Debra Parmley's Blog

Near the top of my wishlist in 2021 for things I wanted to see out west on our big go west trip was ‘visit a ghost town.’ This turned out to be easier imagined than done. It wasn’t until 2023 that we made my wish happen. And what a journey and a challenge that was.

If you’re looking for one of the most fascinating, rugged, and mysterious places to explore in the American West, look no further than Kirwin, Wyoming. Hidden high in the Absaroka Mountains, this abandoned mining town is one of the best-preserved and most haunted ghost towns in the United States.

From river crossings and avalanches to mining dreams and a visit from Amelia Earhart, Kirwin’s story is one of adventure, ambition—and ultimate abandonment.

In this travel blog post, I’ll take you through how to visit Kirwin, what to expect, and why this ghost town was at the very top of my Wyoming bucket list. I’ll also share my personal story of trying to find a real ghost town, and once I found Kirwin, WY, the challenges I faced as a newly disabled person, to make it to the site and make that wish come true.

Why my first attempt to find a ghost town failed:

In 2021, on our trip out west, I found some ghost towns listed on Google. So we set off in search of them. We ended up having an adventure of a different kind.

It’s not that we didn’t find what Google said was a ghost town. Google may bring up places listed as ghost towns, but then you find people living in the town, with modern cars, or nothing remains of any of the old western buildings. That does not fit my criteria for a ghost town. Every town we found was a disappointment.

As disappointing as those were, when we then ran out of gas in the middle of nowhere, with no gas station for many miles and no traffic at all, that became worrisome. Finally, one truck came along and stopped. The driver had left a mine where he’d been working and would give us a ride. It was pure luck. (Or our guardian angels at work.)

At the truck stop, the next problem was how my husband could get back to the truck with the gas can. No one was going that way until a local sheriff’s deputy said he could take him. But if a call came in, he’d have to leave him by the side of the road. In the rain. Luckily, that call didn’t come in until right before he dropped my husband off. By the time my husband picked me up again at the truck stop, we both were done searching for ghost towns that year. We went home for tomato soup and grilled cheese and were happy to be home again in the RV.

To attempt a ghost town adventure again, I knew I needed better information than I’d found on a Google search. I would do my own research. The same way I do for my books.

You can learn from my mistakes. Don’t count on Google or GPS. Do real history research and use real paper maps. Make sure the gas tank is full and carry extra gas in a gas can.

By 2023, I had my sights on Kirwin:

When we moved to Cody, Wyoming, to work for the season, I had specific ghost towns on my radar. First, we would go through Old Town in Cody. Similar to a ghost town, because the original buildings have been brought in from their original sites and carefully reconstructed, that would appease me briefly. But I still wanted to see a real, on the historical spot, ghost town. A town where the people left, but the town remained. I knew I would find that in Kirwin, WY.

A Personal Journey to Kirwin (and Why It Mattered So Much)

Visiting Kirwin wasn’t just a sightseeing trip for me—it was a personal mission.

Personal Delays and Challenges:

There were delays. In June of 2023, I became disabled from an inoperable blood clot in my brain, which affected my balance, and Bell’s palsy symptoms on the left side of my face. I spent 18 days in the hospital, and once out, I needed a walker to walk around. I could easily fall to the left, even when seated. Those were big challenges. But my list hadn’t changed. I still wanted to see a ghost town, specifically Kirwin.

And I wanted to see it before we left Cody, because who knew when we would be back. Living with an inoperable blood clot will make you live every day as if it were your last, if you weren’t already living that way. I’d done my research and knew enough about the ghost town of Kirwin, WY, to know it was an opportunity to see a real ghost town. We would leave Cody on Oct 5th. Time was running out.

I was determined to go there, and my husband was determined to make this happen for me. In September 2023, we headed out, and Tommy and Debbie, our RV neighbors from next door, joined us. To be able to make this bumpy trip, I took three prescriptions to prevent nausea and dizziness as well as some ginger. I’d saved my last Valium pill, just for this trip.

The truth was, I was dizzy every day, even sitting in a chair. From the moment I woke to the moment I went to sleep, I was dizzy. Nothing was ever still visually. My left ear was never quiet. But I was determined to live my life as fully as possible and still follow my dreams. I would just “do it dizzy.” And why not? I was dizzy every day anyway. I’d have to wear my eye patch and use my walker, and I needed someone to help me. My husband would not let me down. So off we went in our Colorado truck on our adventure.

The first of the three rivers we had to cross was low.

The dirt and gravel roads we drove in on were bumpy. At times, I had to close my eyes as the jarring shook my head. There were dips, and it got even bumpier crossing the rivers.

This view through my window will show you how close to the mountainside we were and how many rocks there were. These rocks we were driving across made the drive so very bumpy.

We drove through water where the river was low, and up a curving road, then finally reached the parking area. From there, we would have to walk in.

If Mike hadn’t been holding onto me, I would likely have fallen to the left. Though I’d have to use the walker to get around, I didn’t want it in the photos. This was not an accessible adventure in any way, so don’t get the idea that it was or that this was easy. I wouldn’t want anyone reading this to go out there and get hurt. Or to go there and be disappointed when they can’t do what I did with a lot of help. I’m a push on through kind of gal, so if it is at all possible to get through a thing, I will make it happen.

I was determined to go see all the buildings. I just had to make it through this kind of ground. Oh gee, that’s all. The walker was not made for this kind of walking. This is as close as I got here.

This building was flat inside, and I was able to use the walker on my own once I got in there.

This cabin wasn’t clear enough for me to walk inside, so I just peered through the door.

The Wolf Shaft Mine house was too far up the hill with too many steps for me to climb up there, and by then, I was tired and ready to sit on my walker. So I sat enjoying the fresh air and birds singing while the others hiked up to it and went in.

I was just happy to have seen a real ghost town and to have made it this far. After this, we made our way back, along the same bumpy paths and across the rivers.

What an adventure!

Now let me tell you more about Kirwin. The history and info on going there.

What Is Kirwin, Wyoming?

Kirwin is an abandoned 19th-century mining town located in the Shoshone National Forest, about 34 miles southwest of Meeteetse, Wyoming. It was founded after gold and silver were discovered in 1885, and quickly grew into a small, hopeful community.

At its peak (1904–1906), Kirwin was home to about 200 residents, complete with cabins, a hotel, general stores, and mining operations. However, its isolated location, extreme winters, and avalanche threats eventually led to its abandonment.

Today, Kirwin remains one of the most authentic ghost towns in the West, with many original structures and mine shafts still standing—weathered but powerful in their silence.

How to Get to Kirwin

Getting to Kirwin is part of the adventure—and a serious one at that.

Location: Shoshone National Forest, near Meeteetse, WYAccess Season: Mid-May through November (weather dependent)Vehicle Required: High-clearance 4×4 (no exceptions)Road: Forest Service Road 200Hazards: Three unbridged river crossings, no cell service, your GPS may fail

If you’re not comfortable with off-roading or river crossings, you can book a guided tour through local outfitters in Meeteetse.

Important: Do not attempt river crossings if the water is too deep or fast. Always check the weather and current road conditions before your trip.

A Haunting History: The Rise and Fall of Kirwin

The Gold Rush Years

1885: William Kirwin and Henry Adams discover gold while deer hunting1891: The Wood River Mining District is formed1904–1906: Kirwin booms with miners and families

Mining operations included famous claims like the Bryan, Pickwick, Smuggler, and Molly Logan Mines. Unlike most mining towns, Kirwin had no saloons, brothels, or cemetery. Instead, residents embraced reading, parlor games, and even welcomed visitors warmly.

Avalanche Tragedy and Abandonment

But life wasn’t easy at 9,200 feet. In 1907, a powerful avalanche buried parts of the town, destroyed buildings, and claimed three lives. That spring, most of the residents left for good.

Although some mining activity continued (notably the Wolf Mine in the 1940s), Kirwin’s isolation and lack of a railroad meant it never became a successful mining district. By the time the financial panic of 1907 hit, the dream had ended.

Amelia Earhart’s Connection to Kirwin

One of the most intriguing footnotes in Kirwin’s history? In 1934, famed aviator Amelia Earhart visited the nearby Double D Dude Ranch and was so taken with the landscape that she asked ranch owner Carl Dunrud to build her a cabin near Kirwin. Construction began—but after Earhart disappeared in 1937, the project was abandoned. You can still hike to her unfinished cabin.

What You’ll See in Kirwin Today

Kirwin is considered one of the most well-preserved ghost towns in Wyoming. Walking through the site, you’ll find:

The Wolf Mine shaft houselog cabins Remnants of a sawmill, assay shop, and stablesA manager’s house with architectural features rare for frontier towns (including dormers)

The site is protected and maintained by the Shoshone National Forest, Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality, and dedicated volunteers. Please be respectful of the structures—take only photos and leave no trace.

Stop in Meeteetse: Your Gateway to Kirwin

Before heading up to Kirwin, be sure to visit the town of Meeteetse, Wyoming. This charming western town is home to:

The Meeteetse Museum (a must-stop for history buffs)The historic Cowboy Bar (where Butch Cassidy was once arrested!)Old-fashioned wooden boardwalks and hitching posts

Pick up a Kirwin map at the museum and stock up on supplies before making the journey.

Learn more at www.meeteetsewy.com

Final Thoughts: Why Kirwin Is Worth the Trip

Kirwin isn’t just a ghost town—it’s a place where history, nature, and the human spirit collide. Whether you’re chasing history, solitude, or the thrill of a remote adventure, Kirwin delivers something unforgettable.

For me, visiting Kirwin was about more than ticking a place off a list. It was about proving to myself that life is still out there—waiting to be lived—even after illness. It was bumpy, dusty, and emotional. And I would do it again in a heartbeat.

Quick Tips for Visiting Kirwin

Bring a paper map and written directions
Drive a high-clearance 4×4
Check river levels and weather before you go
Carry extra water, snacks, a first aid kit, and a spare tire
We did not have cell service or GPS there—be prepared

Have you ever visited a ghost town like Kirwin? Share your thoughts and stories in the comments below. And if you’re planning a trip, drop your questions—I’m happy to help!

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For more about my books, visit www.debraparmley.com

You may be thinking, a selfie with a bison? Are you nuts? If we’d been trying to get one, then yes, that would be a crazy thing to do. But it happened quite by accident.

Likely you’ve seen news reports where a tourist has tried to get up close with a buffalo or other wild animal in Yellowstone. That often doesn’t turn out well. More humans in Yellowstone National Park are injured by bison than by any other wild animal, including grizzly bears. The T-shirts out west, which read, ‘Don’t pet the fluffy cows,’ are a humorous reminder of a serious subject.

American bison are North America’s largest land mammal. Adult bison cows weigh about 1,000 pounds and reach a height of 4-5 feet, while full-grown bulls can weigh twice as much, up to 2,000 pounds, and get 6 feet tall.  As large and heavy as they look, you might make the mistake of assuming that they are slow.

Bison are extremely agile, and they are fast. They can spin around faster than a horse and jump over high fences. Bison can run up to 35 miles per hour (three times as fast as the average human). Don’t think you can outrun a bison. You cannot.

Throughout Yellowstone, there are signs explaining that 25 yards is a safe length between you and a bison. That’s about the length of a school bus, which is easy for young kids to remember.

In 2021, during one of our daily visits to Yellowstone, we were walking along one of the wooden pathways, which allowed us to view the mud caldron in the mud volcano area, not thinking about bison, when a fully grown bull came down the hill to eat grass. He was closer than a school bus, which had me worried.

Tourists on the wooden path with us were excited and wanted pictures.

So, this is how we ended up with this selfie of us with a bison. Mike is laughing because I said, “Don’t look it in the eyes and back away, slow.” I was worried it would charge us.

After we got these pictures, we went back to our truck.

Mud flats from the boardwalk.

Afterward, because I wanted to know if my instincts were right, I read more from the National Park Service advice on preventing a bison attack.

If the bison stops what it’s doing and looks up at you, that’s a clear sign you’re too close. Back away slowly. Don’t run or make any sudden movements. If the bison is walking down the trail toward you, either retreat where you came from or leave the trail, giving it a wide berth. Surprised bison often run away, but may stop and take a closer look at you. Assess the situation and distance. Either back away slowly, allowing them to move, or walk around them, and always keep your distance. Never approach a bison. If the bison doesn’t move, it’s you who should back away.

Bison warning signs that it may charge include snorting, shaking or tossing its head, pawing the ground, raising its tail, and bluff charges

Making yourself large and making noise will not scare off a bison. This will not deter an angry bison. Your best chance of escaping an attacking bison unharmed is finding cover right away. If there are trees around, take cover behind one and keep moving as the animal tries to get to you. Any large object will do, including cars and restroom buildings. Climbing a tree is also a good idea, if you can. You do not want to get caught by its horns and tossed into the air, which has happened.

The bison rut begins in July and lasts through August. In this period, bulls are fired up on testosterone and will fight other bulls for dominance over females. It’s especially important to keep your distance from individual bison and bison herds this time of year.

Later, a park ranger told us bison bulls, who can’t be part of a herd, because the bull in charge kicks him out, have learned to stay close to the tourists. This is safer for them as it’s less likely they will encounter wolves. Usually, they want to eat the grass or drink water. But you still do not want to get close to them.  

By 2023, the season we worked in Cody, Wyoming, I had learned more about the animals in Yellowstone and how to be safe. As I was showing and renting log cabins, it became clear that many tourists were unaware of safety issues with bison or other wild animals. I always told them, never get between a wild animal and its young, a wild animal and its food, and a wild animal and water. You may not know if it has young nearby.

I would suggest getting a good pair of binoculars and a camera with a good zoom lens to take pictures of the wildlife in Yellowstone.

One of my newest books, Montana Delta Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector, is set around Cody, Wyoming, and Billings, Montana, both areas I learned well as we lived in Cody.  The entrance to Yellowstone is just two hours away. 

I have many more stories to share about our travels out west, and next month, I’ll share a look at the ghost town of Kirwin.

One of my writing projects is a book about our first year living full-time in the motorhome, which includes our long go west trip from Ohio to the California redwoods and back to Memphis, TN. I’ll work on this book in between writing my fiction, with plans to publish the travel tales in 2026.

I started writing a book about our first year living full-time in the motorhome, which includes our long 109 day go west trip from Ohio to the California redwoods and back to Memphis, TN. It got put on hold for health reasons, but now I’m back to it and taking Sept and Oct to work on the outline with all the facts of when and where we traveled. There’s a lot of data to wrangle. I plan to work on the book this winter, in between writing my fiction, with plans to publish the travel tales in 2026. 

In the meantime, I’ve got two brand new books out!

My July release, Montana Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector, is set in Cody, WY, where we lived in 2023. So, I know this area well. Cody is 52 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone and takes about an hour if you don’t stop. The east gate is seasonally open from early May to early November. We lived there before the east gate opened when the snows drove the animals down low near the road, and we moved Oct. 5th before the snows came back. Most RV parks close during the snowy season.

 Sept 1st my most recent book, Chivalry in the Meadow, came out. It’s a fantasy romance set at a Renaissance Fair. It’s up on KU with 50% of the proceeds going to Texas flood victims for the first 90 days, then it will come off KU and go wide. For more, read below.

If you have questions about our full-time motorhome lifestyle, send them along to debra@debraparmley.com, and they may appear in a future article.

If you would like to check out more of our travels or my books, check out the links below.

Remember, “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley, Your Beautiful Day Traveler

To be sure not to miss any of my travel and RV living posts here, be sure to subscribe to: beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/

My travel videos are on Debra’s Beautiful Day YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC27hTWse4gLJxTETQw6i7xw/

My other links:

Website: debraparmley.com

Newsletter sign-up:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w9s9h0

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Goodreads: goodreads.com/debraparmley

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-parmley

Debra’s books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EsbWsa

Most people have heard of the Grand Canyon and have also heard of Yellowstone National Park. Both draw thousands of people to visit during the warm seasons. But have you heard of the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, WY?

This was one of my top five favorite places to visit in Yellowstone on our 109-day go west trip in 2021. We visited in July.

It also has one of the top three things I look for when we travel – a waterfall! I love watching them and listening to them.

Mike and me living our travel dreams.

At the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone, you can find the upper falls and lower falls of the Yellowstone River.

With two rims to visit, multiple viewpoints, and several hiking trails, there is a lot to do here. We drove to each overlook and then hiked up to the best viewpoints.

You can see the bridge behind us.

I believe Lookout Point at the North Rim is the most visited. This is one I would not want to miss.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River is located south of Canyon Village and is accessible by car via the North Rim Drive, South Rim Drive, and Brink of the Upper Falls Drive. There is also a hiking trail from the Canyon Lodge area out to the North Rim.

If you are headed to Yellowstone, I recommend driving to see the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone and stopping at every lookout you can. The views are so incredible, my photos don’t do them justice.

This site will tell you more, including accessibility, and has some gorgeous photos. 

https://www.nps.gov/thingstodo/yell-grand-canyon-of-the-yellowstone.htm

I started writing a book about our first year living full-time in the motorhome, which includes our long 109 day go west trip from Ohio to the California redwoods and back to Memphis, TN. It got put on hold for health reasons, but now I’m back to it and taking Sept and Oct to work on the outline with all the facts of when and where we traveled. There’s a lot of data to wrangle. I plan to work on the book this winter, in between writing my fiction, with plans to publish the travel tales in 2026. 

In the meantime, I’ve got two brand new books out!

My July release, Montana Rodeo Cowboy: Bodyguard Protector, is set in Cody, WY, where we lived in 2023. So, I know this area well. Cody is 52 miles from the east gate of Yellowstone and takes about an hour if you don’t stop. The east gate is seasonally open from early May to early November. We lived there before the east gate opened when the snows drove the animals down low near the road, and we moved Oct. 5th before the snows came back. Most RV parks close during the snowy season.

 Sept 1st my most recent book, Chivalry in the Meadow, came out. It’s a fantasy romance set at a Renaissance Fair. It’s up on KU with 50% of the proceeds going to Texas flood victims for the first 90 days, then it will come off KU and go wide. For more, read below.

If you have questions about our full-time motorhome lifestyle, send them along to debra@debraparmley.com, and they may appear in a future article.

If you would like to check out more of our travels or my books, check out the links below.

Remember, “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley, Your Beautiful Day Traveler

To be sure not to miss any of my travel and RV living posts here, be sure to subscribe to: beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/

My travel videos are on Debra’s Beautiful Day YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC27hTWse4gLJxTETQw6i7xw/

My other links:

Website: debraparmley.com

Newsletter sign-up:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w9s9h0

FB page facebook.com/debra.parmley.7

FB fan page: facebook.com/authordebraparmley/

Instagram: instagram.com/debraparmley

Pinterest: pinterest.com/debraparmley/

Goodreads: goodreads.com/debraparmley

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-parmley

Debra’s books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EsbWsa

Click Here! https://amzn.to/4nfUYxd

Hope Runs Deep: A Multi-Author Charity Collection Benefitting Kerr County, Texas
A collection of romance, romantasy, and mystery stories where every page gives back. For 90 days (from the date of publication), the participating authors are donating at least 50% of royalties to the Kerr County Fund to help victims rebuild after the July 2025 floods.

Click Here! https://amzn.to/483vaA5 Out in ebook and in paperback!

On June 13, 2021, we drove to the Badlands National Park, one of the big wishes on our wish list for our 109-day Go West trip.

Do you know what the Badlands are?

A sunbleached map of the Badlands. The extreme heat and the sun here will bake everything, so bring water and wear a big hat.

So, what are the Badlands?

Badland formations are found on every continent. Dry climate, sedimentary rocks, canyons, and pinncales make up areas known as badlands.

Badlands National Park in the US is a desolate and visually stunning place to visit.

When the Lakota came here, they saw Paha ska (white hills) – a place of bountiful hunting. Historically used for transitory camps, the Paha ska, and their western counterpart, the Paha sapa (black hills), lie in the heart of Lakota treaty lands set aside in 1868.

French trappers in the mid-1700s, frustrated by the land’s sharp peaks and crumbling rock, regarded the area as les mauvaises terres (bad lands). The Lakota began calling this place Mako sica (land bad).

Mike took the trail out to walk in one area, you can see below …

I went a different direction for a different view. This way, we could both get pictures from different areas. It was hot and thirsty walking, but check out the views!

Carry at least one liter of water per person for the one-half mile (800 meter) hike through rugged terrain. Follow short yellow trail markers and keep to the marked trail. It is easy to lose your bearings and become disoriented. The trail ends with a yellow and red pot at a dramatic canyon view.

We continued our adventure driving through the badlands, and as we left the Badlands, we ended up next to a cattle ranch. This calf was interested in checking us out.

If you would like to check out more of our travels or my books, check out the links below.

Remember, “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley, Your Beautiful Day Traveler

To be sure not to miss any of my travel and RV living posts, subscribe to: beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/

My travel videos are on Debra’s Beautiful Day YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC27hTWse4gLJxTETQw6i7xw/

My other links:

Website: debraparmley.com

Newsletter sign-up:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w9s9h0

FB page facebook.com/debra.parmley.7

FB fan page: facebook.com/authordebraparmley/

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Goodreads: goodreads.com/debraparmley

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-parmley

Debra’s books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EsbWsa

Cody, Wyoming, is the most patriotic town I have ever been to, with five days of Fourth of July celebrations and rodeo every night.

I will be adding more photos to this blog post as I find them.

The first time we celebrated the 4th in Cody was in 2021 on our big 109-day go west trip. I’ll begin with that year.

June 30th was the start, with the Extreme Bulls rodeo. We got tickets to the rodeo, and on the advice of one of my good friends who lives in Cody, we also got tickets to the chuckwagon supper and show.

On the morning of July 3rd, there was a parade. Mike and I found places near the Irma Hotel where the announcer was on the second floor. This was a good spot.

These parades always have many horses and riders. These are the National Park service mules. Back in the day, they would have delivered for the US Postal Service.

We were able to see the rodeo on the third but couldn’t get tickets for the fourth.

On the morning of the 4th, there was a second, larger parade. We met my friend and her mother at the other end of town, and there was a second announcer here.

It begins with the longhorn steers. Check out the horns on this bad boy!

You can see the cowboys riding around them to herd them. Some bulls want to go a different way and will have to be turned around.

Then on the evening of the 4th, we went to the top of the hill where the locals go to watch the fireworks. Bursting over the landscape, they were spectacular.

1890s Old Trail Town in Cody, Wyoming, is a fascinating place to visit. You can see Buth Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Cabin and the Rivers Saloon among other buildings, and you can see Jeremiah Johnson’s grave and several others.

Old Trail Town is right next to the rodeo, and with a supper show on the other side, you could plan a day and evening to include all three.

The day we chose to walk through the town, we had a few rain showers which didn’t last long. Just enough to keep the dust and the heat down which was very pleasant.

Located at the site Buffalo Bill Cody had chosen for the new town of “Cody City” in 1895, I think Old Town and the preservation of the buildings and the history would have made Buffalo Bill very happy.

In 1967, archaeologist Bob Edgar started gathering old buildings, which were disappearing because taxes were being levied on all buildings on ranchers’ property. Some chose to tear down the buildings rather than pay the taxes. Who better than an archaeologist to not only save these buildings but to be able to move them and put them back together again without damaging them.

They keep adding buildings to Old Town, so although we visited in 2021, when we returned in 2023 we saw buildings we hadn’t seen before and they were working on another.

With 28 buildings rebuilt and preserved for us to see, and 100 horse-drawn vehicles, it’s like stepping back into an old town in the Wild West.

The Three Rivers Saloon.

If you make it to Cody, WY I recommend visiting Old Town. https://www.oldtrailtown.org/ It is an outdoor museum and closes for the winter season, usually opening around May 15th. Check their website before you plan to go.

Remember, “Every day we are alive is a beautiful day.” – Debra Parmley, Your Beautiful Day Traveler

To be sure not to miss any of my travel and RV living posts be sure to subscribe to: beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/

My videos are on Debra’s Beautiful Day YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC27hTWse4gLJxTETQw6i7xw/

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Website: debraparmley.com

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Debra’s books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EsbWsa

Cody, Wyoming is a unique town in the United States. To really get the feel for Cody, you almost have to be there, but I will do my best to give you some feel for the town. It has been a while since we began our adventures there and in some ways, I am still making my way back.

The town of Cody was founded by legendary cowboy showman Buffalo Bill Cody. He conceived his famous Wild West Show here. Since 1938 there has been a rodeo every night, in the summer, which is why Cody is known as the rodeo capital of the world.

The Fourth of July Parade is held two days in a row and is full of horses, cowboys, and all things Western and patriotic. I’ve never seen a town celebrate the 4th as much as Cody. Would you jump at a chance to live in Cody, Wyoming? We did.

Summer season of 2023, my hubby and I moved to Cody, Wyoming, and took on workamper jobs. Workamping is something we’ve done from time to time, in between our traveling adventures. Compensation usually includes a spot for your RV rent-free, including utilities, with an hourly rate for an agreed-upon amount of hours for an agreed-upon period usually during tourist season. It can be a great way to live in places you might otherwise not be able to live, with the added plus of being able to travel around the area and learn and see new things.

Our Cody jobs ran from May to Oct. 5th. 2023. My job was to show and rent cabins at the Buffalo Bill Village driving guests in a golf cart on the evening shift. My husband’s job was in grounds maintenance, day shift, for the Buffalo Bill Village and the two hotels next door, Holiday Inn, and Best Western. He also did general maintenance as needed. This was the first time for us to work different shifts while workamping. He was on days and I worked nights.

After we arrived, my husband started work the next day, but I had a few days to settle us in before my job started. We signed up for the season at the Paul-Stock-Aquatic-and-Recreation-Center which has an 8-lane pool, a therapy pool, and a hot tub. If you’re only there for a weekend, you can get a day pass.

When we first arrived in Cody, the season hadn’t started so many businesses had reduced hours. Some restaurants weren’t open for the season yet. This was also true on Hatteras Island, NC where we worked the previous summer of 2022. Things are different in the off-season. It’s when we live more like the locals do and get a real feel for what it’s like to like there year-round.

We’d been to Cody in 2021 and stayed at Trout Ranch RV Park. We knew we wanted to return to Cody, but this time instead of vacationing, we would be living in Cody, downtown, in an RV spot on the hotel property, and we’d be working 32 hours a week. Our first night, we went to the China Town buffet which we’d been to in 2021, and remembered fondly.

Below I will list some of the places where we went and where we ate. I had planned to post in between work during the season once I got a book event out of the way. It will take a long post to tell you what happened and to still share Cody with you.

In 2023 I basically lost my summer and my fall and that is a story in itself.

In June I went to Wild Deadwood Reads to sign and sell my books. I was barely back home in Cody for two weeks when I started to get sick and wasn’t able to go back to work.

What I thought was an ear infection with vertigo, with a lot of dizziness and difficulty keeping food down went into Bels Palsy on July 4th as we watched the parade. The left side of my face drooped, I couldn’t smile or close my left eye, and my hearing went bad. We went from the parade to the ER.

I’d tried three times to get medical help. One urgent care visit and two ER visits in Cody did nothing to help me get better, so after five days of not keeping food down and three not keeping water down, my husband drove me two hours to Billings, Montana to the Billings Clinic. The ER Dr put me on fluids right away and sent me for an MRI which found an inoperable blood clot in my brain and I went straight into ICU. The Billings Clinic in Billings, Montana was wonderful. They saved my life.

I was in the hospital for 18 days and when I came home I still couldn’t read a line of text on my computer let alone write a travel blog. My stories for this travel blog would have to wait.

The blood clot was in the balance section of my brain. When released I was 31 lbs lighter due to being unable to keep anything down. I was wearing an eye patch to protect my eye, which still wouldn’t close, and I was walking, but only with a walker, and could easily fall into a wall.

Today, the blood clot is finally gone, I’m walking with a walker and go to neural PT 2 times a week at UNC Chapel Hill, to work on building new neural pathways in my brain. I can’t drive, so my husband takes me everywhere. I’m hoping to be able to graduate to using two walking poles soon and I now have prism glasses for long distances to help. Today I’m now able to read again. And here I am writing this blog! I may be slow but it is getting done, finally. My plan is to write about places we have been and to share more stories and pictures here.

Back to Cody, WY. My husband finished his job and we rolled out of Cody on Oct 5th and headed east to see family after which I tried seeking medical help for my condition. That’s taken a while. I’m a disabled author now, which had a learning curve, but I stayed positive every day and each day I do my best.

Instead of posting about each experience in Cody individually, as planned, I’ve put our Cody experiences in town into one post. Travels outside of Cody, such as Yellowstone; the ghost town of Kirwin near Meeteetsee to the south; Greybull and Shell to the west; Heart Mountain WWII Center in Powell to the north; and Pahaska TePee – Buffalo Bill’s Original 1904 Lodge to the west of Cody; will be in separate posts to come. We did plenty of traveling around Cody before I got sick and I made sure to get pictures.

Your experience in Cody may vary as things can change from season to season, however, you’ll find links to the Cody businesses we had good experiences with in 2021 and/or 2023.

Where to start?

Cody Trolley Tours: One of my job perks was a free 2-hour trolley tour for seasonal workers to learn about Cody so we could better help our guests. Our tour came with coupons for many businesses. Tourists can ride the trolley and learn about Cody on a one-hour 22-mile tour. It even takes you out to see the dam. https://codytrolleytours.com/ I recommend the trolley and the visitor center at the trolley office to gather info about things in the area to do. I made sure to use the tickets given to us before they expired. We had to use them early in the season to learn about the venues before tourists filled the town. Good thing I did all the things while I was able to!

In 2021 we stayed at the Cody Trout Ranch Camp for two weeks: It’s a quiet RV park on the outskirts of town and we would definitely return.

We visited the award-winning Buffalo Bill Center of the West in 2021 and 2023. With five museums to see in the center: the Buffalo Bill Museum; the Cody Firearms Museum; the Draper Natural History Museum; the Whitney Western Art Museum; and the Plains Indian Museum, even with a two-day pass, seeing everything in just two days is not easy. Returning the second year, we were able to finally see all that we wanted. The Center is a Smithsonian Affiliate. Local tip: For lunch, walk across the street from the center to the hospital and head down to their basement restaurant. The food is good and it’s inexpensive. It’s clean and quiet, a respite if the town is crowded with tourists. https://centerofthewest.org

1890s Old Trail Town next to the rodeo grounds is a fascinating place to visit. You can see Buth Cassidy’s Hole in the Wall Cabin, the Rivers Saloon, and Jeremiah Johnson’s grave. Located at the site Buffalo Bill Cody had chosen for the new town of “Cody City” in 1895, I think this would have made Buffalo Bill very happy. In 1967, archaeologist Bob Edgar started gathering old buildings, which were disappearing because taxes were being levied on all buildings on ranchers’ property. Some chose to tear down the buildings rather than pay the taxes. They keep adding buildings to Old Town, so although we visited in 2021, when we returned in 2023 we saw buildings we hadn’t seen before. With 28 buildings rebuilt and preserved for us to see, and 100 horse-drawn vehicles, it’s like stepping back into an old town in the Wild West. I have a blog post on Old Town which you can read here: Old-town-in-cody-wyoming

Buffalo Bill Dam & Visitor Center This damn was the tallest in the world when it was completed in 1910. Take the trolley ride out to it or drive. The views are stunning. I will write a separate blog post on it later.  https://bbdvc.com/

Historic Cody Mural & Museum is another place to visit and tells the history of settlement in this area. This one is free. http://codymural.com/

The Wild West Spectacular the musical is performed on a small stage in a historical building and is an excellent musical. I enjoyed the show immensely. Get tickets early as this one can sell out. You can drink sasparilla on stage with the performers during intermission. https://www.codywildwestshow.com/

By Western Hands Museum and Gallery is full of beautiful functional art, with unique designs in a Western style. The craftsmanship is stunning.

Queen Bee Honey store is on the second floor of the Wyoming Buffalo Company store and they have the best candy I’ve ever had in my life. The caramel honey candies are my favorite.

Concerts in the Park: we attended free concerts at the bandshell in the park from July to August. The concerts are free, and there are food trucks, so bring your lawn chair, for dinner and a show!

Historic Cody Mural and Museum: This beautiful Mural was painted on the ceiling in 1951.

Cody Night Rodeo: providing 2-hour shows nightly from June to August since 1938. From July 1st to the 4th, is the annual Cody Stampede. Tickets to these shows sell out quickly.

Dining and Entertainment:

The Cody Cattle Company – we went for the Chuckwagon dinner and show by the Triple C Cowboys before the rodeo in 2021 and went again in June 2023 for my birthday dinner. This time, our neighbors, Neil and Sue joined to help me celebrate. I really enjoyed the show even though I’d seen it before. Good music never gets old. You can watch a video on their website for a sample of their music.

Cassie’s Supper Club was originally a brothel started by Cassie Waters and is now a Steak House serving excellent steaks. Often they have entertainment. Check their schedule for who is playing. Our huge steaks with blue cheese butter on top were so delicious. One of the best steaks I’ve ever had. https://www.cassiessteakhousecody.com/

DINING:

The Irma Restaurant and Grill is located in The Irma Hotel built in 1902 – Whether you choose to have a meal here or not, stop in to see the huge cherrywood bar Queen Victoria gifted to Buffalo Bill Cody after seeing his Wild West show. It’s the most beautiful wooden bar I’ve ever seen. My photos here do not do it justice or show how large it is. We ate here in 2021. When we arrived in 2023 we had to return and being the off-season, enjoyed prime rib dinners for 2 for $28.00 before prices went up for the season. It was just as good as we remembered. https://www.irmahotel.com/dining/

8th Street at the Ivy has indoor and restful outdoor seating under an arbor with flowers. Lunch was my first visit and so good we went for dinner another time. https://8thstreetattheivy.com/

The Holiday Inn Mother’s Day Buffet in 2023, was delicious, with a wide selection of food. Contact the front desk https://www.ihg.com/holidayinn/hotels/us/en/cody/codwy/hoteldetail

Inside the Holiday Inn QT’s restaurant serves breakfast buffet and dinner. I ordered the Chicken Caprese sandwich every time with a side. https://www.qtscody.com/

Bubba’s BBQ has a good salad bar and good BBQ. https://bubbasbar-b-que.com/

Michaels Tacos was where we dined most often. They have a punch card and when filled you receive one meal free. I love their enchiladas best but also their tacos and fajitas. The views from the restaurant and the parking lot are beautiful. https://www.facebook.com/michaelstacos/

Annie’s Soda Saloon across from the Irma Hotel was a good spot to have dinner, before or after the Wild Bunch Gunfight in front of the Irma. They have good soups, paninis, and milkshakes. https://anniessodasaloon.net/

In 2021 we ate at Millstone Pizza and Brewery. The pizza was good, but I eat fewer breads now. Granny’s Restaurant we went once. It was usually closed when we went out to eat, and not at the top of our list. Working separate shifts, dining out didn’t happen often and was a once-in-a-while treat. Dining out stopped after I became ill in June.

Local foods to try: a huckleberry ice cream cone, or milkshake, (they’re seasonal and they’ll run out) beef steaks, and buffalo burgers. At The Wyoming Buffalo Company, you’ll find the Queen Bee Honey store in Cody which sells their local honey candies on the second floor. The honey caramel kisses are the best candies I’ve ever had. I have trouble staying out of them.

Ordinarily, I post only good things on my travel blog and save my reviews for the ap on my phone. This is an exception. I cannot recommend Gasthaus Cardi because of our experience. I was hungry for German food so I suggested this place. We arrived at 6 p.m. and ordered an appetizer of pretzel bites and two full meals. 7:00 came and went with no appetizer and no salads. No word on when the food would be ready. We had arrived early to enjoy a meal and then go on to the rodeo which started at 8:00. At 7:00 the manager couldn’t even tell us if the food would be out in time. She comped my husband’s beer, but this wasn’t enough to entice us to return. Being hungry I had a headache by the time we left. We drove through Arby’s and then quickly ate sandwiches in the parking lot at the rodeo before we went in. So much for a good night out.

Living and working in Cody Wyoming was a unique experience for us. if you love the West, you should visit.

Thank you for reading this far. This will be my longest travel blog.

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Our most recent workamping adventure was working as gate guards, guarding oil rigs in Texas for 21 days.

Why would we want to do that? Well, it pays from $175 to $200 a day, and it would also be an adventure.

The Texas Department of Public Safety regulates private security in the State of Texas.  TxDPS has decreed that all Security Guards in Texas must be licensed. So that is your first step in getting a job as a security guard in Texas. Register for the class. The training can cost in the range of $50 to $300. You will have to look into what type of training you need and if there are discounts for veterans. Step two will be to take the test. Step three, make an appointment to be fingerprinted. Step four, wait for the background check before they send your license.

We needed a level II license to work as gate guards for oil rigs and could take the class online. Level II security guards do not carry weapons. You do not need to be employed by a security guard company before you take the training but some companies will help you with it. Ours did. We were encouraged to arrive at their office, park our motorhome in their backyard and stay while we were getting our licenses.

Here we are, parked in their backyard. We arrived and took the test at their office. They set up appointments for us to be fingerprinted. They explained the jobs and we waited for our first gate. We only had to wait one night.

The next day, we followed our supervisor down dusty roads to our first guard gate in Carrizo Springs, Texas. The roads do not show up on our GPS, possibly because these roads are on a ranch, and both of our phones did not work there. They set us up with a large generator to power our coach as well as a large outdoor security light, a tank with water, and a poop tank. We were given an iPad to log in trucks that would come in and out the gate, and paper forms to fill out.

The job is to guard the gate 24/7 so one of us had to be available at all times. I took the night shift and my husband the day shift, as he is a morning person and I am a night owl. The first two days I also worked the day shift three times because my husband had to go into town to get working phones. We had to switch from Verizon to AT&T/Cricket because it’s the only one that works there and they gave us new phones. But finally, we had phones that worked.

To get any kind of supplies, gas was 19 miles away, the grocery was 20 miles away, and the Cricket store was inside the grocery, it was a drive. He’d be gone four hours at least if he had to go to town for anything. I preferred to be the one who stayed while he went to town because if our truck had broken down on one of those remote roads with iffy phone reception, I would have had a problem. So I worked longer on those days. That wasn’t my favorite part of the job. We were a 10 hr drive from the Mexican border, but that’s if you went by car. Walking, as you can see from this map, it’s not far.

Was I scared/worried while we camped there? No, not really, even though I worked nights and it was dark out. The thing about me is, I climb lighthouses because I’m afraid of heights. There was a time I wouldn’t have, but that’s not who I am today.

What did I like about living out there? The wildlife. I loved listening to the birds when the trucks weren’t going past. This little one visited the first week we were there.

We had a roadrunner who visited in the morning. Usually, my husband saw him, but if I was up, he would say the roadrunner is here and I would hurry to try to see him. They’re fast, so I only saw him a couple of times.

They have to be fast because of this guy. It puts me in mind of old Roadrunner and Coyote cartoons from my childhood. I watched this coyote for thirty minutes one night, as he hunted back and forth, across the road. He had a path he would take, where he could slip under the fence.

I wasn’t so fond of the mouse family that decided to take up residence in our RV. My husband bought traps in town and that first night all four traps snapped up a mouse. The only plus I could think of was that with all those mice around, we were less likely to have a snake under the RV. (My first week, about every other truck that came through had a driver who warned me about snakes. I was already watching for them, all the time. I wouldn’t be much of a guard if I wasn’t situationally aware.) Thankfully, I did not see even one snake anywhere during our time there.

My husband saw these buffalo one day, just over the top of the hill where our RV was parked. Our gate guarded the ranch, so the animals, and the ranch house. We didn’t have the big traffic of other gates.

One day we saw a couple horses on top of the hill. But none of the ranch animals ever came over the top toward the gate.

Watching the sunset is one of my favorite things and it can be beautiful out there.

I didn’t catch any sunrises because I’d usually be asleep by 4 a.m. It took a bit to get used to, at first, but by the second week I was sleeping til noon, and once in a while, beyond.

Were the stars clear out there, giving me beautiful views every night? No. The only time I could see stars was when the security light was turned off. It’s much too bright for the stars. I did see them one night before I turned the light on, and they were beautiful. But walking out there with a flashlight wasn’t my idea of fun, because, there might be a snake. So that only happened once, and I didn’t spend much time looking up, even that night.

Internet was a no-go unless you used your hot spot. I might be able to check my email on a good day. Luckily my assistant could help me with messages and tasks. All my online interviews and panels had to be canceled.

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Did I get a lot of writing done? Not as much as I thought I would. On a night when I only had five trucks come through, I was able to write. On a night when 59 trucks came through, not at all. With that kind of volume, I was lucky to have time to make a sandwich and take a bite every time I got to come back inside. It took me an hour and a half to finish my “dinner” one night, and that was a peanut butter sandwich. There was no way I was taking anything outside with me to eat, because of the dirt and dust that blew around. Big trucks stir that up, a lot. I quickly learned to wear a bandana like the old-time cowboys.

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Five little steps on a motorhome can be like a stair master machine at the gym, if you go up and down them enough times. You will really feel it in the back of your legs.

One night there was a big storm with 60 mph winds that blew the dirt/dust all over. You could see it blowing down the road. It shook the motorhome because we had the sliders out. That was the only night I woke my husband. We put the sliders in after I had watched out the window as our chairs blew over and the wind tumbled one chair about. The other was wooden, but it knocked that one down too. Not one truck came through that night, and my phone screen had frozen on a weather report which said the DFW area (Dallas Fort Worth) had spotted a tornado. So, I needed his phone to watch the doppler. The quiet of no trucks, even on the main road was eerie. We closed up the RV and rode it out.

On the plus side, that’s one more thing I can write about. On the minus, it was scary (the only time I was scared there) and I was praying we didn’t get a tornado. Then there was the dirt, which had blown everywhere, showing me where every crevice on the motorhome was, whether inside or out. After we left the gate guard jobs, we were going to have to clean everything.

Then we were moved to our second guard gate, in Three Rivers, Texas. This gate had grass, and much less dirt to blow around. There would be fewer trucks, and it would only last five days because they were closing down this oil rig.

There was a cattle guard, and we were closer to the gate. It was still an hour to town for groceries and the Cricket store. If you’re going to take on a gate guard job, you need to be well-stocked for anything you might need. This is true of living anywhere away from towns.

The gate in Three Rivers was a relaxing gate, and I enjoyed staying there.

After the gate closed, we moved on to the Corpus Christie, Texas area. That will be a travel blog post for another day.

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Links to my travel posts are listed here by state.

Alabama

Alaska: not traveled yet

Arizona

Arkansas

California:

Cresent City: Battery Point Lighthouse https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2085

Cresent City https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/1989

Marysville https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2248

Yuba City https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2043

Colorado

Connecticut

Delaware

Florida:

Georgia:

Tybee Island Lighthouse https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2967

Hawaii: not traveled yet

Idaho:

Konkolville https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/1913

Orofino https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2053.

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Kentucky

Louisiana

Maine

Maryland

Massachusetts

Michigan

Minnesota

Mississippi

Missouri

Montana:

Cameron https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2115.

Missoula https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2121.

Nebraska

Nevada:

Casa Grande National Monument https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2943

New Hampshire

New Jersey

New Mexico

New York

North Carolina:

North Dakota

Ohio

Oregon

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

South Carolina

South Dakota:

Custer State Park https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/3074

Deadwood:

Deadwood Brothel Tour https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2144

Keystone Mount Rushmore https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2140.

Sioux Falls Park https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2867

Sioux Falls https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2146.

Tennessee

Texas

Utah

Coral Pink Sand Dunes State Park https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2918

Vermont

Virginia

Washington

Clarkson https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2048

Goldendale https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2110.

Maryhill https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2684.

West Virginia

Wisconson

Wyoming

If no posts are listed in a state, that means we either haven’t visited yet, or I haven’t written the blog post yet.

Welcome to the City of Weed, California. August 6th, 2021

You might think of marijuana when you hear this city mentioned. Likely most do. While we were there, I didn’t smell it or see anyone smoking it. I did see plenty of t-shirts and other items which said, “I love Weed.” Then there are these signs on the right side of the picture below for “the Weed Store.” I’m not sure what they sold inside because I didn’t go inside that one.

By now, you are probably wondering, as I was, why is the city called Weed?

“The City of Weed gets its name from the founder of the local lumber mill and pioneer Abner Weed. Abner discovered that the area’s strong winds were helpful in drying lumber. In 1897 Abner Weed bought the Siskiyou Lumber and Mercantile Mill and 280 acres of land, in what is now the City of Weed, for the sum of $400. The town was incorporated in 1961.

In 1971 the town’s Mayor, Frank Rizzo, proposed changing the name to “Shastina.” This stirred up a hornet’s nest of opposition and discussion regarding the future of the town. It drew national attention in the press shining a spotlight on this peculiarly named community. Ultimately the proposal was defeated and the town has since embraced its unique and occasionally controversial name.” – from the Hi-Lo Press, volume 29, which you can pick up at the Hi-Lo Cafe.

I got these answers when we went to eat dinner at the Hi-Lo Cafe.

The Hi-Lo Motel, Cafe, and RV Park in Weed, CA have been popular destinations for travelers since 1951.

Behind the Hi-Lo Cafe, Mount Shasta looms 14,179 feet tall. It has a habit of creating odd cloud formations called “lenticulars” which wrap themselves around the mountain in a variety of shapes. Some say these shapes hide spaceships that come to refuel from the vortex of the mountain. Scientists say something different.

The clouds are formed when wind forces air above its stable temperature level around the rugged terrain of the mountain. When the air rises, it gets colder and condensation occurs, forming the base of the cloud. Once the air rises beyond the top of the mountain, it descends again, creating a vacuum. The up-and-down effect past the dewpoint and then back again is what creates the ripples forming the lenticular shape.

I didn’t see any clouds around the mountain while we were there. We had a smaller mountain directly behind the motel.

This is a picture of my husband maneuvering our 43-foot motorhome out of the “RV Park” which was more of a park your RV in the motel parking lot kind of setup. It was a bit snug for our motorhome, so I parked the truck in one of the motel room spots with their permission while he carefully worked our motorhome into a space. Fortunately, my hubby is a good driver and can back it in just about anywhere.

We had a barking dog next to us, and we were all very close together. I worried the neighbor’s dog would keep us up and was hoping I wouldn’t have to get my headphones out to sleep in. But by eleven p.m. his owner had put him inside and thankfully the barking had stopped. We only stayed one night, on the way through to our next stop, at Sicilia Vineyards in Yuba City, CA, which would be our first time trying the Harvest Host program. You’ll find that link below.

Mount Shasta can be felt even when it can’t be seen. It’s a feeling difficult to explain or put into words or photos.

My best photos were taken on our way into the city. The others just didn’t turn out because there was so much smoke in the air, from the wildfires. But the day that we arrived the skies were clear.

Just before we got to Weed, taking S. Weed Blvd. Mount Shasta to the left.

Our stop the next day would be at the Sicilia Vineyards in Yuba City, CA, our first time trying the Harvest Host program. Here is the blog post for that visit. https://wordpress.com/post/beautifuldaytraveler.wordpress.com/2043

Did you enjoy this travel post? If so I’d love to hear about it. Leave a comment or send me an email. And don’t forget to subscribe so you don’t miss out on any new posts.

Here on my travel blog, you will find many travel posts from 2021 on our 109 – day trip west, from Ohio to the California coast and the redwoods, and back to Memphis, TN.

Currently, I am writing a book about 2021, our first year on the road, and how we sold and closed everything in Memphis to move into a motorhome full-time and see the U.S.

In 2022, we worked at Camp Hatteras for the summer season and lived on Hatteras Island in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. You will also find travel posts from our summer there on this blog.

Posts are in the order I write them, so look around. Variety can be a good thing.

I’ve also started a list of our travels, one for each year, for those who want to see the route, and will be updating those lists soon to post.

And my YouTube Channel will have updated videos from our travels as soon as I can get to them. Right now it is just raw footage of videos taken.

Currently, we are wintering in KY while our motorhome is getting repaired. We’ve been here since September and yes, that is a long time. Waiting on parts and on State Farm and on the repair guys. I’ll be glad to be living in our home once again after the repairs are done and traveling down the road somewhere to a warmer place.

Check out my links below!

Follow Debra’s Beautiful Day YouTube Channel: youtube.com/channel/UC27hTWse4gLJxTETQw6i7xw/

For more about Debra and her books:

Website: debraparmley.com

Newsletter sign-up:  https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/w9s9h0

FB page facebook.com/debra.parmley.7

FB fan group Beautiful Day Dreamers: facebook.com/groups/debraparmley/

FB fan page: facebook.com/authordebraparmley/

To Catch An Elf FB group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/793115644206381/

Instagram: instagram.com/debraparmley

Pinterest: pinterest.com/debraparmley/

Goodreads: goodreads.com/debraparmley

Book Bub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/debra-parmley

Poems on K0-Fi: ko-fi.com/debraparmley

Articles on Medium: medium.com/@debraparmley1

Writing Classes on Teachable: beautiful-day-dreamers.teachable.com/

Cover Model Corner blog: https://covermodelcorner.wordpress.com/

Debra’s old radio show Book Lights: http://bit.ly/BookLights

Debra’s books on Amazon: https://amzn.to/2EsbWsa