Wyoming. The least populated state in the union. Some of our countrymen would say drive that stretch of highway at night, or better yet, fly over it. Great, we don’t need them. We’ve got all we need. We’ve got miles and miles of nothing, to the uninitiated.

We’ve got long stretches of lonesome prairies that eventually rise up and give way to sky scraping mountains that surely must be home to the gods. Our rolling hills contain life giving arteries of pure clean water that hide the kind of monster fish that appreciative people come to catch from around the world, The bison, bears, birds, pronghorn, mule deer, wolves, and more find a home in the vast and foreboding wilderness of Wyoming.

We have natural wonders that most of the world thought were either dreams, tall tales or hallucinations of madmen when early explorers returned to civilization with stories of boiling mud and of Geysers, colorful pools of scalding waters of brilliant color and sometimes medicinal properties. Surely such a land could not exist.

But it does. We sometimes call it “The Cowboy State.” And there too lies a history that is rich, deep and at times, violent. The history that precedes the cowboys, miners and trappers includes a noble race of Native Americans. The original inhabitants include The Crow, Shoshone, Cheyenne, Ute and Arapaho.

Wyoming is rugged country that was first explored by white European explorers and others seeking to tap into the rich resources found in what is now Wyoming. It was the railroads that opened up this nation, giving mobility to a people that formerly died within 15 miles of where they were born. It was the railroads that breathed life into workers lives and families as well as the millions of people that would benefit from the resources shared from this great state.

The United States of America also benefits from a dedicated military that stands guard on the wall that holds back any evil in this world that would do us harm. The Air Force maintains a mighty and fearsome deterrent of missiles that can deal death from thousands of miles away against any aggressor that would do us harm or try to take away our freedom. There is more, much more, that is lost on some who would not see.

 

In another post, I told of Hawaii that is looking for people to move there for jobs. Funny, as I wrote it, the wind was blowing snow sideways as it howled past our studios. The delays and closures were adding up as the temperature was dropping down. Wyoming winters? Hawaiian tropical paradise. I’ve been to Hawaii and it is truly beautiful. White sand beaches give way to turquoise waters of varying degrees of color. Those waters provide sustenance for Hawaiians as well as surfing, kayaking, sailing, scuba diving and more, all under a sun that brings life to the lush foliage found on the island state. They have much to offer, yes, but I’ll just go for a visit, thank you very much. You can go for a drive there and end up right back where you started in 25 miles. There are lots of differences but suffice it to say I would miss the wide open spaces of Wyoming. The grandeur of The Tetons, The wonders of Yellowstone and the big old empty of wide open country with a sky that stretches from one end to the other. That may be what I like best, lots of nothing.

 

I’m sorry, I am getting wordy about the place we call home. Most those that live here wouldn’t give it up for anything. What this state means to us is near impossible to put into words, but I know of something that comes very close.

Watch…. and listen… To “Wyoming Where I Belong,” from 5th generation daughters of Wyoming, Amy Smith & Annie (Smith) Jackson. Even if you’re already here, it just may make you homesick.

Wyoming Where I Belong written and performed by 5th generation Wyoming natives Annie Laurie & Amy Roy. Recorded with The Colorado Symphony Orchestra as commissioned by The Nature Conservancy. It a beautiful blend of music and images of and for Wyoming.

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