New Frontier RV Park, Winnemucca, NV

New Frontier RV Park located Winnemucca, NV is one of several campgrounds in this area. My perception is that Winnemucca is not as much a vacation spot (there are numerous casinos in the area) as it is a stopover for transients traveling the I80 corridor. In addition to rv parking there is a presence of park models totaling about 25. This is your basic campground; the main building houses the office, the store with rv products and minimal grocery provisions; a social room for gathering; a laundry room and bathrooms/showers. And there is a dog park. The park itself sits on level ground with a slight slope; accordingly the level asphalt sites do cant slightly from left to right so some leveling is necessary. The pads are long, approx. 70’ and narrow (there is no patio per se) approx. 10’. The grounds are populated with trees affording some shade and the campground is all gravel between sites with good spacing between sites, but not overly generous. A picnic table is provided. Both laundry and bathroom/shower rooms are generously sized; they are clean and utilitarian. The FHU is standard and the 50 amp service was stable allowing to consistently draw 60 amps. WiFi was acceptable for retrieving email; it did support streaming music and movies with buffering using our Winegard ConnecT  with signal of 61% and -53dBM. The WiFi broadband had problems as at times there was no or slow response so not sure what the issue is; appears to be a latency problem (speed test: 1.4 Mbps download, 0.9 Mbps upload). Using our Winegard Rayzor Automatic enabled us to pull in the local tv channels in HD on our OTA. Cell phone service was 5G with three bars.

The Takeaway: A basic campground with wide streets, numerous trees throughout providing some shade with long pull thru sites that are mostly level. Sites include a picnic table and gravel area; there is a  dog park. The bath/shower and laundry rooms are huge, clean and functional. WiFi internet is marginal for streaming, which is better than what is provided in the campground market today. Located on the I80 corridor this, like the other numerous rv parks in the area, is a stop-over with daily transients. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park,etc.

Unicorns-Fact or Fiction?

Believe in Unicorns? Well, I always considered it part of my childhood escape from reality; existing in books and cartoons. This creature is ascribed as a legendary creature. And the Unicorn is depicted throughout the ages by the ancient Greeks, the Indus, and even in the Bible. So when we came across this ‘unicorn’ the inquiry begged believability. However, King’s Saddlery  assured us this is an authentic skull. You decide. This is part of the iconic Don King Museum located across the alley behind King’s Saddlery; do not pass up this opportunity to see artifacts of the Old West. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of rv parks as well as reviews of restaurants, etc...

Yellowstone Valley Inn & RV Park, Cody, WY

Yellowstone Valley Inn & RV Park is located along Hwy 14, 15 miles west of Cody, WY. This rv park is a good location for a jump-off to the East Yellowstone Entrance (33 miles away) and also to the town of Cody. East Yellowstone is a different topographical experience. There are a few hot springs; however the topography is rolling grass plains surrounded by 10,000’+ mountains. Accordingly the grassland provides for excellent viewing of wildlife; whereas the mountains offer challenges to hikers. Cody is somewhat of a tourist spot; however there are some excellent venues. Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede is real rodeo action. And Buffalo Bill Center of the West is a collection of museum and stores providing historical perspective of 19^th century Western development.

Yellowstone Valley Inn sits high on a bluff overlooking the North Branch Shoshone River. A decidedly well designed Buffalo Bill State Park-Lake Shore Campground affords beautiful views of Buffalo Bill Reservoir and can accommodate rv’s of all sizes. And all along Hwy 14, which parallels the northern shore of the reservoir, are dirt access roads down to the shoreline. On a particularly warm afternoon we drove down such an access road and enjoyed a beach day on a pebble-covered shoreline with a picnic lunch. The water is cold and we only ventured up to our ankles.

The rv park itself is part of an extensive resort with swimming pool (the pool was under repair our entire stay), hot tub housed in a standalone building, restaurant, a nice exercise room, cabins surrounding a lush green landscaped lawn with a community fir pit and chairs. There is also lodging in the main building. The rv park itself is one vast gravel yard and as previously mentioned backs up to the North Fork Shoshone River with green space and chairs to take in the vista on the bluff overlooking the River. We are not enthusiasts of those rv parks with dirt/gravel not offset by green space sites. That being said the area is organized nicely with a modicum of space between campers.  The bath house is contemporary and clean. Good FHU with stable 50 amp service, and gravel area is level accommodating our 45 foot length. Our OTA (over-the-air tv antenna) did not pick up any channels. The advertised WiFi  was non-existent and disappointing as we stream movies, etc. We even could not access our email the broadband was so poor. In the 21st century there should not be such pitiable technological service.

The Takeaway: a resort 15 miles West of Cody and 33 miles East of East Yellowstone Entrance offering lodging, community fire pit in beautifully landscaped area with lush grass, a nicely provisioned exercise building, and restaurant. The rv park itself is one immense gravel yard, however the sites are level and there is space between sites which all have FHU. The advertised WiFi is not functional; the broadband was so poor we could not even run a speed test. This campground offers a country experience overlooking the North Fork Shoshone River as an alternative to parks located in the heavily tourist population of Cody. Go to www.rickpicks.com for more pictures, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of this park as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.

Elk Creek Ranch, Island Park, ID

Elk Creek Ranch, Island Park, ID is noted as part of the Henry’s for Anglers collection of iconic fishing lodges in Idaho. We discovered, quite by chance, three years ago this beautifully rustic lodge and cabins sitting on the bucolic Crow Creek where it meets  Henry’s Fork River. The setting is memorizing, the fishing as explained to us, spectacular. The lodge, cabins and grounds are well maintained exuding the original 19th century charm and warmth that only hand-hewn beams and craftsmanship can provide. However that is not the focus of this article. We appreciate this place for its scenery, and seclusion combined with a comfortable fine dining experience. We again were visiting West Yellowstone and made reservations for diner Wednesday evening (the restaurant offers a different weeknight menu and seating is limited). Although a drive from West Yellowstone (approx. 40 miles) it is worth the travel to experience the nostalgic surroundings and excellent food. Wednesday is prime rib night and not disappointed each was served a large slab of prime rib with au jus, mashed potatoes with gravy and steamed broccoli. The prime rib was tender and juicy, the mashed potatoes excellent with just a hint of being burnished in the oven, with gravy that was mild and not salty. The steamed broccoli was slightly steamed to retain its firmness and taste dribbled with butter. We were not rushed; service was prompt and not overreaching. Afterward we sat on the covered back deck facing Crow Creek on comfortable cushioned chairs entertained by the evening thunderstorm.

The Takeaway: Although noted as a renowned fishing lodge (Mike Lawson assisted Andre Puyans with his famous fly fishing schools for almost 30 years here) our interest is in the great dining experience in the ambiance of a 19^th century fishing lodge secluded in a well groomed rural setting on Crow Creek. Each weeknight offers a different fixed menu expertly prepared by resident chef; the food is superb. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of rv parks as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.

Skyline Drive, Canon City, CO

Skyline Drive is not to be missed when visiting Canon City, CO for any of the areas many attractions (Royal Gorge Railway (see my essay on Royal Gorge Railway), the Royal Gorge Bridge and Park, Museumof Colorado Prisons, Historic Downtown as well as camping and hiking opportunities, and massive dinosaur fossil finds). This touring road rides on the spine of a ridge which rises 800 feet overlooking Canon City, CO with views of the Arkansas River Valley, Canon City below with hogback hills in the distance, and to the south the distant Front Range. This is a one lane-one way road starting from a turnoff on Rte 50, with turnouts for viewing. The road, without guardrails, undulates as it runs across the razor thin top of this ridge. There is also a 1 hike, there and back trail, to an even higher elevation. There are also dinosaur prints along the ridge. This a wonderful drive especially at dusk. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of rv parks as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.

Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Park, Cody, WY

Buffalo Bill Cody Stampede Park, Cody, WY is the premier rodeo show. During the summer season the rodeo takes place every evening. The foremost rodeo is the annual Cody Stampede, ongoing since 1919 featuring the best cowboys and cowgirls competing for over $400,000 in prize money sanctioned by the PRCA. This pictorial is about the Cody Night Rodeo, the longest running rodeo since its first beginnings in 1938. There is no doubt that rodeo is one of the toughest sports. Hockey and football pale in comparison to the punishment endured by cowboys and bull riders. By comparison these cowboy’s and cowgirl’s opponents are 700 pound bucking broncos and 1500 pound mean bulls. As these pictures depict it takes strength, a certain indifference to pain, and athletic skill to rope, and ride. Great athletes providing a not to be missed entertaining evening. For 150 action packed pictures please follow this link to my Google Photos. Go to  www.rickpicks.com for more photographs, other reviews, critiques and essays with links to area attractions and a more detailed review of rv parks as well as reviews of restaurants, etc.