Yellowstone National Park Archives - A Country Girl's Heart -Beats that Matter

June 3, 2019June 3, 2019

Down Home Discount

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Past blog posts have taken a look at different farmer’s markets I have attended. In this post I am excited to share a story about a little different place to find farmer market items. When I am in the Cody and Powell, Wyoming area, I always stop by to shop for great deals on foods and other items from Down Home Discount.

Down Home Discount in Powell, Wyoming offers a unique service to both local farmers and area consumers. Staying within the local and state laws they provide a venue for goods to be available from producers in the surrounding area. Keep reading to learn exactly what locally produced food you will find.

What: Down Home Discount
Where: 410 South Clarke Street
       Powell, Wyoming
When: Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm
      Saturday 8 am – 4:30 pm

This store opened in August of 2017 as a place to purchase name brand products at a reduced price. While some products are out dated or dented, most of their merchandise is with in a use by date and with no damage at all. Use this link to read about purchasing items that are damaged or past the date. Since their purchase price is a fraction of what other stores in the area pay, they are able to pass these savings on to their customers. Owned by a local family with 4 children, they understand the struggles of making ends meet and are excited to offer a lower priced option to the public. A fun part of shopping here is the excitement of discovering what great deals are available each week. Along with groceries DHD also offers a variety of household wares, clothing, and personal hygiene items at a fraction of prices at other locations.

I enjoyed sharing in the opening of Down Home Discount located at 410 South Clark St. This store owned by the Ruckerts was about 3 to 4 years in the making. After many conversations, meetings and plans it felt like a dream come true to finally have their store open. As with most new business ventures, there were and are details to be figured out.

Meet the Owners

Both Brad and April grew up in the Midwest on a dirt road, but not the same one. Brad on a dairy and crop farm and April in a 5-acre woods that included many different animals including horses and goats. Now longtime residents of the Cody/Powell area, they have settled here to raise their own family of 4. Often, on the trips back home they found enjoyment and value in the many discounted stores thriving in their hometown and surrounding area. It was here the dream began to bring this shopping option to their neck of the woods in Wyoming. I admire the fact that it was at least 4 years in the making. The many steps and meetings as the researched this dream. Tenacity is a character trait they both carry, although they may or may not realize its presence.

I was scheduled to be on hand for the grand opening. However, a death in the family, left me with a decision to make and I choose to stay home for the funeral. I enjoyed helping in the store when I did arrive in the first few weeks it opened

Local Farmer’s Contributions

The Ruckert’s understand the importance of supporting local business and the health value of local produce and other foods. Happily, Down Home Discount has made space in the store for local vendors to display their wares. Along with finding great deals on groceries and other products you will find some of the same buying options as if you were attending a local farmer’s market. Keep in mind these items are going to support local families and may not be discounted, but their value comes in the form of health and homemade/produced goods.

Local Baked goods

Local Dairy Products

Farm Fresh ice cream is one of the items available at the Powell store.

Mexican Cuisine

Local crafted Tamale after being purchased and then cooked at home.

Eggs are available. Look for other locally produced foods to be available when you visit Down Home Discount.

A New Location

New in 2019, Down Home Discount and it’s owners opened a new location in Cody, Wyoming about a 30 minute drive from Powell. This location is also a little less than an hour from the east entrance of Yellowstone National Park making it a great place to stock up on supplies for your trip into the park.

What: Down Home Discount
Where: 2621 Big Horn Avenue
       Cody, Wyoming
When: Tuesday – Friday 9 am – 6 pm 
      Saturday 9 am – 5 pm

This new location offers a different buying option. A percentage of merchandise can be purchased in bulk at an additional discount, on top of already low prices. For example, 12 cans of baked beans for the price of 11 when prices are already lower. Get together with your friends when shopping Down Home Discount in Cody and save even more. This new location brings a larger selection in clothing, shoes, health and beauty, and

Facts to remember:

Both stores do not always carry the same merchandise from week to week. It can be like opening a present and you find your self surprised with new items on a regular basis when shopping at Down Home Discount. Stay informed of the weekly deals and new products on Facebook: Down Home Discount on FB.

Attentions local farmers and producers:

Are you a local farmer and produce local food in the Cody, Wyoming or Powell area? Be sure to contact Down Home Discount to speak with them about offering your local produce in their store.

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April 29, 2019May 22, 2019

Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch

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There are days my mind wonders to past days. As winter fades and the beauty of spring appears, amidst rainy days, I find myself craving a road trip. I might even be planning one depending on the year. Either way, along with my desire to travel my mind drifts to past trips and memories. I have been to a few areas enough that they are beginning to feel like my second home.

Nestled back on a mountainside only 3 miles from the east entrance of the Yellowstone National Park, Shoshone Guest Lodge welcomes anyone wanting to feel close to the rugged terraine and wildlife. One of my nieces who at the time did not own a horse, informed over the phone that when I came to visit we were going to go on a trail ride at this lodge. This was how I came to visit the lodge one Sunday afternoon in August of 2017.

The main building provided meals to guests and anyone else who made reservations. My favorite part was the porch. Several chairs gave a beautiful view of neighboring mountains and if you sat in the right spot you did not even see the road, only the campfire pit across the way and cabins that can be rented.

Always one to explore I soon went found my self inside checking out the interior. The dinning area and reception desk sat a level lower than the entertainment room.

Speaking of entertainment, my eye caught sight of a guitar and what was that? A fiddle! I had not been playing mine much for reasons I do not recall. I wonder if I would be allowed to play it? I was terribly rusty, but how fun would it be to play a fiddle on the porch of this log lodge in the mountains of Wyoming? Turns out my sister knew the lodge owners and the fiddle belonged to her.

After shooting a few pictures on the porch, we were informed it was time to ride. Read all about the ride we took in the blog post dedicated to that experience titled: A Guided Trail Ride.

Returning from the grand adventure, my niece had fulfilled her dream, I carried the beauty of my first mountain ride, and even my Dad seemed happy with the experience. On a mission now to meet the wife of our trail guide, I found her at the reception desk. I learned we shared a common like for music, specifically fiddle playing, and writing, specifically blogging. Instantly we found conversation abounded. My sister shared the beauty of mother hood with our new acquaintance as their daughters enjoyed playing together.

We had a grand time getting to know Lydia and learned that her and her husband had a couple businesses back home in their home state of Arkansas. I recall the joy I felt learning this lovely young lady enjoyed blogging. At the time I had just started this website and it was fun to encounter another blogger. Her blog is titled: Letters and Lyrics

The longing to play that fiddle was still flirtling around in the back of my mind. I had to ask. Yes, I was assured I was welcome to play the fiddle. A bit of tuning, and many minutes practicing, still rusty, I managed to play a tune rooted in my family history. “I see the Moon” The lyrics are posted to go with the video of my playing on the porch of Shoshone Guest Lodge.

I see the moon,  The moon sees me,
Down through the boughs of the old oak tree,
Please let the moon that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

Over the mountain, Over the sea,
That’s where my heart is longing to be
Please let the moon that shines on me,
Shine on the one I love.

We needed to leave before the camp fire that night for the next morning I was headed back to Indiana after being gone for over 4 weeks. I may return one day to embark on a longer adventure such as the pack trip that encompasses at least one night of sleeping under the stars.

Hanging out sharing the peace and beauty

Be sure to check out the Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch located near the East Entrance of Yellowstone National Park. Find them on Facebook: Shoshone Lodge and Guest Ranch

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December 8, 2018December 8, 2018

Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

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Amid the hustle and bustle of December, the fun of sharing special times with friends and family, and the rush of preparing and attending events, I am going to take a moment in this week’s blog post to reflect back. Back to last July when we paid a visit to Wyoming, Yellowstone National Park, and specifically the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. Another moment to examine the importance of this season, and finally memories of a friend, in my opinion, gone too soon.

The Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone

We did not find this awe-inspiring spot in the park, (One of many, right?), until late afternoon. We choose to spend one day exploring Yellowstone National Park. After stopping at Yellowstone Lake, Old Faithful, exploring the Old Faith Inn, the Gibbon River and Falls, and oh yes, on our way into the park I had fun climbing up a rocky mountain top along side a dirty, large snow drift which lingered into the month of July. You may read about this and other adventures from that day in various blog posts I have yet to write. Consider subscribing to the newsletter for updates from the farm, new blog post notifications and for offers I believe may be of interest to you.

We turned off of the the park road following signs to the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. A sign read 3/8th mile hike to the bottom of the canyon. Sounded like something I wanted to challenge myself with. After all, its only 3/8 of a mile.

Looking down from the top of the 3/8th mile trail to the Yellowstone River.

Looking almost straight down, I could see a river raging and a paved trail with serious switchbacks. Oh, I was excited to begin the descent. I did note the views as I went down. I admit, I gave thought to the best ones where I intended to shoot some pictures on the way up. A good excuse to rest along my ascent for I knew going down, the upwards journey would indeed push my current physical limits.

Arriving at the bottom, I felt a bit small. Wyoming, in general, does that to me. Here, I felt it acutely. The river was rapid to say the least and the way the water fell down the falls left me a bit intimidated. Take a look in this video what it looked like to stand out over the falls and look down the canyon.

Beautiful colors, in the rock andwater captured my eye, but sheer magnitude exhibited by power of the water reminded me of the Creator and His might.

I did indeed feel exhilarated as I began the ‘only 3/8th mile’ climb back to the car. Do you hear a bit of sarcasm in my voice? The first and second switch back I challenged myself to get off the paved path by scrambling straight up, using rocks, and roots for foot and hand holds. The combination of high altitude and myself being less fit than in my past, I found after 2 I needed to resort to staying on the trail and slow down. Yes, I made use of those pretty views I mentioned earlier to rest, allow my heartbeat to slow a little and catch my breath. Did you know that when resting adrenal glands, it is important to not increase one’s heart beat too high? I was trying to be mindful of that, while the spunky spirit in me wanted to push myself. “Humm, now just what can I do?,” Summed up my thoughts “How far could I go without stopping?” Some part of me longed to go straight up the side as I had on the first 2 switchbacks at the bottom. As I was nearing the top I again stopped to soak in the beauty, the essence of the place and time, a unique to that moment feeling came over me. In my awareness of how my body was feeling, I found myself thinking of God, heaven, and a life after death on earth. I have heard others speak of a feeling close to heaven, but never experienced it. In that moment on the final stretch of the last switch back looking over the top of the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone I felt as close to heaven as I have ever. Perhaps there is a better way to put words to what I was feeling, but for the present that is the best way I can describe it. I felt peace and a nearness to God, and His Son, the powerful, sovereign creator of the universe.

There is a one-way road that runs along the canyon. We left and found yet another trail to descend for an entirely different look at the lower falls. Instead of looking over, we could face it from downstream. The color contrast of the water and thecanyon walls, along with the depth and height, I attempted to capture to share with you. Here is another video to view looking straight down and across the canyon.

A high look out point provided a place to chat with other visitors to the park.

Another trail led down to a place to get a different look at the lower falls.

I badly wanted to make that hike too, but the daylight was fading fast. I was in need of nourishment from the last hike that had dropped my sugar levels like a rock.

I contented myself with a partial hike on this trail enjoying a mountain stream as I went. A rest stop on a cute little bridge provided an impromptu photo shoot by my husband.

Stacey Alexander

I believe it was the next morning that I received a phone call my friend Stacy had passed away sometime before our stop at the canyon. It may have been earlier that morning. No matter really, as I remembered the feeling I had experienced as I gazed across the top of the canyon. I marveled at the mystery that is the work of our Creator in us. I cried, hearing her daughters voice on the other end of the phone, knowing it only meant one thing.

I was reminded of the day I met Stacy. It was a cold snowy, day with high winds causing serious white outs and drive offs on the road that we lived on at the time. Stacy was returning from moving one of her sons and driving a high-profile moving van. She decided to park in our drive way until better weather or a plan to get home could be decided on. As I finished up my barn duties, I invited her and her little girl in for a hot drink to wait for the help she needed. A conversation and a couple hours later I had made a new acquaintance. I had also learned she worked as realtor. Fast forward about 6 months, my husband and I had decided we were going be purchasing a house. As I prayed about what realtor we should use, Stacy came to mind. I had not spoken with her since the day she needed a place to get out of the storm. To be honest, as life often gets busy, I had forgotten about her. That day as I prayed, she came to mind and I knew I had found a realtor to work with. We looked at properties for 6 months before closing on one. Stacy worked hard not only to help us find what we wanted, but also when we did, to make sure the process moved forward in a way we would not regret.

Stacy became a friend who I kept up with from time to time. On this day, her daughter was no longer a little girl, but still, seemed unfairly young to be calling me to tell me of her mother’s passing.

The Birth of Jesus – Fulfillment

Enjoy your family and friends this December as we gather to celebrate. Remember the ones who may be missing loved ones.

I have been going through a workbook titled God is Enough. This book takes an in depth look at the book of Colossians. This is one of many books ofthe New Testament that speaks of the mystery God revealed through his Son. As we hustle and bustle our way through the month of December I invite you to remember the birth of the One who completes God’s plan.

I found myself singing this song once again this week and realized how it sums up what I have been studying in Colossians. Take a listen to Justified singing Down from His Glory.

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