We’d love to share your Wyoming adventure! Whether it’s a trip, an annual adventure, if you’re from out of state or a Wyoming native, we want to share! Email editor@wyolifestyle.com or message our Facebook page to share your adventure for our blog series!
What’s Your Wyoming Adventure?
from Tyler Halford
Star Valley native now living in Kentucky
Our annual camping trips consists of five Star Valley High graduates, one from 2000, one from 2001, and three from 2002, all five now married with children. To date, it has just been the 5 of us who attend, no children or wives (sounds mean but it just wouldn’t be the same!). It started in the summer of 2007 but we didn’t have intentions then of making it an annual event. Our first annual was in Star Valley and hardly consisted of “camping,” though we did sit around a fire. In 2008 we again met in Star Valley, though again it was mostly just sitting around a camp fire in town. Even though none of us live in Star Valley anymore, we all five have commuted back each year. I’ve come as far as Kansas for two annuals and Kentucky for four of them! We decided for the 3rd annual we’d make it more of a camping trip — so for the 3rd and 4th annuals we camped in Swift Creek campground just outside Afton. The 5th-9th annuals were all legitimately remote camping, all up Grey’s River, staying mostly at Forest Service guard stations.
Our activities primarily entail hunting ground squirrels, fishing, and hiking to various lakes along the Grey’s Range. We’ve been incredibly fortunate to see a wolf on one occasion and two wolverines on another occasion — most Wyoming natives have lived around but never seen wolverines.
These camping trips are beyond memorable and cherished. As I mentioned, living in Kansas and Kentucky for a combined six years didn’t stop me from making them happen. They’re the most memorable experiences I’ve had outside of raising a family.
Grand Teton National Park Welcomes Fourth-Grade Students
New Program Encourages Families and Classes to Visit National Parks
MOOSE, WY — Grand Teton National Park invites all fourth-grade students to visit the park for free as part of the White House’s new Every Kid in a Park program. Fourth-grade students can visit https://www.everykidinapark.gov/ to complete an activity and obtain a voucher for a free annual entry pass to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas and lands, including national parks.
Grand Teton National Park Superintendent David Vela said, “We invite all fourth graders and their families, as well as fourth-grade classes, to the park to discover, learn and have fun.” Vela said one of the goals of the program is to connect young people with the great outdoors.
To receive a voucher for their free pass for national parks, fourth graders can visit the Every Kid in a Park website and play a game to access their special voucher. Fourth graders and their families can then obtain a pass for free entry to national parks and other federal public lands and waters across the country from now through August 31, 2016. The website also includes fun and engaging learning activities aligned to educational standards, trip planning tools, safety and packing tips and other important and helpful information for educators and parents.
In addition to providing every fourth grader in America a free entry pass for national parks and federal public lands and waters, fourth grade educators, youth group leaders and their students can participate in the program through field trips and other learning experiences.
Grand Teton National Park offers a “Weather Wonders” snow science field trip for fourth-grade classes and geology field trips in the fall and spring. The distance-learning program “Snow Desk” broadcasts live to schools around the country during the winter.
Park personnel will be at Colter Elementary in Jackson Hole to share information at the fourth-grade parents’ night on Wednesday, September 16 from 6-7 p.m. Other schools and fourth-grade teachers that are interested in the program should contact Megan Kohli at grte_education@nps.gov or call 307-739-3656.
Information about additional educational opportunities with Grand Teton National Park such as curriculum materials, field trips, traveling trunks, distance learning and more is available at http://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/education/for-teachers.htm.
The goal of the Every Kid in a Park program is to connect fourth graders with the great outdoors and inspire them to become future environmental stewards, ready to preserve and protect national parks and other public lands for years to come. The program is an important part of the National Park Service’s centennial celebration in 2016, which encourages everyone to Find Your Park.
Every Kid in a Park is a government-wide effort, launched by President Obama, and supported by eight federal agencies, including the National Park Service, the Army Corps of Engineers, Bureau of Land Management, Bureau of Reclamation, Department of Education, Fish and Wildlife Service, Forest Service, and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
Rangers Caution Visitors Floating the Snake River Between Deadman’s Bar and Moose Landing
MOOSE, WY Grand Teton National Park / National Park Service — After a recent spate of incidents on the stretch of the Snake River between Deadman’s Bar and Moose Landing, Grand Teton National Park Rangers are cautioning boaters to choose segments of river that are appropriate for their experience and ability level. Rangers have conducted rescues on the Snake River near the Bar BC Ranch for five separate parties since August 1, 2015. Though nobody was seriously injured in the incidents, the consequences of such accidents on the Snake River can be catastrophic.
Though the Snake River in Grand Teton National Park does not consist of any whitewater, it is a complex and unpredictable braided river. A strong current, shifting channels, numerous logjams, eddies, and snags all combine to make floating the Snake a challenging proposition. These obstacles often require floaters to set up maneuvers well in advance, and inexperienced pilots often make maneuvers too late.
A raft hung up on a snag in the Snake River near Bar BC Ranch. National Park Service Photo.
Rangers have assigned difficulty levels to the various stretches of river in the park. The section from Deadman’s Bar to Moose Landing, where all of the recent incidents have occurred, is rated “advanced.” In all five incidents, the parties involved likely did not possess appropriate skill and experience to be floating an advanced section of river. Good alternative river segments include Pacific Creek Landing to Deadman’s Bar (rated “intermediate”) and Jackson Lake Dam to Pacific Creek Landing (rated “beginner”).
The five incidents fortunately did not result in significant injuries to those involved. However, the incidents did result in several minor injuries, damaged equipment, and in one case a destroyed vessel. The five parties were respectively operating a canoe, a kayak, a raft, and two drift boats. Some of the visitors involved were local residents. In some cases, the parties were able to self-rescue and were floated to safety by rangers. In others, rangers rescued the visitors hung-up on obstructions using swift water rescue techniques. Grand Teton Lodge Company and Triangle X river guides assisted with two of the rescues.
Rangers urge all visitors planning to float the Snake River to select their river segment based on an accurate assessment of their group’s ability level. River information can be obtained at all park visitor centers. Both a park boat permit and a State of Wyoming Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) decal are required before launching on any park waters. Additionally, all watercraft entering the park are subject to an AIS inspection when checkpoints are operating.
CHECK OUT ALL THE TEAMS AT THE CAMECO COWBOY TOUGH ADVENTURE WEEK WEBSITE: http://www.cowboytoughwy.com/#!teamroster/c1aam
FROM WIND RIVER COUNTRY TOURISM:
Cowboy Tough Adventure Race, Here We Come! Lander Athletes Represent Wind River Country at the 2015 Cowboy Tough Adventure Race (July 16 –July 19)
Wyoming – “So what are you up to this weekend?”
“Oh we’re just headed to Buffalo to do a little trekking through the Bighorns, some mountain and fire road biking, a little Class III whitewater boating, and a touch of orienteering with 100 athletes from over the globe for an 84-hour adventure race ending in Casper.”
Here in Wind River Country, chances are you know one: your neighbor, best friend, co-worker, or even you and your partner are considered an “adventure athlete.” Whether you weekend-warrior up to Wind River’s Stough Creek for a 21-mile fishing excursion, wake up at 5am to run the Tomato Loop, bushwhack with topo maps through the Red Desert to find petroglyphs, ride at-skis/fat bikes/stout horses through the backcountry—there’s a familiar, prevalent breed of (and unspoken camaraderie among) outdoor-forward humans throughout Fremont County.
No surprise that Fremont County has its own adventure race team, for its second year, competing in Wyoming’s 2015 Cowboy Tough Adventure Race. Sponsored by the Wind River Visitors Council, Team Wind River Country is a coed team of four, all residents of Lander.
Captain Charles (Chuck) Schuster crunches 0’s and 1’s by day for Wyoming Life Resource Center. He and his Cowboy Tough teammate and wife Karla Wagner, a local OB/GYN physician, originally got the adventure racing bug at the annual Leadville 100 MTB (mountain biking) race. (Where they spend over ten hours biking 100 miles over 14,000 feet of elevation gain. Each year. On a tandem bike. For fun.)
Returning for a second round, Wind River Country teammate Shad Hamilton is principal at Fort Washakie, a husband, and father of two. Having met in 2006 at the cycling club, Shad has joined Schuster-Wagner on several Leadville races and adventures through the backcountry. Hamilton paddled a canoe singlehandedly across Boysen Reservoir for one leg of last year’s Cowboy Tough to keep the team rolling through an injury and brief and unofficial checkpoint in the Emergency Room. Shad’s wife jokingly refers to Chuck as “that friend” (who drags him out for days and hours of insanity.) We’re not sure if that’s better than a weekly game of poker with the guys or not.
Brad Young is a husband, father, Army veteran, and the newest member of Team Wind River Country. A behavioral therapist at the Wyoming Life Resource Center, Brad was inspired by Chuck’s endeavors over office water cooler conversations, and effectively turned curiosity into action. After surviving his “first date” with the team at the Teton Ogre Adventure Race in June 2014, Brad has been training and on board for Cowboy Tough ever since.
The 2015 Cowboy Tough race-course this year is set for a start in Buffalo, a gentle meander through the Big Horns (ha) and finish line in Casper. 360-430 miles of trekking, paddling, orienteering, fire road biking, single track biking, mountain and road biking, and plenty of checkpoint challenges over the course of four days. Teams are completely independent and self-sufficient for food and water, and are allowed one tote box on an eighteen-wheeler for transition stations. What does that mean? Racing “re-starts” each morning at 7am and even if you rolled into the transition station at 2am, you have to get your food, sleep, and gear ready to start all over again.
Paula McCormick, marketing director of the Wind River Visitor’s Council was adamant about supporting the team in its second year. “Wind River Country is known for its mountains, rivers, trails, and unparalleled terrain from high desert to alpine. Even more so are the people that live here. There’s a pool of adventure athletes who are ‘Cowboy Tough’ and we are thrilled to support them… and have Wind River Country represented at an international (and Wyoming) competition that receives global exposure. These are the people we run by on the trail or see out on the mountain pass. They are our own.”
To get a sense of what this year’s race looks like, look at the video and photos from last year’s race that started in Fremont County. http://www.cowboytoughwy.com/ – !media/c9v9
Lander, WY – The International Climbers’ Festival is a five-day rock climbing festival that brings together hundreds of people from across the country to Lander. The event includes rock climbing clinics, speakers, and plenty of fun for climbers of any age.
Located in central Wyoming, Lander sits at the base of the spectacular granite-filled Wind River Range, which has some of the best alpine routes in the country. Just outside of town are the legendary limestone-dolomite sport-climbing crags of Sinks Canyon and Wild Iris, where you can find single pitch sport and traditional climbing as well as bouldering with grades for the whole family.
Evening Events at American Museum of the American West, BBQ from 5:30-8:00pm
6pm- Legends & Lore at the Museum of the American West
8pm- Boulder Bash at Cabin Boulders (with lights!)
THURSDAY, JULY 9
8am-Noon- Access Fund Service Project, with Support from the Trango
9am-11:00am: Shoe Demo at Wild Iris Store (return to store as well)
Noon-4:00pm: Tour Lander Brewing on the hour @ the Cowfish
3:00-5:00pm: Falcon Guide Writer’s Clinic
5:00pm- Central Bank & Trust Art Crawl begins and will make stops at local businesses to see various art displays and scotch/beer tasting.
7:00—11:00 pm- Opening Party, brought to you by La Sportiva and the Lander Bar at the Gannett Grill. Pull-Up competition starts at 7:00pm and band, Trout Steak Revival, starts at 8:00pm.
FRIDAY, JULY 10
8:00am- Breakfast Burritos by Solid Rock Climbers’ For Christ in City Park
8:30am-10am: Shoe demos in City Park (return to City Park as well)
9:00am- Meet for clinics at City Park and carpool to Crag
2:00pm-9:00pm- Trade Fair at City Park. Includes booths, exciting games, gear giveaways, and a Dyno Comp that starts at 6:00pm.
9:00pm Peculiar Patriots playing at the Lander Bar
SATURDAY, JULY 11
7:00-9:00am- Dolomite Dash Trail Run, sponsored by Elemental Gym with support from Dynafit @ Wild Iris Crag (21k at 7:00am, 5k & 10k at 7:30am)
8:30 am- Crag Breakfast by the Middle Fork @ Wild Iris Crag
8:30 am-10am Shoe Demos at Wild Iris Crag (return to Wild Iris Store)
10:00 am- Clinics at Wild Iris Crag
6:00 pm- Autograph Session with Athletes at Community Center
7:00pm- Millet Keynote Speaker Series
8:30pm- Closing Party and DJ Cut La Whut
SUNDAY, JULY 12
Coffee by prAna
9:00 Slide Show by Hans Florine (City Park)
All Access Pass – $70
All presentations, $10 Art Crawl dollars, Trade Fair, T-shirt, and Clinics. Includes select free food and discounts for drinks. Your way to experience the entire Festival!
Children’s Ticket – $35
All Access pass, specially priced for kids ages 6-17. Kids under 6 are free!
A reproduction of Rock Springs’ Andrew Kneeland’s Duck Stamp award-winning acrylic painting.
Two temporary exhibits will be on display next month at the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center, located at 532 N. Cache Street in Jackson. The public is invited to view the colorful exhibits, which celebrate Wyoming successes.
From the National Elk Refuge … The first exhibit commemorates the 125th anniversary of Wyoming statehood. Wyoming became the 44th state admitted to the Union on July 10, 1890. An interactive display will give visitors an opportunity to learn more about the state’s history and fun facts. Both a Wyoming and National Elk Refuge time line will be featured, along with coloring sheets, state logos, and a Wyoming quiz. Small Wyoming flags will be given to the first 200 families that visit the exhibit, which will be in the upstairs theater from July 2 through July 12.
Later in the month, visitor center staff will add a second exhibit to the upper level of the visitor center. The Wyoming Junior Duck Stamp 2015 Artwork Tour for the Top 100 entries and National Best in Show will move from its current location at the Campbell County Public Library in Gillette to the Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center from July 9 through August 2.The exhibit features an acrylic painting of two wood ducks by Andrew Kneeland, age 17, of Rock Springs. Not only was Kneeland awarded top honors in the state competition, but his artwork was judged the winner among best–of–show entries from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. His design will appear on next year’s Federal Junior Duck Stamp, scheduled to be released in June 2016.
The Junior Duck Stamp Conservation and Design Program is a dynamic educational program that uses both conservation and design principles to teach wetland habitat and waterfowl biology to students from kindergarten through high school. The program incorporates both scientific and wildlife management principles into an engaging visual arts curriculum. At the completion of their studies, participants complete a Junior Duck Stamp design, which is submitted to a state or territory contest. Top entries move on to the national competition.
Jackson Hole & Greater Yellowstone Visitor Center hours are from 8:00 am to 7:00 pm.
The 2015 Lander Brewfest will be held on Friday June 12th from 5-9pm and Saturday June 13th from 2-7pm in the Lander City Park, 405 Fremont Street. Tickets and more information about the breweries and program are available at www.landerbrewfest.com. The early-bird ticket rates are $25 for a one-day pass and $45 for a full weekend pass. Tickets can also be purchased day-of for $30/$50, giving 21+ age adults unlimited access to over 70 beers from our 25+ breweries that are coming from Wyoming, Idaho, Montana, Utah, and Colorado.
“We are excited to be moving Brewfest back to City Park,” said Rose Burke, Event Coordinator of the Lander Chamber of Commerce. “In addition to the centralized and sheltered location, this year’s event will include vibrant music, excellent food, and interactive games such as Beer Trivia and the Lawn Game Olympics.” Burke adds, “And the event is open to all ages, so kids and non-drinkers are welcome for free.” Please note: as an all-ages event, Lander Brewfest coordinators require all minors be accompanied by an adult and to please leave pets at home.
Burke noted that this year’s event gives regional craft brewers an opportunity to shine and has added new programs such as “Brewer’s Corner Classes” and “You Be the Beer Judge” sessions where participants can learn more about craft beer. “Our craft brewers are really artists that create some of the best beer in the country. They have a lot to share about their trade and have a vested interest in educating beer connoisseurs,” she added. “Hopefully, we all leave Brewfest with a better appreciation of who is making good beer and continue supporting these small businesses by demanding these products at local bar taps and on supermarket shelves.”
In addition to new programming, the 2015 Lander Brewfest will feature excellent live music. Friday night Spirit Family Reunion will close out the evening with foot stompin’ new-grass-blue-grass, hailing from from Brooklyn, New York. Saturday Jackson’s Chanman Roots Band will kick off the day with root jams and Eugene, Oregon’s Sol Seed will rock out the evening with an eclectic reggae and root vibe.
Lander Brewfest is also hosting Wyoming.com “Golf with the Brewers” 9-hole scramble at the Lander Golf Club, Saturday June 13th from 9am-12pm. “We have 30 of our brewers signed up and most of them are bringing some of their brews to share,” said Burke. “It should be a fun opportunity to play golf, talk with the brewers, and play golf.” Tickets are $30, available online.
Brewfest is partnering Saturday’s events with the Fremont Area Road Tour, a road bike race for all ages, levels, and distances beginning and ending at Lander City Park. June 1st is the deadline to register for the “Bike and Brew” packages: www.landercyclingevents.org.
The 2015 Lander Brewfest is presented by Fremont Toyota and sixteen additional partnering sponsors and organizations. Please thank these businesses by supporting them with your patronage.
For more information or to volunteer contact Rose Burke, Event Coordinator, Lander Chamber of Commerce: rose_burke@landerchamber.org, 307-332-3892. Press release from Wind River Visitor Council
SINKS CANYON ROUGH & TUMBLE TRAIL RACES SATURDAY, JUNE 6
The Lander Running Club is excited to announce the first ever Sinks Canyon Rough and Tumble Trail Races to be held this Saturday, June 6th! The race will be held in the spectacular Sinks Canyon on the Shoshone National Forest, starting and finishing in Bruce’s Parking Area.
“With two race distances of 4 and 11 miles, the runs promise to challenge runners of all inclinations and abilities; both include hill climbs, swooping smooth singletrack, and technical running,” said Evan Reimondo, co-founder and coach of the LRC. “These runs feature new, world class trails in the foothills of the Wind River range, and we truly believe they will become classic trail races.” said Amber Wilson, also co-Founder and coach of the running club.
The Lander Running Club was founded in December of 2013 by Evan Reimondo and Amber Wilson shortly after they transplanted to Lander following their graduate studies at NAU in Flagstaff, AZ where they both enjoyed the sense of community, encouragement, and friendship that came with participation in the local running club there – Team Run Flagstaff. “This was an attempt to bring that sense of running community with us to Wyoming, and we’re very excited to see it growing and becoming pretty successful,” said Amber.
The Lander Running Club hosts a weekly track workout on Wednesday nights and group trail runs on Saturdays along with a growing series of races year-round. Membership in LRC is free and open to the community. Runners of all ages and abilities are welcome. For more information about the Lander Running Club or to sign up for the group’s once-weekly newsletters detailing weekly group runs and upcoming running events, visit landerrunning.blogspot.com, visit and “like” LRC on Facebook at facebook.com/landerrunning or email Evan and Amber and landerrunning@gmail.com.
Race day registration starts Saturday, June 6th at 7am in Bruce’s parking area.
11-mile race briefing: 7:45
11-mile start: 8:00
4-mile race briefing: 8:15
4-mile start: 8:30
The Sinks Canyon Rough and Tumble Trail Races have permit approval from the Shoshone National Forest, and are sanctioned by the USATF.
— from Coach Amber Lynn Wilson, Press Release from Wind River Visitor Council
Collared Sow Grizzly bear with two cubs along the highway near Dubois
DUBOIS MUSEUM PRESENTS WYOMING COMMUNITY BANK SPEAKERS SERIES — BEAR SPRAY 101 JUNE 11
“Bear Spray 101 How to avoid bear encounters, the proper use of bear spray and how to defend yourself during an attack,” Fourth program in the Wyoming Community Bank Speaker’s series at the Dubois Museum in the Dennison Lodge June 11, at 7 p.m.
Bear Spray 101: How to avoid bear encounters, the proper use of bear spray and how to defend yourself during an attack.
A program on Bear Spray 101 will be presented June 11 at 7 p.m. at the Dennison Lodge in Dubois. The program is the Fourth in the Wyoming Community Bank Speakers Series at the museum. The series will feature speakers and programs on the area’s culture and history at all three county museums throughout the summer and fall. The programs are free and open to the public.
The program, led by Brain DeBolt, the Large Carnivore Conflict Coordinator with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.
The next speaker through the Dubois Museum will be at the Dennison Lodge July 9, 7 p.m. and will be a program by Mark Thompson sharing his story of life in the Dunoir Valley. This will also be a great opportunity for others to share their stories of Dubois in the past.
For more information call the museum at 307-455-2284, on Facebook at: Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center
Byrd Draw Trek – Photo Credit Lary Treanor
DUBOIS MUSEUM PRESENTS WIND RIVER VISITORS COUNCIL TREK SERIES JUNE 13 — “Byrd Draw Explorations”
First program in the Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series at the Dubois Museum Saturday, June 13 at 8:30 am.
Bruce Thompson and Sally Wulbrecht will lead the trek. The trek will investigate what the rocks, plants and animal tracks have to tell us about life in the badlands canyon. Bring a lunch, plenty of water and dress for hiking on rocky trails. The trek is free and open to the public. Meet at the Dubois Museum at 8:30am. Please call the Dubois Museum 455-2284 to register for the program.
This program is the First in the Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series at the museum. This series will feature treks on the area’s culture and history at all three county museums throughout the summer and fall.
The next activity will be a Wind River Visitors Council Trek Series through the Dubois Museum on Saturday, June 20, 9 a.m. to the Torrey Basin Petroglyphs, Limit of 12 people so call now to reserve your spot.
For more information call the museum at 307-455-2284 or on Facebook at: Dubois Museum & Wind River Historical Center — Press Release from Wind River Visitors Council
Come Celebrate International Migratory Bird Day, May 9
MOOSE, WY —Visitors and local residents are invited to celebrate International Migratory Bird Day (IMBD) at Grand Teton National Park by joining a bird-watching caravan on Saturday, May 9th. Park Ranger Andrew Langford will visit several park areas that provide the best opportunities to locate, identify, and record birds as part of the annual North American bird count and annual IMBD observance.
Anyone interested in birds is welcome. The bird-watching excursion begins at 8 a.m. from the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center in Moose and finishes by 4 p.m. at Christian Pond by Jackson Lake Lodge. This public activity is free and reservations are not required. Participants of the IMBD activity are reminded that park entrance stations are open; therefore a park pass is required for travel through any fee station.
Throughout the day, participants will take short walks at various locations, so those attending should wear comfortable shoes and bring a lunch, drinking water, warm clothing and rain gear. Bird field guides, binoculars and spotting scopes are also recommended items.
The 2015 IMBD theme, “Restore Habitat, Restore Birds,” focuses on the loss and degradation of bird habitats around the world. Urbanization and climate change are two of the primary threats to bird populations. To foster conservation efforts, IMBD suggests ways to get involved in habitat restoration projects at home, in communities, and further afield. Each habitat illustrated on the 2015 IMBD poster provides a colorful view of the places migratory birds seek for nesting, wintering, or as stopover sites during migration. Grand Teton National Park provides critical habitat for a host of migratory birds, as well as year-round species. The arrival each spring of sandhill cranes, mountain bluebirds, western tanagers, meadow larks and other charismatic and fascinating birds brings delight to park visitors and local bird watchers alike.
As always, the annual theme is relevant to host organizations and participants throughout the world. Participation in Grand Teton’s IMBD tour offers a chance to learn about the benefits of birds and their unique contribution to the health and beauty of the natural areas in northwestern Wyoming.
Observed each year in May to support avian conservation, IMBD serves as the hallmark outreach event for Partners in Flight—an international conservation program with a goal to reverse dwindling populations of migratory birds by bringing attention to factors that contribute to worldwide declines.
For more information about International Migratory Bird Day and the North American Migration Count, please call the Craig Thomas Discovery and Visitor Center at 307.739.3399. To learn more about the IMBD organization, go to http://www.migratorybirdday.org/
Check out Dead Drift Fly Fishing Company’s new mini store at 107 E. Grand Ave in Downtown Laramie Wyoming – for unique Wyoming wear for that avid Wyoming fan & fisherperson on your list… Click the image to connect with Dead Drift online!
Bill Sniffin releases his new Wyoming coffee table book, just in time for the holidays!
Sniffin Publishes Second Coffee Table Book about Wyoming Just in Time for Christmas
Wyoming author and journalist Bill Sniffin has just made available copies of his newest coffee table book about Wyoming, called MY WYOMING 101 Special Places. The book is a 156-page effort featuring 42 photographers and 156 color photos about the state, including 14 foldout pages.
His earlier book, Wyoming’s 7 Greatest Natural Wonders, published in 2012, has already sold 15,000 copies and is believed to be the best selling coffee table book in the state.
Sniffin, of Lander, is a photographer, journalist and entrepreneur who has lived in Wyoming for 44 years. His weekly newspaper column appears in several newspapers each week including the Rock Springs Rocket Miner, Rawlins Daily Times, Lander Journal, Riverton Ranger, the Cheyenne Wyoming Tribune Eagle, the Evanston Uinta County Herald, Sheridan Online and occasionally in the Casper Journal, Laramie Boomerang, Pine Bluffs Post, Powell Tribune, Sundance Times, Kemmerer Gazette, Moorcroft Leader, Afton Star Valley Independent and others.
Sniffin’s newest book, MY WYOMING 101 Special Places, will be on sale the end of November. With the success of the first coffee table-style book, it only seemed practical to follow up two years later with a companion book that featured not only “natural” images but photos of man-made places and people in the photos enjoying Wyoming.
Sniffin has written three other books, which are available at fine bookstores and online at www.wyomingwonders.com. They are all compilations of his columns. They include Strong Winds, Blowing Snow, Slick in Spots which was published in 2011; High Altitudes, Low Multitudes in 2003; and The Best Part of America in 1993.
Over the years, Bill has been honored with the state tourism industry’s highest awards, the BIG WYO award and the Tony Bevinetto Friend of Tourism Award. His wife Nancy was honored in 2011 with Wyoming’s highest award for volunteerism, the Jefferson Award.
Sniffin and his wife are former owners of newspapers in Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota and Hawaii. The Sniffins have raised four children and have ten grandchildren. Most recently, they sold an advertising agency they founded called Wyoming Inc. and also sold, along with daughter Shelli Johnson, an internet tourism company, yellowstonepark.com.
Bill is the former chairman of the Wyoming Travel Commission, vice-chairman of the Wyoming Aeronautics Commission and has also been a member of the Wyoming P16 Education Commission. Sniffin ran for governor in 2002, losing in the Republican primary. He is on the board of directors of the Mountain West AAA Auto Club, for Alaska, Montana and Wyoming and the Wyoming Travel Industry Coalition.
More information can be found at the web site www.billsniffin.com. One can also mail a request for the book to Box 900, Lander, WY 82520. His Facebook page is “Wyoming books, columns by Bill Sniffin.”
The Wyoming Historic Governors’ Mansion State Historic Site in Cheyenne honored Wyoming’s statehood with the Wyoming Day Celebration event on June 21st. Wyoming achieved statehood on July 10, 1890, cementing its place within the Union of the United States and as the 44th state. They celebrated with turn of the century activities on the lawn, Wyoming vendors, good food, a schedule of fun events, a pie eating contest, music and more!
Activities included traditional games such as croquet, graces and sack and potato races on the lawn. Historic characters met the guests. Piano by Bogy Bogensburger graced the mansion’s visitors, and outside Dave Munsick inspired many to dance. Special guests, Secretary of State Max Maxfield and State Auditor Cynthia Cloud, addressed the crowd and shared why they think Wyoming is such a wonderful place.
“This is a great activity,” says Christina Bird, Superinentendent. “We have games, crafts, shopping, music, food, antique cars, an ice cream social and so much more! This is a great way to celebrate Wyoming’s statehood and heritage.”
Community Partners include: Wyoming Arts Council, Cheyenne Light Fuel & Power, Wyoming State Historical Society,Traders’ Shoppers Guide, Historic Governors’ Mansion Foundation, Nagle Warren Mansion B&B, S&V Carriages, 1st Veterans Silent Cavalry, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Mort’s Bagels, Bread Basket, CashWa, Visit Cheyenne and the CFD Old West Museum.
The Historic Governors’ Mansion is located at 300 E. 21st Street in Cheyenne Wyoming. Please call 307-777-7878 for more information.
Our guest blogger, Liberty Lausterer, is back with another introspective look at our square state. Liberty moved to Wyoming within this past year, and offers us her perspective at life in the Cowboy State from a new resident’s eyes.
At a recent talk Nordgren gave at UW, he shared how light pollution is quickly turning the night sky into a rare commodity. We have now entered the era in which families across the U.S. will have to pack their kiddos into a car and drive a lengthy distance to a national park (spending lots of money on gas and lodging and drive-through meals), all so their kids can see the stars. And in some cases (such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park) not even the parks are immune to the devastating effects of light pollution.
The good news is we in Wyoming don’t have many city lights. It’s one of the many things I love about living in a sparsely populated state! But what our children, and our children’s children, will see in the coming generations depends a lot on the choices we make today. From the lights we install in our yards to light up our walkways, to the street lights we approve as communities, the fate of Wyoming’s night sky rests in our hands.
image by Tyler Nordgren
John Muir, the naturalist, said “When we try to pick out anything by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe.” My husband and I have stopped turning the front porch light on when we leave for the evening. I guess you could say it’s our small act of gratitude for the gift of this incredible Wyoming sky we share. So hitch your wagon to the stars!
For a beautiful and relaxing experience in Jackson Hole, visit The Bentwood Inn B&B in nearby Teton Village. A short drive from downtown Jackson, and a short drive to the slopes, The Bentwood Inn offers luxury and ambiance year-round. Outside Magazine called The Bentwood “One of North America’s best Ecolodges,” and as soon as you pull into the drive you’ll see why. We greatly enjoyed our own stay, with a lovely gas fireplace, spacious bathroom and a delicious night’s sleep.
Visit their website to learn more about The Bentwood Inn B&B – and when you’re planning your next Teton vacation, check them out!
Check out the website for schedule and lots of info on this annual run, an ultra distance event included in the popular Black Hills Trail Running series.
Wyoming Governor Matt Mead, U.S. Congresswoman Cynthia Lummis, the Wyoming Business Council and the Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services invite you to the Wyoming Broadband Summit at the Little America Hotel and Convention Center in Cheyenne Oct. 23, 2012. Join the effort to address broadband expansion, adoption, innovation and opportunities to build a faster, connected future for Wyoming. For more information, contact Troy Babbitt, Enterprise Broadband Coordinator, Wyoming Department of Enterprise Technology Services, at 307.777.5648 or email troy.babbitt@wyo.gov.
LANDER: LANDER ART CENTER OKTOBERFEST October 7
From 5-9:30 PM at the Museum of the American West (Red Barn and Schoolhouse), enjoy music and lots of fun! Tickets $10, kids 12 & under are free. Click here!
LARAMIE: ALWAYS A COWBOY8K/5K SEPTEMBER 22: The Wyoming cross country teams will participate in the 11th annual “Always a Cowboy” 8k run/5k walk Saturday at 9 a.m. at Undine Park in Laramie.
The event is an annual race held in memory of the eight Wyoming cross country student-athletes whose lives were taken on September 16, 2001. Undine Park is located at 5th Street and Ord in Laramie.
Prizes will be awarded, and everyone has a chance to win raffle prizes. Entrance fees are $20 before 5 p.m. on Wed., Sept. 19, and $25 after the 19th leading up to the race. A registration form is available — click here.
All proceeds are donated to the University of Wyoming cross country and track and field programs.
FOOD NEWS — WHAT’S COOKING ACROSS WYOMING…
JACKSON: Jackson Whole Grocer 5th Annual Harvest Festival — see the image below for more information!
Harvest season is in the works at Table Mountain Vineyards in Huntley! Click here to check out some images from one of the hardest working companies in Wyoming… And stay tuned to their Facebook page for information on their upcoming TV appearance!
LARAMIE: Altitude Chophouse & Brewery and Lovejoy’s Bar & Grill Specials
LOVEJOY’S SPECIALS:
chipotle chicken sandwich Sliced chicken breast brushed with chipotle sauce and topped with applewood smoked bacon, melted cheddar cheese, lettuce and tomato. Served on a kaiser with your choice of fries, chips and salsa, creamy mashed potatoes, cottage cheese or dinner salad. 8.5
pizza special Eight inch Italian pizza crust topped with capicola ham, salami, spicy Italian sausage crumbles, marinara sauce, Italian seasonings and melted mozzarella cheese. 8.5
appetizer special Sundried tomato and goat cheese dip, served warm with toasted focaccia bread. 6.5
marinated salmon Fresh salmon drenched in a mildly spicy soy and pineapple marinade and baked on a bourbon soaked cedar plank. Served over white rice with asparagus. 16.5
new york strip Twelve ounce cut of Certified Angus Beef®, rubbed with rosemary, oregano and garlic and grilled to your liking. Served with roasted Yukon Gold
potatoes and balsamic marinated tomatoes. 21.5
grilled shrimp Spiced with a fragrant blend of tumeric, cumin, cayenne and coriander. Served over sweet and spicy coconut rice with a garnish of almonds and candied ginger. 14.
