I’ve been asked recently, “Why do I live in Wyoming? Why would I want to?” At the time, I just responded with a quick answer, “I love it here and wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.” I didn’t really think too much about it until afterward.

I don’t know that there is a specific answer to this question. I think it’s more of a feeling that I would have to describe. If I was to try to put this feeling into words, I’d say that Wyoming is a spirit that runs through my blood. She’s a part of me as much as I’m a part of her.

Wyoming is home to me.  Everything about it speaks to my soul. I was born and raised here. I took my first steps here, both literally and figuratively. This was the first place that I adventured out on my own, however, I know that it is more than that.

I love all aspects of living in Wyoming.  We have a very unique culture, ideals, and values and the majority of us embrace them to our core.  However, I know that living in here is not without its challenges.

Wyoming is a hard place to live, a lot of people are not cut out for it. We have unpredictable weather, most areas are extremely isolated, and we have dangerous wildlife.

I have lived in the middle of nowhere with the closest town 30 minutes away. There were several times when we had severe weather conditions. During those times, we prayed that there would be no emergency, knowing that it would be extremely difficult to make it to town.

We also had a time when we got home and had a rattlesnake curled up under the bench by our front door. I thanked God that day that my three-year-old son wasn’t the first one in the yard for once.

Did any of these things make me want to leave Wyoming and live in a more urban area? Absolutely not! In my opinion, in many ways, these things are just hazards of life, every place has downsides.  Personally, I would rather deal with all of these hazards over being worried about being stabbed or abducted every time I go to the gas station.

Yes, life in Wyoming is hard, but it’s still worth it.  Wyoming has an unlimited amount of unique and beautiful qualities.  

True Wyomingites will go almost any distance to help one another. We would help a complete stranger as long as it was in our power to do so.  Furthermore, our communities are very strong and connected.  I’ve witnessed many occasions where our communities came together to help someone or a family in need. 

The world is a big place; it’s easy to get lost in the crowd.  I feel like that doesn’t happen as often here.  In most cases, Wyomingites are friendly people, and we care about each other.

In my opinion, I wouldn’t trade our Wyoming scenery for any other place.  Many other places are beautiful, but they don’t compare to our state’s wild rugged beauty.  After hiking to the top of a mountain and taking in the breathtaking landscape laid out for miles all around me, no other place whispers home to me. 

I understand that everyone has a place that is home to them, and I wouldn’t deny them their truth about that. This is my truth; this is my home.