TWB June 15th 2019 Experience: Day 17- Cody, Wyoming

Day 17: Cody, Wyoming

Hey guys! The happy crew is in the house today. We include Madison Styer, Joe Flanagan, Brina Childers, Andrew Cahn, Amelia May Tuttle, Emma Hooks, Sierra Lawing, Jade West, Chris Kurtiak, Rebecca Faust, Danielle Hahn, Charley Inabinet, and Phoebe Gilmore.

This morning was a crazy rapid ride through the Cody, Wyoming river tours. It all started at 6:45 AM, when Grant, Will, and Josh walked around the freezing cold campsite to wake us up. From there, we all changed into bathing suits because the night before included a very late arrival into the Ponderosa Campground. After changing, we all climbed onto the Wyoming River Tours bus and headed off to a wild adventure. When we arrived at the main office of the tour group, we were given life jackets and rain jackets for the ones who didn’t have them. After a very tight life jacket checking, we drug ourselves back onto the bus with anticipation of the cold water that was yet to come. Upon arriving to the very smelly white water rapids, we were split off into groups of nine to twelve. We were split into nine groups total based on people who were able to row the boat through the very treacherous rapids. Then, with great excitement and lots of chattering teeth, we boarded the rowboats that were floating on the freezing cold water and turned to our guides to listen to the rules about what to do when you “accidentally” fall in. After a few splash wars and cold screams, the skies quickly darkened and we started to hear “forward!” often as we tried to outrun the storm. Most of us made it to land in order to board a bus while the storm passed, but some had to make due with a raft fort held up by paddles. While waiting the storm out under a raft, many songs were sung such as “Party in the USA,” “Lean on me,” and “Today” to make the best out of the current situation. Games such as rock, paper, scissors, and ninja were played, which ended up being the best part of the whole experience. After the storm passed, many people in the buses had to use the bathroom. When we arrived at the closest bathroom, it turned out to be flooded so the woods quickly became our best option. When we finally were able to resume our rapid rides, many splash fights arose and lots of trapping groups in the middle of “splash wars.” We all survived the very cold waters and enjoyed the rest of our adventure, especially after sun came out. When we finally arrived back to the campground, a warm breakfast consisting of eggs, grits, and sausage warmed our tummies. After the “best breakfast we’ve had on this trip” was prepared by our awesome counselors, we started our last loads of laundry, took naps under the trees, called our loved ones, ate amazing “walking tacos,” and started to get dressed up in our rodeo outfits in anticipation of the rodeo and our soon to be eaten bison burgers in downtown Cody.

Upon arriving in downtown Cody, many of us flocked the local gift shops in hopes to find the perfect cowboy and cowgirl hat for the upcoming rodeo. After a bit of shopping, many groups split off to either enjoy their first bison burger or experience homemade ice cream at an ice cream shop about two doors down from the gift shop. After our departure from this amazing area, we loaded the buses and headed straight toward the world famous Cody Rodeo.

The rodeo was PACKED! Between the petting zoo and the bull riding, lots of memories were made. Also, many mouths watered as pulled pork nachos and “Sucker Punch” lemonade passed by at every moment. The events only became more interesting and exhilarating as it changed from horse riding to bull riding and we all became more excited. Some of the best parts included the hilarious roasts between the host and the “Rodeo Clown,” the stunts performed by the clown, and especially the end of the rodeo when all of the TWBers sang “God Bless the USA” in unison. After a lot of pictures taken, we all loaded the bus and vans and headed back to the campsite.

Surprisingly, all of our belongings were dry when we pulled up to Ponderosa campground. Even better, the counselors allowed us to head down to Dairy Queen to get a sweet treat before bed. Knowing of the DQ Blizzard challenge, a couple participants decided to put the challenge to the test (which failed). In return of the fallen blizzards, the DQ employees gave the teens each a new Blizzard. With all of the sugar in our system, we went to bed and prepared for a big day at Mount Rushmore in the morning.