From our Field Organizer, Courtney, and her friend, Gina - 
Courtney:My decision to attend Western Washington University meant being a slight anomaly to those I met. Mention you are from Wyoming and then on top of that you grew up in a family that outfits for a living, people become pretty interested in how life was growing up in Wyoming. I enjoyed the opportunity to discuss the state I love and perhaps change a few misconceptions about us.
I met my friend Gina on a study-abroad in Costa Rica. Perhaps one of my favorite memories of the trip is coming across a barbed-wire fence with Gina and her asking me, “How do you get through? You’re from Wyoming you should know”. I of course giggled a bit, after all any kid who has grown up in Wyoming has had to cross a fence or too but I had never considered a born and raised Seattleite may have never crossed a fence.
When our schedules finally aligned and Gina was able to come visit a few weeks ago I was more than a little excited to show her what Wyoming has to offer in the few days we had.
Gina:I literally knew two things about Wyoming before arriving mid-October of this year: 1) the state has fewer people than any other state in the union and; 2) my friend Courtney is from there. Based on these facts (even despite how great Courtney is) I didn’t think I would be hooked on it by the time I left. I grew up in Seattle - the suburbs no less - far removed both geographically and socially from the plain wide open spaces of what I imagined Wyoming to be. Prior to this trip, my experience traveling throughout the US had been somewhat consciously – however I now realize regrettably - limited to the West and East coasts. As an Environmental Planning major at Western, I had spent considerable time gaining knowledge about the environment from an urban perspective, and had little knowledge of - or admittedly, interest in - our rural landscapes. Sad (I know), but true. I suppose I never considered, or felt rather, the environmental concerns of the west. I was never part of it. I had never thought about how environmental issues there may completely differ from the ones we face in here Western Washington on countless levels. Nor had I considered the unique opportunities that lie within somewhere like Wyoming. Fast forward to 3 weeks ago and I am driving across the lower half of Wyoming contemplating all of these ideas – and suddenly standing on the banks of the Grey’s River, fishing pole in hand, surrounded by one of the most captivating landscapes I have ever found myself in, seemingly rid of anyone but ourselves for miles and miles.
Courtney:I had five days to show Gina as much of Wyoming as I could and the tour began around my new residence in Laramie.Joined by my boyfriend Kevin and his friend Kyle we set out to go rock climbing at Vedauwoo. The weather was beautiful and you really get to see a different looking piece of country. After a long day of climbing we head back to Laramie and happen to head through town during halftime of the homecoming game, where an entirely different part of the Wyoming culture shines through, Pokes Pride. 99% exhausted we almost called it a night but I had mentioned swing-dancing at the Cowboy earlier in the day and there was no way Kyle was going to let this opportunity slip through his hands. In the end we all went out where Gina and Kyle got a quick lesson in the art of swing-dancing and exposure to the cowboy culture that many come to Wyoming expecting to see.
In the morning we part ways with Kevin and Kyle and head for Pinedale. Gina gets the I-80 tour from Laramie to Rock Springs until we turn off and head for my parents house in Pinedale along the way she is able to see wind farms, gas fields, and I point out all of the new residential development that has popped up since I graduated from high school (2005). The next few days are filled with lessons in fly-fishing along the Grey’s River, a trip up to hunting camp, horseback riding, and getting to watch the beginning of the pronghorn migration. All in all a pretty good representation of Wyoming for the few days in which we had to travel, even if we did not head for the normal tourist hang out that is Jackson.
Gina: Climbing at Vedauwoo on a beautiful day was a great introduction to some of what I could expect over the course of the next 5 days in Wyoming. When you find yourself climbing in a scene of spectacular rock formations and valleys you really begin to feel a part of a place. Wyoming was offering me the opportunity to play in its beautiful landscapes and as I learned more about them, in return, I was becoming more interested and beginning to feel a part of them too...
But let’s not forget the Cowboy. As Courtney has mentioned, we met on a trip to Costa Rica. For that trip, we had spent weeks preparing for some of the differences we could expect going into a foreign country - differences in culture, food, timeliness, etc. Little did I know that the culture shock to take place in just one or two hours at the Cowboy in Laramie would rival that of what I had experienced in a Central American country. I guess most people expect this cowboy culture when they go to Wyoming – I apparently missed the memo that this sort of thing actually still existed (I know...it’s embarrassing to admit). I was in awe entranced by cowboy hats, wranglers and swing-dancing. It was very cool. Eventually Kyle and I pretended to get the hang of swing dancing (which never really happened – we were much too afraid of being kicked in the heads by the legs of girls being tossed, turned and flipped in the air) and it was on to Pinedale the next morning.
What impressed me possibly the most on this drive were the bits of information Courtney knew in relation to just about every place between Laramie and Pinedale. I mean EVERY place. Sure, she grew up here, studied the environment in college, and works in the area - so perhaps not all people in Wyoming have this much knowledge or interest in developments along I-80 and 191. But, maybe many of them do. Which in itself gives clarity to the fact that there is really something special here. Here, conservation efforts have an effect on a lot of different types of people - in a lot of different ways - than in the urban landscapes I am used to. The sense of ownership for, concern for, and interest in every spot and town along this 4.5 hour drive was inspiring. Similar was her depth in knowledge as we drove along the Grey’s to her family’s hunting outfit. And I don’t blame her – it’s hard to imagine not caring.
Courtney: In addition to showing Gina different places that I hold near and dear to my heart throughout Wyoming, I was also able to discuss the different issues facing our state. I think if I mentioned the impact of other state’s quest to get “green energy” on Wyoming, specifically wind-energy development, Gina just might have lost it.
Throughout this rambling I am hoping my underling message has shined through a bit, it is vitally important to our work in conservation and for the perception of our state that we do something we have not historically been that good at, talk to people about Wyoming. In talking with Gina and showing her Wyoming, there is now an advocate for Wyoming and more specifically an advocate for conservation issues in Wyoming. Gina will be sprinkling the city of Seattle with her new knowledge of Wyoming and the many issues facing our state. Wyoming has found in Gina, an advocate for our state and our lifestyle; so the next time you come across someone visiting our state instead of being frustrated with the longer lines at the grocery store, or lack of tables at the local restaurant take the time to talk to those folks about our state, you never know you may find the next advocate for our state.
Gina:Wyoming gave me something special – an amazing look into the outdoors that I truly cherish. And when I share this experience with friends and family back home, it is both excitedly and knowledgeably. I can't believe how lucky Courtney is to have grown up there.
What I have taken from Wyoming in experiencing its beauty is not only a respect for the scenery, the wildlife, and the people who work within it, but also a concern for the issues Wyoming faces and the people who work to preserve it. Equally as important, is a realization of the unique opportunity that Wyoming is presented with to safeguard its landscapes.
What I took away from this trip is a heck of a lot more than just learning what the “Pokes” are, or that you can find good (great) sushi in Laramie, or how much more potent alcohol can be at higher elevations (though this is exceptionally important…). I learned how memorable the Bridger Teton National Forest looks from horseback, how juggling the economy/energy/environment relationship looks from the more rural parts of the country (throw in wildlife protection/hunting and fishing access and…whew!), and so much more importantly, why I should care about it. I don’t just want to have an equally memorable time experiencing the abundance of places in Wyoming and the wildlife within them when I return next year, but for years and years after. I’m hooked.
