing the revolver and bowie knife (and little Bible---mandatory for all pony express riders to carry!) BB used as a rider was pretty intense for Jakob! On the lighter side, both kids enjoyed dressing up as cowboys (do you KNOW how heavy chaps are??), "riding" the horse and trying to rope the calf in the kids area. Between each try, you could almost see the gears spinning in Jakob's brain as he readjusted his technique. He indeed eventually roped the calf successfully. Anna, on the other hand, managed to rope her foot (in the stirrup!), herself, her horse's head, and everything BUT the calf!! Ahh, well...she had fun LOOKING the part of cowgirl!

Oh, and were you aware of how much of a "visionary" Buffalo Bill was?? I certainly wasn't! He was one of the first to start a domestic herd of Buffalo--both to preserve them for posterity and for use in his Wild West Show. He was fully supportive of equal rights for both Women and for Indians, even fighting for the latter when challenged a number of times that the indians belonged on reservations, not getting good pay in his show. He also tried his hand at city planning---with the town of Cody, WY which he envisioned as a tourist destination, as an up-to-date place to live, and as a gate-way to Yellowstone--none of which occured in his lifetime, but did eventually happen.

On the way back down from Lookout Mountain, we checked mileage and altitude change...and I've decided my original goal of walking up the mountain behind our RV by the time we leave this area in a month or two is entirely TOO outrageous! It sure doesn't look all that high when seen from below...but the road wanders 5 miles from side to side and around two mountains while ascending 1600' or so. I think I need to find a more attainable goal of a HILL for us to climb instead!