Have you ever felt the call of the Wild West, where tales of cowboys and untamed wilderness still echo through the mountains? That's the siren song that drew me to Cody, Wyoming, and led me to invite Lee Livingston of Livingston Outfitting to share his deep-rooted love for this land. Lee's not just any guide; he's a steward of the outdoors, crafting bespoke journeys for those eager to experience the authentic cowboy lifestyle through guided hunts and horseback adventures. As we chat, you'll feel the dusty trails underfoot and the wild spirit of the West calling. We'll uncover the wonders of the Buffalo Bill Center of the West, revel in the excitement of the nightly rodeo, and hear about Lee's cherished moments amidst Cody's boundless beauty.
Picture yourself riding through the vast, open plains, the same ones that once welcomed Prince Albert of Monaco on a quest to follow his ancestor's footprints. Lee regales us with tales of this royal adventure and emphasizes the importance of being physically prepared to fully embrace the rugged life out there. Each expedition Lee curates is a patchwork of personal preferences, ensuring every guest leaves with memories etched into their soul. So, saddle up for this episode with us, where the spirit of the frontier lives on, and let's ride together into the heart of Cody's grandeur where your next great adventure awaits.
RESOURCES
- Cody, WY | Official Website (codywy.gov)
- Livingston Outfitting | Guided Wyoming Hunts & Adventures in Cody, WY (wyomingadventures.com)
- Cody, Wyoming Itinerary
- Wyoming (globaljourneyswithjilldutton.com)
Want more? Follow Jill's travels, view itineraries, read travel articles, and listen to podcast episodes at Global Journeys with Jill Dutton.
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Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the
podcast that transports you tocaptivating destinations around
the globe.
I'm your host, jill Dutton, apassionate traveler and seasoned
travel writer.
In each episode, we delve intothe heart of a destination with
a unique blend of storytelling.
Join me as we introduce you tofascinating individuals and
(00:24):
explore the enchanted placesthey call home.
To learn more about my writingand podcasting career, stay
tuned until the end of theepisode for more details.
Now let's embark on this globaljourney together, one person in
place at a time.
Today, we have a special treatfor all you adventure seekers.
(00:44):
Joining us is Lee Livingston,the founder of Livingston
Outfitting, based in thepicturesque town of Cody,
wyoming.
Cody, with its ruggedlandscapes, rich western history
and unparalleled natural beauty, has become a must visit
destination for those craving anauthentic outdoor experience.
And who better to guide usthrough the wonders of Cody than
(01:07):
Lee Livingston, himself aseasoned outdoorsman and the
heart and soul behind LivingstonOutfitting?
Today, we'll dive into theessence of Cody as a destination
, exploring its unique charm,thrilling activities and why
it's a haven for outdoorenthusiasts.
We'll also get an insider'slook into the world of guided
hunts and horseback trips withLee, discovering the passion and
(01:31):
dedication that go intocreating unforgettable
adventures for LivingstonOutfitting clients, whether
you're a seasoned hunter, anature lover or someone simply
yearning for a taste of the wildwest.
This episode promises to be acaptivating journey into the
heart of Cody Wyoming, guided bya true expert.
Lee Livingston was born in CodyWyoming under the shadow of the
(01:53):
Rocky Mountains.
Shortly after high school, hecombined his two passions horses
and the outdoors, and began acareer as a professional
wilderness guide.
In addition to working in themountains of northwest Wyoming,
he was fortunate to be able toguide for four years in central
Alaska.
In 1995, he started his ownoutfitting business and today,
(02:14):
with the help of his grownchildren, livingston Outfitting
has become one of the premierhorseback outfitting businesses
in Wyoming.
So saddle up and get ready foran episode filled with tales of
the untamed frontier, the thrillof the hunt and the beauty that
awaits in Cody.
Without further ado, let's jumpinto this exciting conversation
with Lee Livingston ofLivingston Outfitting.
(02:36):
Lee, thank you for joining metoday.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
First let's talk briefly about Cody as a
destination, and then we'll diveinto your work with Livingston
Outfitting.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Sounds good.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
What is it that you believe makes Cody such a unique
and compelling destination fortravelers?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Well, you know, the obvious is we're the East Gate
of Yellowstone, thank it's.
We're not as fancy or ourtouristy.
I believe, as Jackson, there'sa lot of good stuff to do around
Cody.
A lot of history in Cody, yes,learned by Buffalo Bill.
There's Old Trail Town therewhich has historical buildings
(03:27):
from all over Wyoming and theWest Right.
This grave, the grave ofJeremiah Leverett and Johnson,
is there.
Mm, hmm.
The museum itself is fivemuseums under one roof, the
Buffalo Bill Center of the Westand a world renowned museum.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Wonderful, and you've got the rodeo as well, right.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Actually sit on the on the board for the rodeo.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Oh, fantastic.
I visited about a year or soago and we really enjoyed the
rodeo.
That was a fun, fun event.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yes, it's been around a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Mm, hmm Well, can you share, I guess, some of your
favorite personal spots?
Or maybe you know how would youspend a perfect day when you're
not working?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
That's kind of hard.
I was born there, been thereall my life, and so it's it's
kind of my backyard.
I'm not a town person.
I generally like to be beoutdoors and there is a lot of
that around Cody.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
But spending my day not working.
I haven't had one of those in along time, I understand that so
okay.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
So basically, I guess in your free time it's getting
outdoors and enjoying thatbeautiful nature that you have
there.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It is yes Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Well then, so how did you start Livingston Outfitting
, Was it?
How did it come to be?
Was it inspired?
You know what inspired you tostart a business and guided
hunts and horseback trips.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It was kind of just by chance.
I grew up with horses.
My mom always had horses aroundthe place, and then I did spend
a little bit of time downOklahoma on a ranch with my,
with my mom and my stepdad, andhorses were a daily part of life
on the ranch.
And then, as a teenager, Ithought I was going to do
everything I could to stay awayfrom them, but that didn't work
(05:24):
out so well and I got a job.
the summer after I graduatedfrom the University of graduated
high school I got a job doingtrail rides the one hour, two
hour trail rides off of ahighway from between Cody and
Yellowstone.
Okay.
And a guy that had an outfit, ahunting camp, up the up the
(05:50):
North Fork.
That's the North Fork.
The Shownie between Cody andYellowstone would stop by.
There was a local watering holewhere I did the rides and he'd
buy out his way home or two campand he offered me a job that
that fall, as a wrangler huntingcamp, and I never really
(06:12):
thought about it, never reallydone any stuff or anything like
that.
I'd been to hunting camp withmy stepdad when I was, you know,
like nine, 10 years old and onhorseback, but I'd never thought
of it as a career Right.
So I, I was 1985 and I startedworking in that camp.
And you know, 30 some odd yearslater, here I am.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Fantastic, fantastic.
Well then, can you give us anoverview, maybe, of the types of
outdoor experiences andadventures that that guests
might receive?
I mean, I know they couldchoose from the two different
ones and we'll talk about eachspecifically, but I'm just kind
of curious.
You know, what is it the drawspeople to come to to Livingston
out outpitting?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Well we're.
We're a horseback outfit andyou know the, the mountains
around Cody there's offer a lotof a lot to see, and I've always
said the best way to see it isfrom the back of a horse.
It's a way to get away from itall, to get into the, into the
back country, into thewilderness, and I think that's
(07:18):
what draws people.
We saw a big uptick during andafter COVID.
Yeah.
Of people want to reconnect withthe outdoors, and there's not
really a better way to do itthan than to do it horseback.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Wonderful.
Do the changing seasons youknow?
I mean you're in in Wyoming Dothe changing seasons affect your
tours and activities that youoffer?
Is it seasonal?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It is seasonal.
Everything about my business isseasonal.
We have what we call summerseason and hunting season.
And summer trips.
They range from everything,from family wanting to just
explore the outdoors and maybedo a little fishing to folks
(08:06):
that want to come specificallywhen fishing.
We'll have groups that that isthe the the key part of their
trip and gear our trip aroundthat.
We'll have folks that want todo extended trips through the
mountains.
I have a couple of differentoptions.
We have options where we can goto a preset camp.
(08:30):
My hunting camp gets set up atthe starting of the beginning of
summer and we use thatthroughout the summer.
Then I have trip where we takea camp with us and we'll ride to
a destination set up camp andwe can stay there for the
duration of the trip and ride anhike from that that site.
(08:51):
And then we also have tripswhere we take camp with us and
we move to multiple campsitesand do a loop through the,
through the backcountry.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Wonderful.
And on the hunting trips, arethere specific types of game
that you're?
I mean, I know it's seasonal,like deer season and things like
that, but I mean what is localto the area and what are, what
are you specifically?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
The thing we, we, the animal we hunt the most, is elk
.
That's our, that's our mainstay.
We have three weeks or threeweeks of rifle elk season.
We have two weeks of archeryelk season.
We do the occasional deer hunt,we do the occasional big horn
sheep hunt, but elk is the mainstay.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
And how long is a typical guided hunt?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Dead hunts in the backcountry.
With me are seven days.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Seven days, okay, and do you have?
This is just curiosity, but doyou have a particular favorite
elk recipe?
Do you like to cook with elk?
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Oh, I love elk.
There's nothing better, nothingbetter than elk steak on the
grill.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Sounds good, wonderful, okay, let's see.
And then the horseback trips Goahead.
What?
Speaker 2 (10:04):
the other trips that we do.
That's a kind of a specialtytrip is we do a grizzly bear
viewing trip and we'll takeduring the summer.
We can go to sites where youcan view grizzly bears with
spotting scopes from a, from asafe distance, and then we've
had trips where we've seen 28bears in a day.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Wow, oh, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
There are a lot of what keep us wild.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That's wonderful.
I'm in Kansas so I'm odd by theopportunity to see see live
bear.
Okay, on your horseback tripsthen.
So you know that's a classicWestern adventure.
Can you know what can guestsexpect during a horseback trip,
especially if they're new tohorseback riding?
Is that an option?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
We, we have good gentle horses and mules and
obviously that's there you'regoing to be riding.
We again, we tailor our trips.
Folks that show up and said Iwant to see a lot of wildflowers
and there's a time of year whenthose are really really heavy
and places we can go, we can seethat.
I have folks that show up andthey say we want to see, you
(11:14):
know, a lot of wildlife andwe'll tailor the trip towards
towards that.
You know, another trip I do isI do what are called horse
supported hikes.
Folks that don't want to ride,or folks that have been
backpackers their entire life,have hit that point in time
where that carrying a 60 poundpack through the mountains isn't
(11:34):
all that much fun anymore.
And we will let those folks willhike and we we pack all the
gear on the horses and we kindof leap for all gold room.
They'll get up in the morningand and take off hiking and
we'll pack up camp and then passthem sometime during the day
and camp will be all set up whenthey, when they reach the
destination.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And are those typically seven days as well, or
do you have like one dayoutings and multi day outings?
Speaker 2 (12:02):
The shortest trip I really like to do is the
shortest is four days.
Mm-hmm.
You kind of, especially ifyou're going to try to get
anywhere, you need a day to getsomewhere to camp, and then
maybe a couple of days aroundcamp and then a day coming out.
So we try to not go any shorterthan four days.
(12:25):
We've done trips that have been14 days.
Mm-hmm.
And back when I was firststarting, the longer trips were
the norm.
It seems like in thisfast-paced world we're living in
now, folks wanna do things anddo them fast.
They don't have as much time tospend on leisure activities as
(12:46):
I guess.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
That's true.
That's true in a slower pace.
So I guess to give someone avisual of what it's like.
So do you provide the campingequipment and do you set up camp
?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Yes, we provide everything food, camp gear.
We ask that folks bring theirown sleeping bags and sleeping
pads.
Mm-hmm.
Do it all.
We also have folks that wannastep in and help, so people can
help as much or as little asthey want to.
We've had folks show up andwanna learn about packing the
(13:21):
horses and mules oh yeah, itwill take time to show them and
I've had some folks that shownup that have done a little bit
of it and by the end of the tripthey're doing as much as the
crew.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Interesting, and what's kind of the menu that you
serve.
You know what I mean.
Is it campfire cooking or?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
In the summertime you know that's part of the
ambience of the trip is campfirecooking and it also, honestly,
is easier for us not to have topack fuel for stoves and stoves.
Yes, 99% of our summer cookingis done over the fire.
We pack a little propane burgerjust for for heating up coffee
(14:06):
quick in the morning oremergency type situation, Mm-hmm
.
But the menu you know, steaksis pretty much always on the
menu.
You have burgers and brats.
There'll be a pasta dish.
It's good food.
My daughter is my lead cook onall of my summer trips now and
(14:27):
she can put some pretty goodgroceries out there.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Ha ha, ha, sounds delicious and, mark, pardon.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Breakfast is always egg, fruit.
You know you'll have pancakesor french toast sausage bacon.
It's.
It's funny.
Folks show up on the trip andthey're not.
They don't think they're bigeaters.
But you get out there in themountains it changes.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
The mountain air and the physical exertion.
I bet, I bet, I bet there'snothing better than just that
coffee and eggs in the morning.
You know outside.
So you know you've got thisWestern history and you know
what sort of role do the, yourexperiences, you know that you
offer.
How do you incorporate thatlocal culture into your guided
(15:12):
trips?
Are you able to do that?
And or are there justparticular routes that are more
stunning?
Or you know what I mean, Iguess the whole experience I'm
trying to figure out, even whatI'm trying to say here.
You know you've got that wholeWestern cowboy kind of thing, so
you've got that already goingon with the horses and the
campfire and things like that.
So I'm just curious are thereother ways that you're
(15:35):
incorporating the culture intothe guides?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Well, there is because, jill, there's trails
out there that were traveled bythe early explorers.
There's trails out there thatwere traveled by Jim Coulter,
that were still traveling MmTrails and the out there.
They're traveled by the NativeAmericans, uh-huh, yeah,
hundreds a year before we evershowed up.
(15:59):
We, uh, we find artifacts allover up there in the mountains
and it's kind of interesting,the Native Americans, when the
ones that were horse people,need to the exact same stuff we
need.
They need a flat spotpreferably, they need water
close by and they need feed fortheir horses, and so when you
(16:21):
start going up at thosecampsites, it's not unusual to
find artifacts native artifactsaround those campsites.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
How interesting, and Is there a particularly
memorable Guest or experiencethat someone had on one of your
trips that you could share?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Well, I'd say the most memorable the guest I've
had was Prince Albert of Monaco.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Really.
Oh, how interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Yeah, he came out in 2013.
It marked the 100th anniversarysince his great-great
grandfather, the other formerPrince Albert mm-hmm both to
Wyoming and hunted With BuffaloBill in a camp that I used to
have they.
After they hunted it, theycalled it Cam Monaco mm-hmm.
(17:09):
Prince Albert came out for thathundred year anniversary and
then we took him and a largegroup of folks on a short ride
and Then he wanted to come backand see Camp Monaco where he's
great-great grandfather athunted.
And so a couple years later heand us Three friends came out
and we took him back to CampMonaco and I had a great time,
(17:32):
great trip.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Oh, how interesting, Interesting.
Oh, thank you, thank you forthat.
And you know, is there any sortof preparation someone should
Make before you know, beforethey embark on one of your
guided hunts or horseback trips?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Well, I think the biggest mistake that folks make
when they sign up for ahorseback trip is they think it
might be like riding an ATV youjust get on and sit there and
ride horseback ride the physicalactivity and our trips and our
hunts are.
You need to be in decentphysical shape to go on them.
(18:06):
You're not gonna get away fromhaving sore muscles because
they're muscles that 99% of thefolks aren't using on a daily
basis when you climb on a horse.
But that's, that's just part ofit.
But just being in good physicalshape Is going to make your
experience a lot more enjoyable.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
I bet that helps a lot.
Okay, and Let me see here.
So, looking ahead Are there newadventures or experiences on
the horizon that you knowpotential clients can look
forward to, or Any anything newor changing?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Not much changing.
No, we're.
We're always Looking for newplaces to go, but again, I've
been in it for 30 some years andit and it you get, you're gonna
come going to the same places.
They're not new to me, butthey're new to most folks that
go with me.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Mm-hmm, and it just occurred to me.
Are these normally Booked bygroups of people or could you
know just a couple?
Come and join another group.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Exactly both.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
Oh, oh, that's good to know, okay.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I'm working on one of those trips right now.
I have a.
I have a 10-day trip that goesTo the headwaters of the
Yellowstone, mm-hmm.
I have a couple from New Mexicothat have just booked that trip
and what I do is I'll haveFolks call up that are
interested, interested, or emailthat are interested, and I'll
start building a trip.
(19:35):
I also have families or groupsthat Call up and they've already
got their group and we bookedthe trip just for them.
I don't have bookie cuttertrips.
There are some outfits thathave Trip A, trip B, trip C and
this is one of these trips leaveand okay, you got those trips
or you don't go at all.
I again, I try to tailor mytrips to the clients needs.
(19:59):
Mm-hmm.
Fires.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Excellent.
And again, how long have youbeen doing this, offering these
scotty tours?
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Yeah, that's what makes me think.
I actually startedprofessionally in 1985, mm-hmm,
and I've had my own own outfitsince 1995.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Wow, that's impressive and Obviously, you
don't lead every tour, so you,you have experienced guides.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
I'm getting to where I don't.
I don't I have.
If I didn't have my kids I'd be, I'd be in trouble, mm-hmm.
My daughter and her partner area main part of the crew and my
middle son is A big part of mycrew as well, and they thought
of the their movement towardsdoing more of the logistics and
(20:47):
taking the trips.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Excellent, excellent.
Well, you know.
Final question, I guess, is isthere anything else that you'd
like our listeners to know thatI might not have thought to ask
about?
You know Either about Cody orLivingston outfitting, or you
know just the incredibleexperiences that you provide.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
I Think we've covered it all.
I Welcome anyone that wants tocome see Cody and come see the
mountains and how far in advancewould someone booked one of
these trips?
My hunting trips.
I some of my hunts are bookedout through 26.
Mm-hmm most of the time, summertrips are Booked the year of,
(21:25):
or sometimes the year before.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Okay, okay, that sounds great.
Well, lee, thank you so much.
I really appreciate you joiningme and Educating us about what
you offer, so I can't wait toreturn.
I absolutely loved Cody Wyomingduring my visit and I would
love to come back at some pointand see what you've got going on
there as well.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
We'd be glad to have you.
Thank you, joe.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Wonderful.
Thank you, lee.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
You Welcome to Global Journeyswith Jill Dutton, the
captivating travel podcast thattakes you on an extraordinary
adventure around the world.
I'm your host, jill Dutton, andI am thrilled to be your guide
through the mesmerizing tapestryof cultures, landscapes and
(22:10):
experiences that await us.
Global Journeys with Jill Duttonis more than just a travel
podcast.
It's an exploration of humanityitself.
Through the power ofstorytelling, we illuminate the
lives of the remarkableindividuals we encounter along
the way, whether it's throughthe eyes of a fishing guide, a
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(22:34):
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Each person we meet adds a richlayer to the narrative of
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In this podcast, we embark on atransformative journey where
the focus goes beyond thetypical tourist attractions.
Instead, we dive deep into thehearts and souls of the places
we visit, uncovering the hiddengems and untold stories that
(22:55):
make each destination trulyunique.
Join me as we venture off thebeaten path, seeking
authenticity, connection and adeeper understanding of the
world we inhabit.
Together, we'll unravel thetapestry of cultures, one story
at a time.
Although my writing career beganin the late 90s, when I created
and launched a wellnesspublication called Evolving
(23:18):
Magazine.
Since 2015, I've worked as atravel writer on a mission to
seek out the locally celebratedfoods, liquor, trends, outdoor
activities and stories of thoseI meet along the way.
My work has been published inWine Enthusiast, a far woman's
world first for women, insiderroad trippers, modern farmer
(23:39):
chilled magazine and many moredigital and print publications.
I'm also the creator of GlobalPlates the people we meet, the
food they eat a syndicatedcolumn.
Creating this podcast is thenext step in my journey of
sharing the stories of thepeople I've met along the way.
So pack your curiosity, leaveyour preconceived notions behind
(24:00):
and let's embark on GlobalJourneys with Jill Dutton, where
each episode promises toinspire, educate and awaken the
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As we travel on this excitingpodcasting journey together, I
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Share your own travel stories,insights and recommendations
(24:22):
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Whether you have a hidden gemin your hometown or a dream
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(24:43):
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Send your suggestions to me atJill at Global Journeys with
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I can't wait to hear from you.
(25:04):
Until next time, may yourtravels be filled with endless
curiosity, open-heartedencounters and transformative
adventures.
Love Travels, fellow Explorersand keep wandering.
Welcome to Global Journeys with Jill Dutton, the
podcast that transports you tocaptivating destinations around
the globe.
I'm your host, jill Dutton, apassionate traveler and seasoned
travel writer.
In each episode, we delve intothe heart of a destination with
a unique blend of storytelling.
Join me as we introduce you tofascinating individuals and
(00:24):
explore the enchanted placesthey call home.
To learn more about my writingand podcasting career, stay
tuned until the end of theepisode for more details.
Now let's embark on this globaljourney together, one person in
place at a time.
Today, we have a special treatfor all you adventure seekers.
(00:44):
Joining us is Lee Livingston,the founder of Livingston
Outfitting, based in thepicturesque town of Cody,
wyoming.
Cody, with its ruggedlandscapes, rich western history
and unparalleled natural beauty, has become a must visit
destination for those craving anauthentic outdoor experience.
And who better to guide usthrough the wonders of Cody than
(01:07):
Lee Livingston, himself aseasoned outdoorsman and the
heart and soul behind LivingstonOutfitting?
Today, we'll dive into theessence of Cody as a destination
, exploring its unique charm,thrilling activities and why
it's a haven for outdoorenthusiasts.
We'll also get an insider'slook into the world of guided
hunts and horseback trips withLee, discovering the passion and
(01:31):
dedication that go intocreating unforgettable
adventures for LivingstonOutfitting clients, whether
you're a seasoned hunter, anature lover or someone simply
yearning for a taste of the wildwest.
This episode promises to be acaptivating journey into the
heart of Cody Wyoming, guided bya true expert.
Lee Livingston was born in CodyWyoming under the shadow of the
(01:53):
Rocky Mountains.
Shortly after high school, hecombined his two passions horses
and the outdoors, and began acareer as a professional
wilderness guide.
In addition to working in themountains of northwest Wyoming,
he was fortunate to be able toguide for four years in central
Alaska.
In 1995, he started his ownoutfitting business and today,
(02:14):
with the help of his grownchildren, livingston Outfitting
has become one of the premierhorseback outfitting businesses
in Wyoming.
So saddle up and get ready foran episode filled with tales of
the untamed frontier, the thrillof the hunt and the beauty that
awaits in Cody.
Without further ado, let's jumpinto this exciting conversation
with Lee Livingston ofLivingston Outfitting.
(02:36):
Lee, thank you for joining metoday.
Speaker 2 (02:48):
You're welcome.
Speaker 1 (02:49):
First let's talk briefly about Cody as a
destination, and then we'll diveinto your work with Livingston
Outfitting.
Speaker 2 (02:56):
Sounds good.
Speaker 1 (02:57):
What is it that you believe makes Cody such a unique
and compelling destination fortravelers?
Speaker 2 (03:03):
Well, you know, the obvious is we're the East Gate
of Yellowstone, thank it's.
We're not as fancy or ourtouristy.
I believe, as Jackson, there'sa lot of good stuff to do around
Cody.
A lot of history in Cody, yes,learned by Buffalo Bill.
There's Old Trail Town therewhich has historical buildings
(03:27):
from all over Wyoming and theWest Right.
This grave, the grave ofJeremiah Leverett and Johnson,
is there.
Mm, hmm.
The museum itself is fivemuseums under one roof, the
Buffalo Bill Center of the Westand a world renowned museum.
Speaker 1 (03:47):
Wonderful, and you've got the rodeo as well, right.
Speaker 2 (03:52):
Actually sit on the on the board for the rodeo.
Speaker 1 (03:55):
Oh, fantastic.
I visited about a year or soago and we really enjoyed the
rodeo.
That was a fun, fun event.
Speaker 2 (04:03):
Yes, it's been around a long time.
Speaker 1 (04:05):
Mm, hmm Well, can you share, I guess, some of your
favorite personal spots?
Or maybe you know how would youspend a perfect day when you're
not working?
Speaker 2 (04:15):
That's kind of hard.
I was born there, been thereall my life, and so it's it's
kind of my backyard.
I'm not a town person.
I generally like to be beoutdoors and there is a lot of
that around Cody.
Speaker 1 (04:32):
Yes.
Speaker 2 (04:34):
But spending my day not working.
I haven't had one of those in along time, I understand that so
okay.
Speaker 1 (04:42):
So basically, I guess in your free time it's getting
outdoors and enjoying thatbeautiful nature that you have
there.
Speaker 2 (04:49):
It is yes Okay.
Speaker 1 (04:52):
Well then, so how did you start Livingston Outfitting
, Was it?
How did it come to be?
Was it inspired?
You know what inspired you tostart a business and guided
hunts and horseback trips.
Speaker 2 (05:01):
It was kind of just by chance.
I grew up with horses.
My mom always had horses aroundthe place, and then I did spend
a little bit of time downOklahoma on a ranch with my,
with my mom and my stepdad, andhorses were a daily part of life
on the ranch.
And then, as a teenager, Ithought I was going to do
everything I could to stay awayfrom them, but that didn't work
(05:24):
out so well and I got a job.
the summer after I graduatedfrom the University of graduated
high school I got a job doingtrail rides the one hour, two
hour trail rides off of ahighway from between Cody and
Yellowstone.
Okay.
And a guy that had an outfit, ahunting camp, up the up the
(05:50):
North Fork.
That's the North Fork.
The Shownie between Cody andYellowstone would stop by.
There was a local watering holewhere I did the rides and he'd
buy out his way home or two campand he offered me a job that
that fall, as a wrangler huntingcamp, and I never really
(06:12):
thought about it, never reallydone any stuff or anything like
that.
I'd been to hunting camp withmy stepdad when I was, you know,
like nine, 10 years old and onhorseback, but I'd never thought
of it as a career Right.
So I, I was 1985 and I startedworking in that camp.
And you know, 30 some odd yearslater, here I am.
Speaker 1 (06:36):
Fantastic, fantastic.
Well then, can you give us anoverview, maybe, of the types of
outdoor experiences andadventures that that guests
might receive?
I mean, I know they couldchoose from the two different
ones and we'll talk about eachspecifically, but I'm just kind
of curious.
You know, what is it the drawspeople to come to to Livingston
out outpitting?
Speaker 2 (06:58):
Well we're.
We're a horseback outfit andyou know the, the mountains
around Cody there's offer a lotof a lot to see, and I've always
said the best way to see it isfrom the back of a horse.
It's a way to get away from itall, to get into the, into the
back country, into thewilderness, and I think that's
(07:18):
what draws people.
We saw a big uptick during andafter COVID.
Yeah.
Of people want to reconnect withthe outdoors, and there's not
really a better way to do itthan than to do it horseback.
Speaker 1 (07:34):
Wonderful.
Do the changing seasons youknow?
I mean you're in in Wyoming Dothe changing seasons affect your
tours and activities that youoffer?
Is it seasonal?
Speaker 2 (07:46):
It is seasonal.
Everything about my business isseasonal.
We have what we call summerseason and hunting season.
And summer trips.
They range from everything,from family wanting to just
explore the outdoors and maybedo a little fishing to folks
(08:06):
that want to come specificallywhen fishing.
We'll have groups that that isthe the the key part of their
trip and gear our trip aroundthat.
We'll have folks that want todo extended trips through the
mountains.
I have a couple of differentoptions.
We have options where we can goto a preset camp.
(08:30):
My hunting camp gets set up atthe starting of the beginning of
summer and we use thatthroughout the summer.
Then I have trip where we takea camp with us and we'll ride to
a destination set up camp andwe can stay there for the
duration of the trip and ride anhike from that that site.
(08:51):
And then we also have tripswhere we take camp with us and
we move to multiple campsitesand do a loop through the,
through the backcountry.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
Wonderful.
And on the hunting trips, arethere specific types of game
that you're?
I mean, I know it's seasonal,like deer season and things like
that, but I mean what is localto the area and what are, what
are you specifically?
Speaker 2 (09:17):
The thing we, we, the animal we hunt the most, is elk
.
That's our, that's our mainstay.
We have three weeks or threeweeks of rifle elk season.
We have two weeks of archeryelk season.
We do the occasional deer hunt,we do the occasional big horn
sheep hunt, but elk is the mainstay.
Speaker 1 (09:36):
And how long is a typical guided hunt?
Speaker 2 (09:39):
Dead hunts in the backcountry.
With me are seven days.
Speaker 1 (09:42):
Seven days, okay, and do you have?
This is just curiosity, but doyou have a particular favorite
elk recipe?
Do you like to cook with elk?
Speaker 2 (09:51):
Oh, I love elk.
There's nothing better, nothingbetter than elk steak on the
grill.
Speaker 1 (09:56):
Sounds good, wonderful, okay, let's see.
And then the horseback trips Goahead.
What?
Speaker 2 (10:04):
the other trips that we do.
That's a kind of a specialtytrip is we do a grizzly bear
viewing trip and we'll takeduring the summer.
We can go to sites where youcan view grizzly bears with
spotting scopes from a, from asafe distance, and then we've
had trips where we've seen 28bears in a day.
Speaker 1 (10:24):
Wow, oh, that's amazing.
Speaker 2 (10:28):
There are a lot of what keep us wild.
Speaker 1 (10:32):
That's wonderful.
I'm in Kansas so I'm odd by theopportunity to see see live
bear.
Okay, on your horseback tripsthen.
So you know that's a classicWestern adventure.
Can you know what can guestsexpect during a horseback trip,
especially if they're new tohorseback riding?
Is that an option?
Speaker 2 (10:51):
We, we have good gentle horses and mules and
obviously that's there you'regoing to be riding.
We again, we tailor our trips.
Folks that show up and said Iwant to see a lot of wildflowers
and there's a time of year whenthose are really really heavy
and places we can go, we can seethat.
I have folks that show up andthey say we want to see, you
(11:14):
know, a lot of wildlife andwe'll tailor the trip towards
towards that.
You know, another trip I do isI do what are called horse
supported hikes.
Folks that don't want to ride,or folks that have been
backpackers their entire life,have hit that point in time
where that carrying a 60 poundpack through the mountains isn't
(11:34):
all that much fun anymore.
And we will let those folks willhike and we we pack all the
gear on the horses and we kindof leap for all gold room.
They'll get up in the morningand and take off hiking and
we'll pack up camp and then passthem sometime during the day
and camp will be all set up whenthey, when they reach the
destination.
Speaker 1 (11:56):
And are those typically seven days as well, or
do you have like one dayoutings and multi day outings?
Speaker 2 (12:02):
The shortest trip I really like to do is the
shortest is four days.
Mm-hmm.
You kind of, especially ifyou're going to try to get
anywhere, you need a day to getsomewhere to camp, and then
maybe a couple of days aroundcamp and then a day coming out.
So we try to not go any shorterthan four days.
(12:25):
We've done trips that have been14 days.
Mm-hmm.
And back when I was firststarting, the longer trips were
the norm.
It seems like in thisfast-paced world we're living in
now, folks wanna do things anddo them fast.
They don't have as much time tospend on leisure activities as
(12:46):
I guess.
Speaker 1 (12:47):
That's true.
That's true in a slower pace.
So I guess to give someone avisual of what it's like.
So do you provide the campingequipment and do you set up camp
?
Speaker 2 (12:59):
Yes, we provide everything food, camp gear.
We ask that folks bring theirown sleeping bags and sleeping
pads.
Mm-hmm.
Do it all.
We also have folks that wannastep in and help, so people can
help as much or as little asthey want to.
We've had folks show up andwanna learn about packing the
(13:21):
horses and mules oh yeah, itwill take time to show them and
I've had some folks that shownup that have done a little bit
of it and by the end of the tripthey're doing as much as the
crew.
Speaker 1 (13:34):
Interesting, and what's kind of the menu that you
serve.
You know what I mean.
Is it campfire cooking or?
Speaker 2 (13:42):
In the summertime you know that's part of the
ambience of the trip is campfirecooking and it also, honestly,
is easier for us not to have topack fuel for stoves and stoves.
Yes, 99% of our summer cookingis done over the fire.
We pack a little propane burgerjust for for heating up coffee
(14:06):
quick in the morning oremergency type situation, Mm-hmm
.
But the menu you know, steaksis pretty much always on the
menu.
You have burgers and brats.
There'll be a pasta dish.
It's good food.
My daughter is my lead cook onall of my summer trips now and
(14:27):
she can put some pretty goodgroceries out there.
Speaker 1 (14:30):
Ha ha, ha, sounds delicious and, mark, pardon.
Speaker 2 (14:34):
Breakfast is always egg, fruit.
You know you'll have pancakesor french toast sausage bacon.
It's.
It's funny.
Folks show up on the trip andthey're not.
They don't think they're bigeaters.
But you get out there in themountains it changes.
Speaker 1 (14:49):
The mountain air and the physical exertion.
I bet, I bet, I bet there'snothing better than just that
coffee and eggs in the morning.
You know outside.
So you know you've got thisWestern history and you know
what sort of role do the, yourexperiences, you know that you
offer.
How do you incorporate thatlocal culture into your guided
(15:12):
trips?
Are you able to do that?
And or are there justparticular routes that are more
stunning?
Or you know what I mean, Iguess the whole experience I'm
trying to figure out, even whatI'm trying to say here.
You know you've got that wholeWestern cowboy kind of thing, so
you've got that already goingon with the horses and the
campfire and things like that.
So I'm just curious are thereother ways that you're
(15:35):
incorporating the culture intothe guides?
Speaker 2 (15:38):
Well, there is because, jill, there's trails
out there that were traveled bythe early explorers.
There's trails out there thatwere traveled by Jim Coulter,
that were still traveling MmTrails and the out there.
They're traveled by the NativeAmericans, uh-huh, yeah,
hundreds a year before we evershowed up.
(15:59):
We, uh, we find artifacts allover up there in the mountains
and it's kind of interesting,the Native Americans, when the
ones that were horse people,need to the exact same stuff we
need.
They need a flat spotpreferably, they need water
close by and they need feed fortheir horses, and so when you
(16:21):
start going up at thosecampsites, it's not unusual to
find artifacts native artifactsaround those campsites.
Speaker 1 (16:29):
How interesting, and Is there a particularly
memorable Guest or experiencethat someone had on one of your
trips that you could share?
Speaker 2 (16:39):
Well, I'd say the most memorable the guest I've
had was Prince Albert of Monaco.
Speaker 1 (16:44):
Really.
Oh, how interesting.
Speaker 2 (16:46):
Yeah, he came out in 2013.
It marked the 100th anniversarysince his great-great
grandfather, the other formerPrince Albert mm-hmm both to
Wyoming and hunted With BuffaloBill in a camp that I used to
have they.
After they hunted it, theycalled it Cam Monaco mm-hmm.
(17:09):
Prince Albert came out for thathundred year anniversary and
then we took him and a largegroup of folks on a short ride
and Then he wanted to come backand see Camp Monaco where he's
great-great grandfather athunted.
And so a couple years later heand us Three friends came out
and we took him back to CampMonaco and I had a great time,
(17:32):
great trip.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
Oh, how interesting, Interesting.
Oh, thank you, thank you forthat.
And you know, is there any sortof preparation someone should
Make before you know, beforethey embark on one of your
guided hunts or horseback trips?
Speaker 2 (17:46):
Well, I think the biggest mistake that folks make
when they sign up for ahorseback trip is they think it
might be like riding an ATV youjust get on and sit there and
ride horseback ride the physicalactivity and our trips and our
hunts are.
You need to be in decentphysical shape to go on them.
(18:06):
You're not gonna get away fromhaving sore muscles because
they're muscles that 99% of thefolks aren't using on a daily
basis when you climb on a horse.
But that's, that's just part ofit.
But just being in good physicalshape Is going to make your
experience a lot more enjoyable.
Speaker 1 (18:26):
I bet that helps a lot.
Okay, and Let me see here.
So, looking ahead Are there newadventures or experiences on
the horizon that you knowpotential clients can look
forward to, or Any anything newor changing?
Speaker 2 (18:41):
Not much changing.
No, we're.
We're always Looking for newplaces to go, but again, I've
been in it for 30 some years andit and it you get, you're gonna
come going to the same places.
They're not new to me, butthey're new to most folks that
go with me.
Mm-hmm.
Speaker 1 (18:58):
Mm-hmm, and it just occurred to me.
Are these normally Booked bygroups of people or could you
know just a couple?
Come and join another group.
Speaker 2 (19:10):
Exactly both.
Speaker 1 (19:12):
Oh, oh, that's good to know, okay.
Speaker 2 (19:14):
I'm working on one of those trips right now.
I have a.
I have a 10-day trip that goesTo the headwaters of the
Yellowstone, mm-hmm.
I have a couple from New Mexicothat have just booked that trip
and what I do is I'll haveFolks call up that are
interested, interested, or emailthat are interested, and I'll
start building a trip.
(19:35):
I also have families or groupsthat Call up and they've already
got their group and we bookedthe trip just for them.
I don't have bookie cuttertrips.
There are some outfits thathave Trip A, trip B, trip C and
this is one of these trips leaveand okay, you got those trips
or you don't go at all.
I again, I try to tailor mytrips to the clients needs.
(19:59):
Mm-hmm.
Fires.
Speaker 1 (20:02):
Excellent.
And again, how long have youbeen doing this, offering these
scotty tours?
Speaker 2 (20:07):
Yeah, that's what makes me think.
I actually startedprofessionally in 1985, mm-hmm,
and I've had my own own outfitsince 1995.
Speaker 1 (20:19):
Wow, that's impressive and Obviously, you
don't lead every tour, so you,you have experienced guides.
Speaker 2 (20:26):
I'm getting to where I don't.
I don't I have.
If I didn't have my kids I'd be, I'd be in trouble, mm-hmm.
My daughter and her partner area main part of the crew and my
middle son is A big part of mycrew as well, and they thought
of the their movement towardsdoing more of the logistics and
(20:47):
taking the trips.
Speaker 1 (20:49):
Excellent, excellent.
Well, you know.
Final question, I guess, is isthere anything else that you'd
like our listeners to know thatI might not have thought to ask
about?
You know Either about Cody orLivingston outfitting, or you
know just the incredibleexperiences that you provide.
Speaker 2 (21:02):
I Think we've covered it all.
I Welcome anyone that wants tocome see Cody and come see the
mountains and how far in advancewould someone booked one of
these trips?
My hunting trips.
I some of my hunts are bookedout through 26.
Mm-hmm most of the time, summertrips are Booked the year of,
(21:25):
or sometimes the year before.
Speaker 1 (21:28):
Okay, okay, that sounds great.
Well, lee, thank you so much.
I really appreciate you joiningme and Educating us about what
you offer, so I can't wait toreturn.
I absolutely loved Cody Wyomingduring my visit and I would
love to come back at some pointand see what you've got going on
there as well.
Speaker 2 (21:46):
We'd be glad to have you.
Thank you, joe.
Speaker 1 (21:48):
Wonderful.
Thank you, lee.
Enjoy the rest of your day.
You Welcome to Global Journeyswith Jill Dutton, the
captivating travel podcast thattakes you on an extraordinary
adventure around the world.
I'm your host, jill Dutton, andI am thrilled to be your guide
through the mesmerizing tapestryof cultures, landscapes and
(22:10):
experiences that await us.
Global Journeys with Jill Duttonis more than just a travel
podcast.
It's an exploration of humanityitself.
Through the power ofstorytelling, we illuminate the
lives of the remarkableindividuals we encounter along
the way, whether it's throughthe eyes of a fishing guide, a
distillery owner, a mixologist,a historian, chef, or even a
(22:34):
farmer.
Each person we meet adds a richlayer to the narrative of
culture and place.
In this podcast, we embark on atransformative journey where
the focus goes beyond thetypical tourist attractions.
Instead, we dive deep into thehearts and souls of the places
we visit, uncovering the hiddengems and untold stories that
(22:55):
make each destination trulyunique.
Join me as we venture off thebeaten path, seeking
authenticity, connection and adeeper understanding of the
world we inhabit.
Together, we'll unravel thetapestry of cultures, one story
at a time.
Although my writing career beganin the late 90s, when I created
and launched a wellnesspublication called Evolving
(23:18):
Magazine.
Since 2015, I've worked as atravel writer on a mission to
seek out the locally celebratedfoods, liquor, trends, outdoor
activities and stories of thoseI meet along the way.
My work has been published inWine Enthusiast, a far woman's
world first for women, insiderroad trippers, modern farmer
(23:39):
chilled magazine and many moredigital and print publications.
I'm also the creator of GlobalPlates the people we meet, the
food they eat a syndicatedcolumn.
Creating this podcast is thenext step in my journey of
sharing the stories of thepeople I've met along the way.
So pack your curiosity, leaveyour preconceived notions behind
(24:00):
and let's embark on GlobalJourneys with Jill Dutton, where
each episode promises toinspire, educate and awaken the
wanderlust within us all.
As we travel on this excitingpodcasting journey together, I
invite you, our incredibleaudience, to be a part of it.
Share your own travel stories,insights and recommendations
(24:22):
with us.
Whether you have a hidden gemin your hometown or a dream
destination that has capturedyour imagination, we want to
hear from you.
Your suggestions will helpshape the future episodes of
Global Journeys, with JillDutton guiding us towards
extraordinary locations andexperiences that deserve a
spotlight.
Remember, this podcast is notabout just the host or the
(24:43):
guests.
It's about the collectiveexploration and discovery that
unites us all as wanderers inthis vast world.
So reach out to us through ourwebsite, social media channels
or email and let your voice beheard.
Send your suggestions to me atJill at Global Journeys with
JillDuttoncom.
I can't wait to hear from you.
(25:04):
Until next time, may yourtravels be filled with endless
curiosity, open-heartedencounters and transformative
adventures.
Love Travels, fellow Explorersand keep wandering.
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