Wyoming's beauty can be found in the most unexpected places

It’s taken 36 years, but I’ve finally visited Yellowstone.

I’m not sure why it’s taken me so long to visit, especially being a Wyoming native. I would assume it’s almost mandatory for anyone who consider themselves a true resident of the Cowboy State. In fact, people have been genuinely surprised when I’ve casually mentioned I hadn’t visited the park.

“But, you live in Wyoming,” was the common response, almost as if I shouldn’t call myself a Wyoming native because I hadn’t seen the park’s natural wonders for myself.

Yellowstone is every bit as beautiful and awe-inspiring as writers and artists much more eloquent than I have described. The pristine waterfalls, the wildlife, bubbling thermal pools and the like are simply amazing to behold. Old Faithful itself is worth the trip as well. Watching the geyser shoot water into the sky, in person, is an experience that can’t be replicated no matter now many images or videos a person has seen of the event.

Yet, one of the most memorable parts of the trip happened long after I left the park. Driving south through Sublette County presented it’s own natural splendor that tends to go unnoticed by most people. As the sun set for the day, a multitude of colors cascaded across the sky. Deep hues of violet, with vibrant streaks of red and orange painted their own breathtaking image as far as the horizon would allow. It was the kind of scene that would have made Bob Ross weep as he reached for his paint and canvas.

Ulysses S. Grant knew how special Yellowstone is when he signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act into law. Thomas Moran’s paintings of Yellowstone helped guide Grant’s pen when he signed the act, but Moran didn’t only find inspiration from the future national park. One of his most-famous paintings is of the Palisades west of town, a sight he was greeted with upon stepping off the train in Green River.

Beauty can be seen almost anywhere throughout the state, sometimes taking us by surprise when we see finally it.

That is what makes living in Wyoming so special.