Wonderful Wyoming

The Grand Teton Range

I have spent many years ridiculing the barren desolation of southern Wyoming, but now I feel I must publicly admit the error of my ways.

The Wind River Range

(Picture taken by yours truly)

Make no mistake: the stretch of southern Wyoming along I-80 is pure desolation. But as Wyoming folks are fond of saying, they're glad it's so ugly down there because it keeps outsiders from discovering the awesome grandeur of the state up here.

One of the things that makes Wyoming so great is that it is so sparsely populated: ranked 9th in size but 50th in population. You can go for miles and miles and not see any people or dwellings.

Ten Sleep Canyon

(30 miles east of Worland)

Last weekend, we drove back from Utah over Teton pass and then down along the Wind River Range, through the Wind River Canyon to Worland. Though I'll always be partial to Mt. Sneffels and the Colorado Rockies, they've got nothing on the Wyoming Tetons when it comes to sheer majestic power. In fact, between the Tetons, Yellowstone, the Wind Rivers, and the Big Horns, Wyoming holds some of the most beautiful terrain not just in the USA, but in the world.

Worland itself, while a great small town, is not particularly scenic. However, there are two gorgeous canyons less than half an hour away; the Big Horn mountains are only forty minutes away; the Wind Rivers and Yellowstone are only two hours away; and the Tetons are only four hours away. In other words, a spectacular array of wilderness beckons within a short drive, and there's hardly anyone else you have to share it with.

The Wind River Canyon

(30 miles south of Worland)

So Wyoming, I apologize. You're more beautiful than I ever imagined. I hope to make it up to you by exploring and relishing your wilderness for many years to come!

And to any friends or family who may be reading this, you will always be welcome to come visit us and explore our new beautiful state.

(But shhhhh . . . don't tell anyone else about it!)

The Wind River Range (again)