Take a camera or gear up your mental faculties for a "mind's eye" view of the enchanting community of Story, Wyoming. Either way, if you're planning on recording the experience of this little side trip, (just a 15-minute drive north of Buffalo) you'll need plenty of film or an oversized post card to share what you see with family or friends back home.

Take Interstate-90 north from Buffalo and watch for Exit #44. The scenery along the way includes the shimmering waters of Lake DeSmet on the east and the ever-changing panorama that is the Big Horn Mountains to the west.

If history is one's forte, it's easy to go back about a century and half and imagine traveling the history Bozeman Trail or being involved in battles between Native American Indians and the U. S. Cavalry stationed at nearby Fort Phil Kearny. Travel back in time with a visit to the Fetterman Massacre and Wagon Box sites. The Fetterman Massacre monument recalls the story about a brash young 19th century military captain who defied his commanding officer and ended up being no match for the brilliant military Indian chief, Red Cloud. At the fort it's easy to walk the perimeter of what was known as "the hated fort on the Little Piney." Depending on the month you visit there, activities include a living history demonstration or a Bozeman Trail Days celebration. During the summer archaeological digs often take place. Only a quarter mile from the fort is the monument to a brave Portuguese immigrant, John Phillips. The information on the monument about "Portuguese Phillips" heroic and legendary ride through the cold winter weather in 1886 to bring help to the fort will make any history buff want to ask questions at the fort. The museum at the fort is open from late spring through early fall--and it's free.

The surrounding countryside hasn't changed a great deal since the days of the bloody battles during the white/red confrontations. Let your mind run wild and it's almost possible to hear Red Cloud's cries of anguish and the expressions of the soldiers. Piney Rest Cemetery and Our Lady of the Pines Catholic Church are just a short distance away. Both bear mute testimony to the struggles and tragedies endured by the generations of ranching people who settled the surrounding area.

Perhaps the most popular attractions in this tiny town of just a few hundred residents, is the Story Fish Hatchery. As you come into town, take a left turn onto Fish Hatchery Road and come face to face to what may well be the most attractive picnic grounds anywhere. Sit in the shade and listen to the whistling wind connecting with the massive Ponderosa Pines, hear the singing of the creek, eat your lunch and there's good chance you won't want to leave. The fish hatchery is a state-of-art facility operated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department. The hatchery stocks some 350,000 fish each year and process several million trout eggs which either end up in the State's fish culture program or are shipped to other states to use for trades for species no raised in Wyoming hatcheries. The hatchery is normally for visitors from the middle of April until Septembers. Tours are available and the show ponds and indoor exhibits are very educational. The Story facility, operated by the Wyoming Game and Fish Department is the oldest operating station in the state. The Wyoming Legislature authorized the 1895 construction of the original hatchery on Wolf Creek some 20 miles north of Story. It was moved to its current location because of the need for a better and colder water supply. When it's almost time to finish the loop tour take time to check out at least one of the culturally popular places in town. The town boasts one of the quaintest and most congenial mercantiles anywhere--you might have to duck under the garlic cloves to find the dog food, or the latest in popular cuisine, but "it's all there." As the visitor heads back to the black top road, he or she is likely to agree that this phrase says it about all of Story--a small town with big promises for anyone who drops by.