Discovering Wyoming: Karen & Andrea's Excellent Adventure (Part II)

Karen, excited to be in Wyoming.

An email correspondence, Skype calls and a few days at the WWW conference—can a friendship be based on such a tenuous beginning?  I figured if that feisty little Texan was going to drive me nuts, I had my aerie (read upstairs bedroom) to which I could withdraw.  I needn’t have worried.

Church of the Transfiguration, Teton Range in the background

I have a long-standing love affair with Wyoming but unlike most lovers, I’m willing to share—at least with the right person.  It’s true that since I started coming here back in the ‘80s, the Jackson Hole area, and the town of Jackson itself, have changed somewhat in an attempt to deal with the numbers of people who tramp through every summer.  I eschew the high summer now; the Wyoming I wanted Karen to know was not one of long lines, traffic and crowded, sweaty cafes.  My Wyoming brings the peace of the mountains, the bounty of a varied wildlife, and the beauty of a landscape whose contours were formed by successive ice ages, volcanoes and earthquakes--so diverse, it’s a wonder it could all get crammed into this one small corner of the world.

The Cunningham Cabin, Jackson Hole

 And then there are the historic sites.  At The Church of the Transfiguration, Karen and I were totally in awe of those who have the opportunity to worship in such inspiring surroundings.  At Cunningham Cabin, we both had a huge dose of jealousy for those who, despite their hardships, could wake up every morning to views such as these.  

Menor's Landing, Jackson Hole

Menor’s Landing still has the cables that pulled the pontoon ferry across the river, as well as the furnished homestead and shop that served the tiny community.  History is ever-present in this landscape formed eight million years ago.

But we had less serious moments, too.  On the scenic boat ride around Jenny Lake a woman asked if the guide had said the mountains were formed EIGHT HUNDRED years ago.  I sat there thinking that, back in England, Canterbury Cathedral was finished with its lovely stained glass windows, yet here in Wyoming the earth could still be ravaging itself, trying to find a semblance of lasting shape.  At the first night of Rodeo for the season, a couple of broncos seem to have forgotten what, exactly, they were meant to do.  I invent a children’s story, “The Little Bronco Who Wanted to be Tame.”  The cowboys also seem to have forgotten their roping skills.  I tell Karen they’re probably bankers…

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

And at the Stagecoach Bar and Grill, known to locals simply as The Coach, we dance the night away…or as much of the night as our somewhat elderly partners can stand.  One old cowboy grips me round the waist and pulls me in close to whisper gently in my ear.  I stiffen somewhat as he murmurs, “I have a confession.”  My eyes seek Karen to get help but she is dancing happily with another old codger and my partner continues in his soft tones, “I’m from Idaho…and I’m a Democrat.”

Heartfelt thanks to KCF for joining me in Wyoming.  While Poe’s Raven quoth “Nevermore” my raven says, “Encore, encore!” 

Andrea Downing returned to live in the USA from Britain in 2008 and now divides her time between New York and Wyoming.  Her first novel, Loveland, is a finalist for Best American Historical in the forthcoming RONE Awards.

Blog Coordinator's note: Visit the authors' blogs for the full story of Karen & Andrea's Wyoming Adventure: Andrea Downing and Karen Casey Fitzjerrell.