Wyoming
The very mention of the word Wyoming evokes the essence of the
American West. Wyoming is all that innumerable movies, novels and
legends have tried to capture. This Western Spirit thrives to this
day in the Cowboy State. The name Wyoming has its origins in an
Algonquin word meaning "large prairie place." From its
broad high plains to its soaring mountains, from its storied past
on the frontier to its role in the ancient histories of native
peoples, Wyoming is like no place on Earth.
Wyoming is often called the first state in outdoor America. From
the thrill seeker to the nature lover, Wyoming has something to
please everyone. Try your hand at running the Snake River on a
commercial float trip, herding cattle in the Big Horn Mountains,
biking in the Snowy Range, climbing the Tetons or stargazing in
the Red Desert. You can hike, backpack, fly-fish. Try wildlife
photography or birdwatching. Go rock climbing, kayaking, snowboarding,
parasailing, hang gliding, windsurfing, jet skiing or spelunking.
If you can think of it, you can do it in Wyoming.
For the more historical minded visitor, Wyoming’s history
is one of native peoples and an emigrant frontier. The National
Historic Trails Interpretive Center in Casper shows a glimpse of
life on the emigrant trails that went through Wyoming. There are
a number of old military forts throughout the state as well as
old western towns, an old Territorial Prison, battlefields and
other places rich with history.
It is easy to understand how Wyoming maintains their western spirit.
Not only is Wyoming’s history and culture cowboy history
and culture, but the very skills, values and strengths of the cowboy
are still celebrated throughout Wyoming. Rodeo is America's original
sport, and there is a rodeo nearly every day and night somewhere
in Wyoming from June to Labor Day.
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