Cody's Irma Hotel

Above, a gunfight show taking place outside of the Irma Hotel. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last summer, friend Mitch Geriminsky and I visited Cody, Wyoming to attend the Winchester Arms Collectors Gun Show and visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

While roaming around Cody, we went to the Irma Hotel for dinner and browsing around. The food was good, by the way!

The hotel was built by Buffalo Bill in 1902.

Above, trophies on walls near the restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

From the hotel's website:

Built by Buffalo Bill in 1902, this historic hotel in central Cody is an 8-minute walk from the Buffalo Bill Center of the West and 9.8 miles from Buffalo Bill State Park.

Spartan rooms have TVs and coffeemakers; some offer Western-style furnishings and elevated ceilings. Buffalo Bill's private suites is also available.

Free parking is provided. Additional amenities include a restaurant, an Old West-style saloon, a gift shop and a porch.

Above, Mitch and I about to have dinner at the Irma Hotel's restaurant.

From Wikipedia:

The Irma Hotel is a landmark in Cody, Wyoming. It was built by William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, the city's co-founder and namesake who named it after his daughter Irma Cody. A focal point is a famous back bar made of cherry that was a gift given by Queen Victoria to Buffalo Bill.

The Irma opened with a party on November 18, 1902, to which Cody invited the press and dignitaries from as far away as Boston. The hotel quickly became the social center of Cody. In the meantime, Buffalo Bill was under pressure from creditors and was forced to sign over the hotel to his wife Louisa in 1913, who was at that time on bad terms with him. After Cody's death in 1917 the hotel was foreclosed upon and sold to Barney Link. Before the end of the year Link's estate sold the property back to Louisa, who kept it until she died in 1925. The new owners, Henry and Pearl Newell, gradually expanded the hotel, building an annex around 1930 on the west side to accommodate automobile-borne visitors. After her husband's death in 1940, Pearl Newell operated the hotel until her own death in 1965. She left the hotel's extensive collection of Buffalo Bill memorabilia to the Buffalo Bill Historical Center, and stipulated that proceeds from the estate be used as an endowment for the museum.

A visit to the Irma Hotel is well worth it. During the summer, gunfight shows take place outside of the hotel.

To access the hotel's website, go here. 

What Not To Do In Yellowstone

Over the years, I have been to Yellowstone National Park several times. The first being in 1990 and the last being in 2019.

Above, Yellowstone bison grazing in a meadow next to a river. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While Yellowstone is a national park that should be put on everyone's "bucket list" of things to do, there are a few things there that visitors should avoid doing.

Travel + Leisure has posted an article on six mistakes to avoid in Yellowstone.

They begin it with:

My California cousins may have taken their first steps at Disneyland, but growing up in Montana, my family’s go-to “theme park” was Yellowstone National Park—where the theme wasn’t Mickey Mouse but rather Mother Nature.

More than 30 years later, my home base is still just an hour from the Beartooth Pass, which leads to Yellowstone’s northeast entrance. As both a local and regular parkgoer, a part of me dies inside every time I read about a Yellowstone “touron”—a term now in our vernacular thanks to the popular Instagram account—doing something dumb. Touron offenses run the gamut from getting too close to wildlife to damaging fragile geological sites, and these incidents often put visitors in danger. People have been gored, stranded in their vehicles during winter, and even "dissolved" in hot springs.

Don’t get me wrong: I don’t want people to stop visiting Yellowstone, and I certainly don’t want to be giving hall monitor energy. I just want us to respect the environment and ourselves while enjoying the world’s first national park. For that reason, here are a few common mistakes to avoid during your visit, whether it’s your first or 15th time driving through the Roosevelt Arch. It’s not an exhaustive list, but it’s a good start. And remember, in the wise words of Jellystone’s lovable Yogi, be “smarter than the average bear.”

 To read more, go here.

Wonderful Museums: Gun Museum Cody

Above, one of the displays at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Cody Firearms Museum at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming received a good write-up at Wonderful Museums.

If gives a detailed description on what visitors would see at the museum. I went there last July and toured it twice. 

The article begins with:

The first time I really got a deep, almost visceral understanding of the sheer historical weight and engineering genius behind firearms wasn’t from a dusty old book or a grainy documentary. No, it was when I finally made the pilgrimage to the famed gun museum Cody, officially known as the Cody Firearms Museum, nestled within the magnificent Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. For years, I’d heard whispers, seen glimpses in magazines, and always felt this nagging curiosity about what truly made this place the “Smithsonian of firearms.” My perception, like many folks’, was probably a mix of intrigue and perhaps a touch of apprehension, fueled by a general lack of understanding about the historical context of these instruments. I wanted to move beyond the headlines and the polarized debates, to actually see and feel the history, the artistry, and the profound impact firearms have had on human endeavor. And let me tell you, what I found there didn’t just meet my expectations; it shattered them, offering an unparalleled journey into the very soul of America’s industrial and cultural story.

The Cody Firearms Museum is, without a doubt, the world’s most comprehensive collection of American firearms, presenting an exhaustive chronological and technological journey through the evolution of personal weaponry. It stands as an indispensable resource for historians, enthusiasts, and anyone curious about the intricate relationship between firearms, innovation, and the shaping of nations, particularly the United States. Its significance extends far beyond mere display; it serves as a critical repository for understanding industrial design, military strategy, and the everyday lives of people from the colonial era to the modern age, all within the robust framework of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West.

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

To read more, go here. 

Cody Firearms Museum

Above, just a few of the many rifles on display at the Cody Firearms Museum. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Last July, Mitch Geriminsky and I paid a visit (actually, I visited it twice) to the Cody Firearms Museum at the the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming.

If anyone has even a remote interest in firearms, this place is a must-see. 

Above, yours truly at the front of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

According to the official website:

A Must-See Wild West Museum

The Cody Firearms Museum in Cody, Wyoming is a bucket-list experience for a reason. Completely redesigned in 2019, it’s the most comprehensive firearms museum in the United States, with more than 4,000 firearms and over 10,000 total artifacts spanning centuries of history. Step into immersive exhibits that explore firearms in the American West, military history, physics, engraving, and more. Whether you’re a history enthusiast, collector, or simply curious, the museum offers a dynamic and thought-provoking experience that informs, inspires, and sparks meaningful conversations—making it a must-visit destination in the Cody and Yellowstone area. It’s more than a museum; it’s a journey through innovation, artistry, and the stories that shaped history. Plan to spend time here—you’ll want to see it all.

Above, a pull-out cabinet of Winchesters. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The price of an admission ticket allows two visits to the Center museums in a week. 

For more information of the Cody Firearms Museum, go here.

2026 WACA Show July 10-11-12, 2026 In Cody

Above, yours truly at the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Mitch Geriminsky.

Last July, Mitch Geriminsky and I attended the Winchester Arms Collectors Association Show in Cody, Wyoming. 

We spent several hours browsing through over 300 tables of firearms, mainly Winchesters. It was the first day of show open to the public. 

Above, some Winchester lever-actions on display. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While everyone was friendly and there were some interesting guns, I found that most seemed to be a bit overpriced. Perhaps if we went on the last day, sellers may be amenable to lower their prices so not to have to pack up their guns and make enough moolah to cover the cost of their tables. 

Above, the 2025 WACA show. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I may go back to the show next year. I haven't yet decided. It will be held on July 10-11-12, 2026 at Riley Arena, 1400 Heart Mountain Street, Cody, WY.

If I do go, I may just fly to Cody (it is a long drive from home) and just get a hotel room. 

For more information, go here.

Curious Relics #120: Winchester Model 1894 Part II

Above, the writer's grandfather's Winchester 1894. Writer's photo.

Part 2 of Curious Relics #119 - Winchester 1894 has been posted at AllOutdoor.

This time, the focus is of the differing variations that the Winchester 1894 were made available over the years by Winchester. The explanations on the variations are the most well written that I have seen to date.

It begins with:

Welcome, if you are a newcomer to this fun bi-weekly segment of AllOutdoor.com! If you’re just joining us, we kicked off our deep dive into the Winchester Model 1894 in Part I, where we covered the history of John Browning’s legendary lever-action design. Today, we’re tackling what might be the most confusing aspect of the Model 1894/94: its variations. This is going to be a long one, so settle in.

Variations: Winchester Model 1894/94

Let me be honest right up front: Winchester offered an almost overwhelming array of options and special orders for the Model 1894. For decades, you could walk into a gun shop with a catalog and custom-order darn near anything you wanted: barrel length, barrel profile, stock configuration, engraving, you name it. The Cody Firearms Museum in Wyoming holds the special order books that document this insane variety, and trust me, those records are wild. For the sake of research sanity and word count, we’re focusing on the core production variations, ones I settled on, the actual cataloged models that Winchester manufactured as distinct versions. Everything else, takedown features, octagon barrels, stock options, custom short “Trapper” carbines were features you could add to these base configurations, not variations themselves.

What we’re covering here are the seven true variations of the Winchester Model 1894/94 that you’re actually likely to encounter in the wild.

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum is located at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

 To read more, go here. A Part 3 will be posted when available.

Winchester Factory Records

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

If one is an owner of a vintage Winchester rifle, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West in Cody, Wyoming has the manufacturing records of several rifle models. Owners can request a letter from the center (they charge a fee) with data on their rifles. They provide manufacturing dates and configuration data.

The records include (from the Winchester Factory Records website):

Winchester Factory Records

Please note: Winchester letters are typically mailed four (4) weeks from date of payment. Members, allow two (2) business days for search returns. Members may submit search requests directly by e-mail to cfmrecords@centerofthewest.org. Be sure to include name and member number with search requests. Limit 5 searches per day.

Winchester factory records cover manufacture from 1873 into the mid-20th century. Records availability and content varies throughout production. Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

Early Winchesters mfg. 1873 – 1906

Configuration records are available for most firearms manufactured between 1873 and approximately 1906 depending on the model. Configuration information may include caliber, barrel type, trigger type, and any special-order features. Customer data is rarely available for Winchesters. Serial number application date information will be included when available.

Factory letters on these firearms are $80 for individuals who are not Firearms Members of the Center. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Winchesters mfg. 1906 – 1940s

Most Winchester records for firearms manufactured after 1906 to the end of the surviving records only contain dates of manufacture. These date-of-manufacture records are called Serial Number Application (SNA) records. SNA records are available for many of the earlier Winchesters and are automatically included in those serial number searches and factory letters.

Factory letters containing Winchester SNA dates only are $40 for non-members. Learn more about firearms membership here.

Find the full list of available Winchester models and serial number ranges here.

For more information, go here. 

Hunting Ain’t What It Used To Be

Above, James scanning the area for a coyote during the
"Great Coyote Hunt" of 2018. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I am not a hunter. I do understand the necessity for it, such as thinning out elk and deer herds so they don't overrun their food supply.

The closest thing to hunting was seven years ago when two neighbors and I went out several mornings to shoot a troublesome coyote. Although one neighbor got off a shot, he missed. The coyote took off.

From what I have been reading, the sport of hunting has changed. 

An article in Wyoming's Cowboy State Daily discusses the changes made to hunting and, according to the writer, not for the better.

It begins with:

Hunters of a certain age might wax nostalgic for a simpler time. Back then, hunting tags were readily available at the local store and knocking on a local rancher’s door and politely asking permission to hunt on his land usually worked.

Nowadays, hunters must plow through online page after page of digital regulation books months in advance, just trying to figure out which tags to apply for. And even when they’re successful in drawing their most-desired elk or antelope tags, getting hunting access can be a headache. 

Many private landowners are much more selective about who they allow onto their land, so public land hunting spots get mobbed.

At age 84, Dan Kinneman of Riverton has seen his share of changes on the Wyoming hunting scene.

For years, he was a hunting outfitter in the Dubois area.

He doesn’t like going up that way to hunt anymore. It’s changed too much, and from his perspective, for the worse. 

To read the full article, go here. 

Shooting An Ultra-Rare Smoothbore 1892 Winchester

 Video from The Cinnabar.

Hundreds of Grand Teton NP Guests Contacted After Bat Discovery

Above, a Townsend’s big-eared bat. Photo from NPS.

Over the years, I've seen bats many times at national parks and campgrounds. They were a highlight at Carlsbad Caverns National Park when they left their caves to feed on insects at a nearby river.

They are fun to watch as they swoop to devour flying insects.

However, being that bats are mammals, they are susceptible to the rabies virus, which is deadly if untreated.

A colony of bats have taken residence at the Grand Teton National Park lodge's attic and visitors have been contacted.

According to RV Travel:

Wyoming health officials are checking for rabies risks after a bat colony was found in a lodge at Grand Teton National Park. The colony was discovered in the attic above eight guest rooms at Jackson Lake Lodge, a historic hotel and restaurant with views of the Teton Range.

Since early June, there have been eight reports of guests coming into contact with bats, and the affected rooms have been closed. While the Grand Teton National Park bat exposure is tied to lodge guests, even camping visitors should heed the tips listed below.

Most visitors to Grand Teton National Park are RVers or campers, and few if any stay overnight in the lodge. Still, Wyoming’s public health department says more than 230 bookings were made for the affected rooms between May 15 and July 27. Each booking likely included at least two people, coming from 38 states and seven countries. This, according to Wyoming state public health veterinarian Emily Curren.

All bats that were captured tested negative for rabies, Curren said. However, the risk is not completely gone.

To read more, go here. 

Cody KOA Holiday

Above, the office and store of the Cody KOA Holiday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The article in RV Travel on the Cody Firearms Museum (that I just blogged about) recommends several RV parks in town. During our stay in Cody, we stayed at the Cody KOA Holiday, which is a little past the Cody Regional Airport.

It was one of the largest KOAs I've stayed at with plenty of things to do. Our site was a pull-through site. It was nice enough, but if one wants shade (there are no trees around), make use of the RV's awning.

Above, our campsite at the Cody KOA Holiday. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Cody is roughly 52 miles from the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park, so it is a handy place to stay. 

The KOA has free shuttles to the Cody nightly rodeo for campers. All one has to do is sign up. We made good use of the city's Uber services for getting into town for our excursions.

To read my review of the Cody KOA Holiday in RV Life Campgrounds, go here.

To make reservations, go to the Cody KOA's page at the KOA Kampground website.

RV Travel's "Visit The Cody Firearms Museum"

Above, the Cody Firearms Museum gives a great history of firearms. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

It is hard to believe that we're at a month since the trip to Wyoming and other states. Time flies, right? The trip began on July 6.

One of the first things a friend and I did was to visit the Buffalo Bill Center of the West to see the Cody Firearms Museum and other museums in the Center. Just visiting the Firearms Museum alone is well worth the price of admission (good for two days, by the way).

Above, the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

I just so happens that RV Travel posted an article on the Cody Firearms Museum in early June and only this morning I just saw it.

It begins with:

Nestled in the heart of Cody, Wyoming, the Cody Firearms Museum welcomes visitors with an unparalleled collection of firearms and related artifacts.

Whether you’re a firearms enthusiast or simply curious about the role guns have played in shaping our past, this museum is well worth a visit.

Location and accessibility

The Cody Firearms Museum is located at 720 Sheridan Avenue, Cody, WY 82414, within the iconic Buffalo Bill Center of the West complex. As part of a larger cultural center that includes museums dedicated to Western art, natural history, and Plains Indian culture, it’s easy to combine your visit with other attractions.

RVers will find plenty of street parking nearby for tow vehicles. Cody’s downtown area is RV-friendly with several municipal lots and pull-through spaces. The museum is open daily, and tickets can be purchased on-site or in advance through the Buffalo Bill Center’s website.

If one hasn't made any vacation plans this summer, a trip to Cody is well worth one's time!

To read more, go here. 

The Wrangler Store

Above, The Wrangler store in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

As I mentioned previously, whenever I am in Cheyenne, Wyoming, I make it a point to stop at The Wrangler store.

The Wrangler occupies a building that was built in 1892. One notable former occupant at the location was the Normandie Hotel. 

Above, The Wrangler has plenty of boots to choose from. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During a 1977 trip home from Shelton, Nebraska with my parents, we stopped in The Wrangler store. I got my first pair of boots there. I still may have them somewhere in the garage. I remember the store's interior was rustic in appearance. I don't remember how my parents happened to know about The Wrangler. 

According to Wikimedia Commons: 

Not that you'd want to, but it would be hard to miss The Wrangler in downtown Cheyenne. The three story red-painted brick building dominates a corner of Capitol Avenue by the train tracks. Home to some sort of retail outlet since its erection in 1892, the main building was joined with an adjacent former hotel sometime in the 1960s. Together the two buildings give you about 13,000 square feet of ranchwear and Western clothing, hats, boots and accessories to choose from or just marvel at.

Above, The Wrangler's famous hat room. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

During my recent trip to Wyoming, a stop was made at The Wrangler store. I got myself a new belt and a lady friend a necklace. The sales clerk told me that the store was bought by Boot Barn fifteen years ago. They have modernized the interior of the store and it looked nothing like I remembered in 1977. As I have an account with Boot Barn, I was able to use my charge card. 

They still have a huge selection of cowboy boots and hats along with western clothing items for men and women. 

For more information, go here. 

Campground Reviews Posted

Above, Moab KOA Kampground. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Since returning from the 12-day trip to Wyoming, Montana, Utah, South Dakota and Colorado, I have campground reviews posted at RV Life Campground Reviews.

During the trip, we stayed at eight campgrounds, most of them were KOA Kampgrounds.

The KOA Kampgrounds were (in order of stays):

• Moab, Utah
• Vernal, Utah
• Cody, Wyoming
• Deadwood, Wyoming
• Hardin, Montana
• Devils Tower, Wyoming
• Colorado Springs, Colorado

The non-KOA campground:

Eagle RV Park, Thermopolis, Utah

To access RV Life Campground Reviews, go here. 

Flaming Gorge Resort

Above, Flaming Gorge Resort Fly Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

While traveling to Cody, Wyoming, we stopped at Flaming Gorge Resort for breakfast.

Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area straddles Utah and Wyoming. It is a huge reservoir with plenty of camping, fishing and water sports activities available for vacationers and sportsmen. 

Above, a little oddity for sale in the Fly Shop. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Flaming Gorge Resort's restaurant's food was good! 

After breakfast, we perused around the Fly & Tackle Shop. They have plenty of fishing and camping gear along with gift items. 

Above, Mitch Geriminsky outside of the restaurant. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Flaming Gorge is a beautiful area with pine-covered forests. I am tempted to go back for a few days of camping.

For more information on the resort, go here.

Devils Tower National Monument

Before heading to the Black Hills of South Dakota, we stopped for the night at Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming.

I had been there before in 1990, but that was only a quick stop before proceeding to Yellowstone National Park. 

We stayed at the Devils Tower KOA Kampground. The campground shows Close Encounters of the Third Kind nightly. We joined other campers at the night's screening. 

Before leaving, we took a drive into Devils Tower National Monument and took some photos along the way.

Below are various photos in and out of the national monument of Devils Tower.

Buffalo Bill Cody Museum

Above, visitors to the Center are greeted by this statue of Buffalo
Bill Cody at the main entrance. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

The Buffalo Bill Center of the West contains five museums: Whitney Western Art Museum, Buffalo Bill Museum, Plains Indian Museum, Cody Firearms Museum and the Draper Natural History Museum 

We took in three of them: The Cody Firearms Museum, Plains Indian Museum and the Buffalo Bill Museum.

On the Buffalo Bill Museum, the Center's website states:

A Must-See Wild West Museum

The Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wyoming is one of five museums at the Buffalo Bill Center of the West. It’s a western history museum about the museum’s namesake, as well as some of the biggest characters in the West like Annie Oakley, Sitting Bull, Pawnee Bill, and other members of the Wild West Show. 

If you want to learn about cowboy folklore and pop culture on your way through the Yellowstone area, this is your place to visit. 

There were many paintings and photographs of Buffalo Bill Cody in the museum along with artifacts of the era he lived in.

For more information on the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, go here.

Some photos:

Travelin' Cat

Above, Sierra relaxing on my bed. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

Along with friend Mitch Geriminsky and myself, my cat Sierra was also on the Wyoming-South Dakota trip with us.

She mainly stayed under my seat while driving, but would come out whenever we were at camp.

Above, Sierra at one of her favorite spots in the motorhome. Photo by Armand Vaquer.

At nearly ten years old (she'll hit that milestone next month), she has done a lot of RV travel with me over the years. The first trip for Sierra was in 2016 to Yosemite National Park.