I Remember When... a Blog About Wyoming

I remember when Wyoming was a place for rebels. Have you ever read any Louis L'Amour books? Watched any westerns? It was always the rugged cowboy on the plains who didn't follow anyone's rules, but took care of the people around him. It was independent women establishing their own homesteads because damn it, they had that strength. It was the really good people who didn't fit so well in the city. The glinty stare, the begrudging offer of hospitality, the people who did the right thing even if they didn't much care for the person they were doing it for. When I think of Wyoming, I think of folks who do the right thing for others and then don't really mention it. The people of Wyoming are humble and proud at the same time. I don't think of millionaires who don't understand what it is to be a working human being when I think of Wyoming.

I remember, when I was a kid, going to my dad's friend's ranches to fish, hunt, dig potatoes, pick asparagus, and these ranchers were some of the kindest, most intelligent people I have ever come across. They were excited to show us kids how things worked, How plants grew, how the pheasants hid in the cut corn and the commands to the dogs to retrieve them. Hunting antelope in Elk Mountain and coming home with a calico kitten. The wind roaring across the mountain and my older cousin challanging me to a wind-spitting contest (He had me go first, I lost). This was my Wyoming, these have been my people.

These are people who have worked hard and played hard, People who can face adversity and learn from it, and then willingly teach what they have learned. People who embrace adversity and joy with a certain aplomb, because they are Wyoming folks. People who are too smart and independent to accept anything less than what they deserve, and who will not offer their fellow citizens less either.

This is the Wyoming that is fading fast among the current political climate. Why are we arguing about women's rights? Why are we arguing about people's personal choices? This isn't us. You mind your business, and I'm gonna mind mine. This is the Wyoming way.

We care, we don't judge, we don't poke our noses where they have no place being poked, and we take care of our own. This is what I remember, and I would love to get that back.