Monthly Archives: January 2012

Shadow: Day 16, Project 365

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Shadow and decorative ball

Shadow and decorative ball

So, Shadow is tiny, right?  I have some “decorative” balls in my living room. When dusting I took the bowl they are in and placed it on the bottom shelf of the end table.  Forgot.  Shadow latched on to the biggest ball and likes dragging it around.  Or lifting and carrying it around. ;)

I took a video. :)

Isn’t he cute?  We have gone outside a few times, Shadow and I both agree, while it is beautiful outside, looks can be, and are, very deceiving.  IT IS FREEZING!  Sun shining, but no heat to speak of nor to get warm.  We didn’t last long.  Shadow was very interested in the black lab next door, who asserted his authority over the neighborhood quite loudly, and stopped to look and listen to the lab.  Not sure if he, Shadow, took it to heart or as the “grain of salt” it may certainly turn out to be.  We will see who the bigger doggie is, right?  Heheheh

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Wyoming’s Small Town of Cody Does July 4th in a Big Way, with the 93rd Annual Stampede

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Wyoming’s Small Town of Cody Does July 4th in a Big Way, with the 93rd Annual Stampede | Travel Video News.

Cody, Wyo., January, 2012 – The 9,000 full-time residents of the northwestern Wyoming town of Cody celebrate the July 4th holiday in a big way. So big, in fact, it takes five days to pack in all of the events.

Here in Cody, we look forward to the Cody Stampede and the events that lead up to it as much as a child looks forward to the arrival of Santa,” said Claudia Wade, executive director of the Park County Travel Council. “The entire town is decked out with patriotic decorations, and shops and restaurants are bustling with activity.

Wade noted this year is the 93rd annual Cody Stampede Rodeo, a fact that clearly reflects the town’s long-time equestrian roots.

The celebration kicks off Saturday, June 30 with the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association (PRCA) Rodeo Xtreme Bulls event. This event features 40 of the world’s top bull riders competing for a $50,000 purse and the coveted Cody-Yellowstone Xtreme Bulls title. Cody is the seventh stop on this nine-stop tour, which typically begins in January.

The four Cody Stampede Rodeos – part of the Wrangler Pro Rodeo Tour sanctioned by PRCA – are held July 1 – 4. The first three performances are held at 7 p.m., and the final performance on July 4 is at 4 p.m. The Cody Nite Rodeo, the town’s nightly rodeo, runs from June 1 through Aug. 31, Cody Stampede Rodeo has twice been named the “Best Large Outdoor Rodeo of the Year” by PRCA.

Other events during the celebration include parades, a street dance, barbecues and the Wild West Extravaganza in City Park, a three-day festival with arts and crafts booths, food vendors and music.

The Stampede Parade on the morning of July 4 is especially fun, said Wade. At least three marching bands from around the country are invited to entertain the crowds that line Sheridan Avenue, Cody’s main street. And every year, Cody residents look forward to the announcement of the parade grand marshal. Past grand marshals have included John Wayne, Steven Seagal and Chuck Yeager.

Following the Cody Stampede Rodeo on July 4th, Cody caps the annual celebration with the Cody Skylighters Fireworks Show.

Wade advises travelers to plan far ahead if they want to experience Cody Stampede . The town’s inns, lodges, hotels and guest ranches offer more than 1,600 rooms, and most of those sell out during the Cody Stampede.

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Yellowstone Country is comprised of the towns of Cody, Powell and Meeteetse as well as the valley east of Yellowstone National Park.

The area of Park County is called “Buffalo Bill’s Cody/Yellowstone Country because it was the playground of Buffalo Bill Cody himself. Buffalo Bill founded the town of Cody in 1896, and the entire region was driven and is still heavily influenced by the vision of the Colonel. Today its broad streets, world-class museum Buffalo Bill Historical Center and thriving western culture host more than 1 million visitors annually.

The Park County Travel Council website (www.yellowstonecountry.org) lists information about vacation packages, special events, guide services, weather and more. Travelers wishing to arrange vacation can also call the Park County Travel Council at 1-800-393-2639.

Senator Barbara Boxer Slams Spirit Airlines’ ‘Deliberate Attempt To Deceive’ Fliers

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Senator Barbara Boxer Slams Spirit Airlines’ ‘Deliberate Attempt To Deceive’ Fliers.

In a letter today to the CEO of low cost carrier Spirit Airlines, Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) says the airline is engaged in a “deliberate attempt to deceive the flying public about a new Department of Transportation (DOT) rule that will improve the transparency of airfares for consumers.”

The rule, which comes into effect today, requires airlines to include mandatory government taxes, fees and other charges in advertisements of airfares.

Spirit, which is known for its alluring come-on fares often advertised for as little as $9, recently sent an email to customers saying: “New government regulations require us to HIDE taxes in your fares.” The same line still appeared in a splash graphic on the airline’s website as of noon Thursday.  I checked before this posted, it sure did pop up saying they are REQUIRED to hide the taxes.  WOW!

“Nothing could be further from the truth,” Boxer writes in her letter. “What the rule says is that you have to tell your customers the full cost of a ticket. It prohibits Spirit or any other airline from advertising fares ‘that exclude taxes, fees or other charges since the major impact of such presentations is to confuse and deceive consumers.’”

Boxer’s view is supported by independent industry watchers. In an interview with HuffPost Travel last week, Travelzoo‘s US Web Editor Andrew Young described the new rules as “good for the consumer.” Founder of Airfarewatchdog and HuffPost Travel blogger George Hobica writes that “If you’re an airline, January 26, 2012 is a day that will go down in infamy.”

On New York‘s WPIX Thursday morning, consumer advocate Christopher Elliott said the changes are a win for fliers.

“Before the rules took effect, you really didn’t know how much you were paying for your airline ticket until you got to the very end of the booking,” Elliott told the network.

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