Beneath the Boulders: Exploring Boulder Choke Cave in Sinks Canyon
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
Release Date: 09/26/2024
Celebrating 29 Years of Wind River Flywheelers Antique Engine and Tractor Show
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
In this month’s episode of Wyoming’s Wind River Country: Yellowstone’s Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera heads to Shoshoni for the 29th annual Wind River Flywheelers Antique Engine and Tractor Show. Recorded on location at East Park Rest Area, the episode brings listeners into the heart of this free, family-friendly celebration of rural heritage. With the scent of motor oil and grilled burgers in the air, guests share what fuels their passion for vintage machines—and what keeps this beloved event rolling year after year. The 2025 show was the Northwest Regional Gathering, and it drew...
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Mystery in the Mountains: John Mionczynski on Sasquatch and the Unknown
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
In this captivating episode of Wyoming’s Wind River Country: Yellowstone’s Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera, Anthony Prate and Helen Wilson chat with renowned biologist and wilderness expert John Mionczynski. The setting is The Rock Shop Inn—a peaceful, rustic retreat nestled among towering pines and rugged mountain beauty. Surrounded by the serene sounds of nature, John shares compelling stories from decades of field research and wilderness exploration, including his intriguing encounters and investigations into the elusive legend of Sasquatch. With his signature mix of scientific...
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Unique Accommodations in Wind River Country
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
In this episode of Wyoming’s Wind River Country: Yellowstone’s Unique Neighbor, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson explore three unique lodging facilities. First, they visit the yurts in Sinks Canyon State Park, where Park Superintendent Jessica Moore shares insights about this camping experience. The yurts combine comfort with nature and feature cozy interiors, furnishings and heating for year-round stays. Nestled among stunning landscapes, visitors can enjoy hiking, fishing and exploring the nearby river while immersing themselves in serene surroundings. Next they visit The Rock Shop Inn,...
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Wild Mustangs: Wyoming’s Hidden Sanctuary
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
On Saturday, March 22, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson met with Odessa Oldham of the Wind River Wild Horse Sanctuary for an ATV tour. The Sanctuary is located on a 1,400 acre working cattle ranch. It is the home of 250 wild horses and is one of only four public off-range pastures in the United States. It is the only one located on an Indian Reservation (the Wind River Indian Reservation). Join Charene and Helen as Odessa takes them to the center of the action. Surrounded by beautiful views of the Wind River Range, Helen and Charene learn about the Sanctuary, the horses and opportunities to...
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Sheep, Scenery & Stories: The Bighorn Bash and Eco Tour with the National Bighorn Sheep Center
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
On Saturday, January 11, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson headed to Dubois, Wyoming for the National Bighorn Sheep Center’s 31st Annual Bighorn Bash. This event serves as the Center’s largest single fundraising event of the year. It took place at the Headwaters Arts and Conference Center and included great food (provided by 3 Spear Ranch), lots of socializing, live and silent auctions and games. The following day Charene and Helen joined the Center’s Executive Director, Amanda Verheul and Guide, Ben Verheul on one of the Center’s popular Eco Tours. We had the opportunity to hear some...
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Racing to the Finish: Dubois Hosts the Final Stage of the Pedigree Stage Stop Race
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
On Saturday, February 8, Charene Herrera and Helen Wilson headed to Dubois for Stage Seven of the 2025 Pedigree Stage Stop Race. The race has been taking place since 1996, and this year, it had stops in Jackson Hole, Pinedale, Big Piney/Marbleton, Kemmerer, Lander and Dubois. Dubois was the final stop, and activities included a Musher Meet & Greet, Winterfest, Dogsled Demonstrations, Movie Night and, of course, the Pedigree Stage Stop Race. In this podcast, Charene and Helen chat with numerous people, including Sara Anderson, Liam Conner (Canada), Cathy Rivest (Canada), Anny Malo...
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Reeling in Winter Fun: Ice Fishing Derby Adventures at Boysen Reservoir
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
On Saturday, January 18, Charene Herrera headed to the ice to celebrate winter at the Boysen Ice Fishing Derby. This event is an annual tradition that has brought anglers together for generations. In this podcast, Charene chats with John Bass, Park Superintendent of Boysen State Park. John highlights winter recreation in Wind River Country and the importance of the Derby. Charene also speaks with Rich Mittlesdorf and Georgia Epperson, the owners of the Boysen Marina Campground Bar & Restaurant and Bruce Davidson and Jackie Stone of the B&K Shoreline Stop. They talk about the event, the...
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Dubois Cowboy Christmas: Parade, Western Decor & Holiday Cheer
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
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...
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Exploring Wind River Country's Local Food Scene
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
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 &...
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Spirits of Riverton: Unveiling the Haunting Tales of Downtown
Wyoming's Wind River Country: Yellowstone's Unique Neighbor
“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...
info_outlineOn 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/.
