For those who read yesterday's blog, I do apologize for the missing photos of the words of the Dalai Lama. Unfortunately, we have been having terrible troubles with our server for the past 2 days, so as a result, the missing files were just discovered by Robert a short while ago. The original pictures have now been trashed so I can't send them up again, and I am not home to get the text from the books I have. So it's all in the past now, on with the show....

Today I would like to tell you about this guy named Henry from Cody (his name is changed to protect his anonymity). Cody, Wyoming is a small town near the East entrance of Yellowstone National Park. The town was founded in 1896 by Col. William F. “Buffalo Bill” Cody. It looks like a typical small western US town, with those flat front buildings that often characterize them. It is a charming place, remote as it is, with a surprising amount of decent dining.

One place we stumbled into accidently turned out to be a very special experience for us. That place is called Irma's, and you can see more about them at their web site, http://www.irmahotel.com/ . Robert and I enjoy eating at local establishments, and especially like talking with locals. Through them, we are capturing a more personal view of the areas we visit. Irma's had a Sunday AM brunch that we thoroughly enjoyed. Several large tables were filled with delectable meats(including prime rib) and entrees, salads, soups and home made desserts. All you can eat for $10.95.

So we ate and marveled at the fabulous decor and struck up a conversation with a local we'll call Henry. He is an older gentleman. It would be hard to tell his age because he has lived a rugged life on the range, and it shows. The man was full of stories and opinions and shared them readily. He could not have been more genuine and fascinating. He is plain talking, blunt even, and has a broad knowledge of Cody history, culture and life.

Since the restaurant, as well as pretty much every other restaurant we saw up there, was covered with mounted heads of deer, antelope, elk, bobcats and even a Spanish goat. Although, I personally find animal trophy mounting appalling, it is the culture there, and there are many animals up there to be hunted. So he filled us in on life on the range, and the wildlife of the area. We told him that we had been dissappointed that we had not seen moose at all on our trips and asked if about it.

Well, he explains, in his slow western twang, a number of years ago, wolves were introduced by man into the area. I don't recall what the intended reason for it was. Unfortunately, the wolves had been eating the moose and the moose were pretty much losing the battle. Thinking about the wolves out there preying on....prey, I said to him, I guess that you don't have an issue up here with stray dogs and cats.

No, he replies simply, no leftovers.

What a character he was and how grateful are we for being able to hear his tales! Believe me, their are far more fascinating people in this world than are portrayed on Barbara Walter's list of the 10 most fascinating people. Most of them are not rich or famous. But they truly are our #1 US resource.
Take the time to get to know some locals when you travel. The most fascinating person you have ever met may just be serving you a cup of coffee!!

All Good Thoughts
featuring Reader Contributions

My dear friend, Bobbie, who passed away last summer had sent this to me several years ago. She had a wonderful sense of humor and a great laugh that I remember well when I read this piece...

"Andy Rooney-isms"

If you have a lot of tension and you get a headache,
do what it says on the aspirin bottle: Take two and keep away
from children.

It's a very strange name they picked for "Social
Security." For what they actually send you, you can't afford to be
"social" nor can you really feel "secure."

Short skirts have a tendency to make men polite.
Have you ever seen a man get on a bus ahead of one?

It is hard to understand how a cemetery raised its
burial cost and blamed it on the cost of living.

We are born naked, wet, and hungry. Then things get worse.

The 50-50-90 rule: Anytime you have a 50-50 chance
of getting something right, there's a 90% probability you'll
get it wrong.

It is said that if you line up all the cars in the
world end to end, someone would be stupid enough
to try and pass them.

If the shoe fits, get another one just like it.

The things that come to those who wait may be the
things left by those who got there first.

Give a man a fish, and he will eat for a day. Teach
a man to fish, and he will sit in a boat drinking beer all day.

When you're swimming in the creek and an eel bites
your cheek, that's a moray!

A fine is a tax for doing wrong.
A tax is a fine for doing well.

The only cure for insomnia is to get more sleep.

Everybody lies, but it doesn't matter since nobody listens.

I wished the buck stopped here. I could use a few.

When you go into court you are putting yourself in
the hands of 12 people that weren't smart enough
to get out of jury duty