The Cowboy is at the Heart of What Makes Wyoming Great
Posted July 12, 2018 by Prairie Wife - 18 comments
Wyoming is what America was, and the Cowboy is at the heart of what makes us great.
Without the Cowboy, Wyoming would simply be an open vast prairie, surrounded by majestic mountains, divided by slowly flowing streams and rushing rivers….
Beautiful, terrifying and empty.
We are the first state to adopt a code of ethics, and rightly so, our code is taken from the book “Cowboy Ethics”.
Number 10. Know where to draw the line
Folks, I’m drawing it now.
Don’t mess with our Cowboy’s!
Those of you that don’t live in Wyoming may be feeling a bit confused, so let me catch you up.
Recently the University of Wyoming released its new slogan “The World Needs More Cowboys!”
In less than 24 hours an official complaint was issued in the form of a letter saying that the slogan should be shelved because it wasn’t inclusive to women and people of color…
You. Have. Got. To. Be. Kidding. Me.
I’m not originally from Wyoming.
I visited when I was 12, fell in love with the state and moved here (on my own) to attend the University of Wyoming when I was 17.
As my bio says, I fell in love WITH A COWBOY and the rest is history.
I think the fact that I’m an outsider offers me a unique perspective of Wyoming, that perhaps those (like my husband) who have resided in this land for generations don’t have.
I’ve lived here for 18 years now.
The more I see of Wyoming the more I love her, and at the center of this greatness is the Cowboy.
The Cowboy is a symbol of strength and softness.
A man who will cradle a puppy in his rough hands while his son gently strokes its ears, and with tears in his eyes, be the one to gently offer it peace and rest after over a decade of companionship.
A Cowboy is respectful and ready to help.
A man who opens doors, takes his hat off for the national anthem, and wakes up in the middle of the night to answer the call of a neighbor in need.
A Cowboy is quiet and peace.
I can see him now…Standing with his gaze on the distance, hands in the pockets of his jeans, the ever present Wyoming wind ruffling his collar, breathing in and out with the steadiness of the mountains around him.
You know you can count on a Cowboy to do what needs to be done, to finish the job, and always ride for the brand.
Hell yes, the world needs more Cowboys.
I write this as a woman and UW alumni saying I am proud to be a Wyoming Cowboy.
Wyoming is my home, she is and always will be, in my mind, the best part of America…
And the Cowboy is what makes her great.
May I also add, if you don’t like my Wyoming Cowboys, I’m sure I can find you the next stage coach that’s going back east.
Go Pokes.
Photos thanks to Shawn Rivett and used with permission.
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18 thoughts on "The Cowboy is at the Heart of What Makes Wyoming Great"
Categories: Life As It Happens, Prairie Life
Tags: , cowboys, The Cowboy, the univeristy of wyoming, the west, the world needs more cowboys, Wyoming, wyoming cowboys
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Amen!
Thanks Dawn 🙂
Amen! I am not offended in the least, nor do I feel excluded from what the cowboy represents. Remind me again which was the first state to give women the right to vote?
Right?! I wanted to write so much more about that aspect of Wyoming, the history of women working alongside cowboys…but was trying to keep it short and sweet.
This is why I love you! … and Wyoming.
I didn’t get to live there long, but it is a part of me forever. I’m not ashamed to say I would move back to be part of that Cowboy life, in a heartbeat.
The world needs more Cowboys…
We’d love to have you back!
Great article go pokes and all Wyoming cowboys of which three are my two sons and grandson
Thanks! GO POKES 😉
I grew up In Wyoming on my Grandfathers Ranch.
Your words are totally condescending. Go home.
We can rue Wyomingites don’t need or want the
likes of you in our midst.
I’d be happy to help you pack.
Sorry you feel that way!
Do you have Anything about Cooking out In the old western What I Mean is out on the ranch’s
food that’s served to every day ranch food. Not the fancy food Normal food I am making mess of this.
Thank’s have a great rest of summer and fall.
We have lots of recipes on here, the chili one is great and this one is common for ranch dinners! https://prairiewifeinheels.com/milk-can-dinner-in-your-crockpot/
Proudly wear my Cowboy tattoo on my leg and a very proud UW alumni here!! Go Pokes!
Whoop high five to my tattoo buddy 😉 #wyomingpride
Beautiful I also feel in love with a cowboy and stayed in Wyoming. Thank you for this story.
It’s the combo of the Wranglers 😉 and the Cowboy attitude that keeps us around!