Wyoming - The Cowboy State

Tourism Slogan: “Forever Wild”

Suggested Slogan: “Forever Windy”

Two Truths and a Lie

• Wyoming is home to the lowest point of the Continental Divide called the South Pass. Though not especially scenic, this crossing point eased the journey for settlers on the Oregon Trail, the Transcontinental Railroad, and the Lincoln Highway.

• Wyoming has a record as one of the most conservative states in the nation. On July 24, 1919, Wyoming became the first state to reject ratification of the 19th Amendment and it was not until 1970 that Wyoming voted in favor of the 19th Amendment as a formality.

• A silhouette of a rider atop a bucking horse is the state’s official trademark and beloved icon. The most popular origin story claims the pictured horse is a famous rodeo bronco named Steamboat. The formidable beast so hated riders that a cowboy who managed to last a record-setting ten seconds atop Steamboat earned a concussion and severe throat damage.

The Recipe - GORP Cookies

In the northwest corner of Wyoming lies Yellowstone, the world's first National Park, established in 1872. Nowadays Wyoming is home to six National Park sites: Devils Tower Monument, Fort Laramie Historical Site, Fossil Butte Monument, Grand Teton Park, Rockefeller Parkway, and Yellowstone. And on top of that, eight national forests lie within the state as well. All this land, plus the benefit of many sunny days and few mosquitos, makes Wyoming a hiker's paradise. I wanted to make a cookie suitable for a day in the wilderness.

GORP, also called trail mix, is a combination of nutrient-dense foods that travel well and provide lots of energy. Some claim the name is an acronym for “Granola Oats Raisins and Peanuts.” I have also heard that the 1913 Oxford English Dictionary defines gorp as a verb meaning to eat greedily. I prefer this explanation.

I put so many tasty and nourishing ingredients in my dough: oats, pepitas, almonds, pecans, cherries, and chocolate. For a salty note, I added chopped beef jerky to the dough. Also, cattle is the top agricultural commodity of Wyoming. Not much grows on those high, arid plains besides grass.

These cookies were huge, nourishing, and delicious! I packed them along for a long bike and they tasted brilliant after miles of pedaling uphill. I’ll make them again the next time I have the privilege of hiking in Wyoming.

Want to experience Wyoming for yourself? Then Teresa recommends ...

Yellowstone National Park is an unparalleled destination of course, but I personally preferred visiting Grand Teton Park just to the south. Those mountains are some of the most stunning on earth. Lately, I have spent more time exploring the southeast corner. I love hiking at Curt Gowdy State Park and Vedauwoo Recreation Area which has some fantastic bouldering (see below). To see some of this beauty from home, check out the landscape photography of Thomas Mangelsen.

Time for the whole truth

All that stuff about resisting the 19th Amendment is true for Georgia, Wyoming was the first state to grant women's suffrage and their official motto is "Equal Rights."

(By the way, you can click on any of the 2 truths and a lie statements to visit the source of the trivia)