Uniquely, Wyoming

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

By Bill Sniffin

Three weeks ago, we published a column listing some unusual things people should know about Wyoming before moving here. That column generated even more suggestions for newcomers.

One of the more humorous suggestions was that anyone moving here “should give away all their summer clothes!”

Of all the people who offered tips for newcomers, Kari Cooper of Jackson Hole must have made the biggest move of any Wyoming transplant. Cooper came here from New Zealand 20 years ago.

“Wyoming is not always an easy place in which to live,” she says. “We deal with the harsh weather plus the craziness of driving 500 miles to a kid’s sporting event every weekend.”

Dave Langerman just moved to Lander from California and suggests that travelers carry a candle in a jar to take the chill off the inside of your car should you spend the night in a snow bank. He also reminds newcomers to keep a cell phone plugged in while traveling.

And Dave Hanks, the director of the Rock Springs Chamber of Commerce, lives in Farson and has these thoughts:

“Moving here from northern Wisconsin 27 years ago, I learned a few things that are uniquely Wyoming. First is the term ‘snirt’ in southern Wyoming. This is a common occurrence as the wind blows our very dry snow around until it mixes with dirt and you have ‘snirt.’

“Next, being a Midwest boy, I had a hard time understanding the phrase ‘purple mountain majesty.’ This was answered in a very visible and dramatic fashion as we drove to the Big Sandy Openings one evening at sunset in the summer of 1981. The Wind River Mountains changed colors many times in a few minutes with the final spectacular splash of primrose and purple. The light went on in my head as we stood in awe of the sight that unfolded before our eyes. This is a scene we never grow weary of through the changing seasons.”

Buffalo’s Jim Hicks says: “I’ve noticed over the years there are a few people who move to a small town and suddenly are in culture shock. They may have come from a place were there was a social strata of sorts. Suddenly, they realize the guy who rides on the back of the garbage truck and fixes streets is part of a regular golf foursome with the local doctor, banker and attorney. These newcomers realize there is no seating chart at the church dinner.”

One of my first hires at the Lander newspaper in the 1970s was a young Texan named Stephen Woody who is now publisher of the daily newspaper in Montrose, Colo. He says Wyoming is unique because its women are very amorous. Of course, his wife, Susan, is from Sheridan. Woody met her while working in Lander.

My kid brother, Jerry, who graduated from Lander Valley High School and now lives in San Diego, says this to newcomers: “You better buy some snow tires. Some real snow tires. Always be prepared for cold, even on the Fourth of July.

“Summertime sunsets are wondrous, as are the sunrises, when the sun hits the peaks first, and the amber glow works its way down the mountainsides.
“Wait five minutes and that rainstorm will be over. The wondrous smell in the breeze is sagebrush.”

University of Wyoming Professor Phil Roberts of Laramie suggests newcomers learn some local politics and recommends they check out his Web site: http://uwacadweb.uwyo.edu/ROBERTSHISTORY/.
Carole Perkins of Sheridan moved from New York to ranch with her new husband.
“What happened to me in that first year would make a column all in itself if I would admit it, but it would be too embarrassing!”

Diane Galloway, who has lived in Evanston, Laramie and Cheyenne, says buying some thermal underwear and a hooded coat good for minus 10 is a must.
And: “Never plant flowers before June 10 in Cheyenne or Laramie. It will be a waste of money,” she says.
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