Tetons and Wyomians

Wyoming is one of the most beautiful states in the country. My favorite is California (it’s my home state), but Wyoming has what I like: solitude, mountains, and geologic wonders like Yellowstone and The Tetons. I have been to Yellowstone and The Tetons twice and each time knew that the time spent there was just not enough. I need to spend a month in Yellowstone just to come close to capturing what is there. I need a few days just on the Grand Prismatic, which I visited for about an hour on my most recent trip. The land calls to me, but the people are hard to connect with.

Wyoming people are my kind of people. They are not flamboyant, they are quiet but opinionated. They are simple but confident. But I don’t feel welcome in Wyoming. I am constantly reminded that I am an outsider. And I am. It’s not so much that people are unkind, it’s more that they are standoffish, they don’t open up to outsiders, and their words to you, if any, are short. I’d love to spend some time in Wyoming and become one of them and enjoy their company. They are real and genuine people.

I think back to a trip to Arkansas Cheryl and I took a few years ago. We were met at every stop with genuinely kind people who asked about where we were from, where we were going, were willing to help with directions and suggestions, and of course, asked us to “y’all come back now.” We left every stop amazed at how nice people were in Arkansas. Also, the state is another on my list of most beautiful states in the country. The Natural State it is indeed, and the people are golden.

I can’t say that California people are universally kind. It’s such a big state that people are different all over. LA vs. SF vs. Tahoe vs. Redding. It’s all so different.

I can say that people in the backcountry, on trails, and on mountains are always kind and welcoming wherever you are. That’s one thing I love about hiking. We all belong there due to the fact that we all laced up our boots, packed our food, planned our hike, and are sweating it out together. The joy of hiking and the beauty you can find is what I hope to bring to people through my podcasts Beautiful Places and Beautiful Places: Hiking. There are so many trails, so many places to go, and so many people to meet.

Tony