On Sunday, December 1, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson headed to Dubois, Wyoming for their Dubois Cowboy Christmas event. The evening included a parade and lighting ceremony, as well as a friendly competition amongst Dubois Chamber of Commerce members to see who could decorate the best plywood Christmas tree cut-out in true western fashion. These trees will be displayed through January 2. The weather was incredible, and hot chocolate with all the fixings (and the smiles that accompanied them) made the evening cozy.

In this podcast, we chat with the chamber’s Executive Director, Suzanne Osegueda and well as Mr. and Mrs. Claus. Locals, visitors and the Mayor explored the downtown area and its restaurants and shops, as many stayed open late to participate in the festivities.

The Wind River Visitors Council wishes you and yours a very happy holiday season. See you in 2025! For more information on events and adventures in Wyoming’s Wind River Country, visit windriver.org.

This special Thanksgiving podcast dives into the wonderful world of local food in Wyoming’s Wind River Country. Charene Herrera visits Lander to chat food with the Meadowlark Market & Kitchen team, Annelise Wright (Market Manager), Joanne Slingerland (Member Education and Outreach Coordinator) and Bridget Pokorny (Meadowlark Kitchen Intern).

In Riverton, Charene visits Fremont Local Market to catch up with Jack Schmidt, who shares his knowledge about the Wyoming Food Freedom Act. He discusses how this legislation enables markets like Fremont Local Market and Meadowlark Market & Kitchen to thrive.

Of course, a podcast on local food wouldn’t be complete without some tasty sourdough bread, and local breadmaker, Alma Law, talks about ancient sourdough-making techniques while sharing insights on the art of traditional sourdough.

The Wind River Visitors Council wishes you and yours a happy Thanksgiving and a wonderful holiday season!

“Do you believe in ghosts?” is the question that was asked at the beginning of a tour of the haunted history of Riverton with local educator, historian and collector of ghost stories, Alma Law.

Alma greeted us in the Riverton Museum holding a doll named Amelia, and while Amelia’s mysterious history points to a potential haunting, there was something quite captivating and beautiful about her.

After taking a deep dive into the history of the Riverton Museum, we traveled to the Masonic Temple, where Ken Watts joined us and added his insights and stories to the haunted history narrative of the Temple. Then we made our way to the old jail to meet with Bart Ringer, who worked as a sergeant at the jail for many years. Bart and Alma talked about the jail’s spooky past and the role that it served in the community.

Grab a warm beverage, a cozy blanket and your favorite mysterious doll, and listen along as Alma tells stories of people from long ago, an orange tabby cat and a mysterious jogger. And then you can decide, “do you believe in ghosts?”

For more information about Alma Law’s haunted downtown walking tours, contact Alma directly at (307) 240-9403. Tours are available year-round.

On Tuesday, September 10, Charene Herrera, Michael Morris and Helen Wilson headed underground into the Boulder Choke Cave with Skylar Sargent and Ella Sokolowski of Sinks Canyon State Park.

The ⅛ mile long cave system, which ranges from 20 to 100 feet deep, was discovered in the 1990s by a Sinks Canyon State Park staff member. It is a series of limestone caverns that flood and drain every year with the spring melt. The entrance is hidden in a nondescript pile of boulders, and it requires both flexibility and bravery to squeeze through the 16” x 16” opening. Once adventurers are through the initial squeeze, they must crawl through a 20 foot tunnel before the cave system opens up to a room large enough to hold a group of 10 people comfortably. The largest room is over 80 feet wide, and includes a view of the Popo Agie River, as it flows underground.

In addition to exploring the various rooms, Charene, Michael and Helen also had the opportunity to see fish living in the underground pools. These fish live with a complete absence of light and have therefore lost their pigment, so they appear white.

Cave tours are available from mid-August to mid-April. The tour includes all caving gear, protective clothing, safety equipment and a trained cave guide. Participants learn about the geology of the cave system, unique microbial life forms called snottites and what it’s like to experience an absolute absence of light.

Listen along as Charene, Michael and Helen explore the Boulder Choke Cave. For more information on cave tours, visit https://www.facebook.com/SinksCanyonStatePark/.

On Saturday, Aug. 10, the Riverton Museum hosted a Jeffrey City Adventure Trek as part of the Wind River Visitors Council’s Adventure Trek Series. Trip Leader, Zach Larson, who completed his thesis on uranium and the uranium mines in Wyoming, guided the tour.

Jeffrey City was originally called "Home on the Range," and during the trek the group visited the original homestead, where they met the current owner, Bob Adams. Jeffrey City was once Fremont County’s third largest town—a bustling mining town complete with restaurants, a bowling alley, a movie theater and a swimming pool. The town saw an explosive growth beginning in the late 1950s and had an ultimate decline in the early 1980s. The town is now home to a few dozen residents, and a welcome stopover for cross-country cyclists.

The Wyoming Jade Festival was taking place during the trek, which brought an unusual number of people to Jeffrey City, a contrast to its typical desolation. The group explored old lots that once housed hundreds of homes, most of which are now long gone. The remnants of Jeffrey City's once-vibrant community were starkly evident.

The group discovered a charming bike hostel and took shelter there as the heavy rain began to pour. This hostel is a reminder of the area's lingering hospitality, despite its ghost town status. Tune in to step back in time to a once vibrant Jeffrey City.

For more detailed information on Jeffrey City’s history and the uranium boom, visit Exploring Rural.

On Saturday, May 25, Sinks Canyon State Park and the Wind River Visitors Council hosted a community celebration to recognize Sinks Canyon State Park’s recent designation as an International Dark Sky Park, which is the first designation of its kind in Wyoming.

In this podcast, Jessica Moore, Superintendent of Sinks Canyon State Park, talks about why dark skies are important and how this designation was achieved. Kendall Jacobs, a mathematics instructor at the Casper College School of Science, and Dr. Andrew Young, a physics instructor, also at the Casper College School of Science, led a constellation tour, shared some historical perspectives and talked about a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to see a Nova explosion, which is visible in Wyoming until the end of September.

Additional dark sky events are in the works, including an event on August 12 from 9:30 to 11:30 p.m. with astronomer Allen Corey and Sinks Canyon State Park staff. For more information, call (307) 332-3077.

Love what you hear? Subscribe to our podcast and dive deeper into the beauty of Wind River Country. Discover more at windriver.org.

On June 14 and 15, crowds gathered in Hudson, Wyoming for the 11th Annual Hudson Daze. In this month’s lively podcast, Charene Herrera explores small town USA with Mayor Sherry Oler, who provides a warm welcome before sharing her insights on the significance of Hudson Daze, the Town’s dedication to preserving its rich heritage and the importance of unity among its residents.

Next, Charene chats with Shawn Carmack, a local car enthusiast whose expertise and passion for classic cars added a unique flavor to the event. We viewed vintage and new cars, and even had a couple rev up for us!

Our podcast concluded with a delightful conversation with Maralyne Middour, who was working the gun show and greeting locals with her characteristic warmth and charm. Maralyne's dedication to the event and her joy in connecting with attendees highlighted the personal connections that are at the heart of Hudson Daze.

Other Hudson Daze activities included a Flag Day Ceremony, a pancake breakfast, cornhole, live music, craft vendors, food and prizes.

Whether you're a local resident or planning a vacation to Wyoming, be sure to check out events like Hudson Daze that showcase the heart and heritage of our community. Visit the Wind River Visitors Council website for a full calendar of events and discover all the exciting activities and locations that make this region special.

Stay connected with us on our website and follow us on Facebook and Instagram for updates and more.

Welcome to the premiere episode of "Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor," brought to you by the Wind River Visitors Council. Join your hosts, Charene The Adventure Queen and Helen Wilson, along with special guests Jackie Dorothy, a historian, and Kevin Scannell from the Riverton Museum. The Wind River Visitors Council partnered with the Riverton Museum, Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center and Hot Springs County Travel & Tourism Board to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Yellowstone Highway as part of National Travel and Tourism Week.

To celebrate the anniversary, the Riverton Museum hosted historian Jackie Dorothy for this Wind River Visitors Council Adventure Trek Series program. The day included interesting commentary about the Shoshoni jail, three tunnels and the Wind River Canyon Scenic Byway (including how both the highway and the river got their names).

Upon arriving in Thermopolis, the group visited the Hot Springs County Museum & Cultural Center, where they heard captivating stories of geology, saw historical displays and even heard a ghost story or two. Following a dive into history and culture, the group immersed themselves in the mineral waters of the Hot Springs State Park Bath House and then ended the day downtown in the One Eyed Buffalo Brewing Company.

After a full day of activities, the group relaxed during the bus ride back to the Riverton Museum. Take a listen! Discover the stories and significance of what was once America's most expensive section of road.

Subscribe to stay updated with Wyoming's Wind River Country! Visit us online at windriver.org, follow us on Facebook at Wyoming's Wind River Country, and on Instagram @WyomingsWindRiverCountry