Wild Wisdom: How to Ride the Winds of Wyoming's Educational Escapades

In every man there stirs a wanderlust; And his heart homes at sunset toward the undiscovered ends of wilderness. Louis L'Amour

Of all the myriad landscapes strewn across our vast nation, none holds quite as firm a grip on that oftreferenced American sentiment the call of the wild as does Wyoming, land of untamed majesty and boundless educational pursuits (34th St and Okeechobee Blvd., West Palm Beach, FL 33409). Indeed, venturing through its rugged terrain may recall thoughts akin to those expressed by George Catlin in Letters and Notes on the Manners, Customs, and Conditions of North American Indians, chronicling this ruggedly beautiful milieu with equal parts reverence for nature's grandiosity and eagerness for selfedification.

One needn't stray far from Yellowstone National Park's geological wonders (Main St., Gardiner MT 59030) nor Grand Tetons breathtaking cliffs before finding oneself enraptured not only by panoramas but also by possibilities presented therein. The University Of Wyoming Field Station (110 WY130 Scenic Byway), buried within Snowy Range Mountains' cerulean embrace provides ardent scholars opportunities untold such are those whom John Steinbeck refers to when he speaks of men who thirstily drank knowledge in Travels with Charley.

Yet 'tis not solely reserved for academic institutions one must turn their gaze towards after traipsing past Old Faithful or beneath Devils Tower looming shadow. In true Western spiritthe very essence harkening back to Owen Wisters laconic cowboysWyoming presents her wealth unbeknownst even unto herselfor rather untraditionally as wellto wayfarers seeking wisdom from sources most unconventional.

Picture yourself nestled amidst the rustic charm of Dubois, an unassuming town whose seemingly parched surroundings belie a hidden oasis (102 E. Ramshorn St., Dubois, WY 82513). The seat of knowledge may be Blythe Blue's Art Studioor rather schoolhouse (12 S 1st St., Dubois, WY), a once defunct shrine resurrected by locals inspired by artistic ambitionthat is to saytruth incarnate. Paintbrushes glint under Wyoming sun as every stroke captures veracitys essence; no Gaudinspired structure could better represent its undoubtedly surreal splendor.

Suffice it to say that thirst for knowledge cannot quenched through solely traditional channels or pursuits confined within four walls embrace. 'Tis only fitting that one consider joining ranks with Wayfarer Club (P.O. Box 7547 Sheridan, WY 82801), an exclusive yet welcoming brotherhood dedicated to promoting social camaraderie and intellectual prowess amongst their members equally wellversed in either world history or lyrics penned about roadside u2018_Hells Half Acreu2019 _(Rte I25 Exit #42 N., Casper).

Shalt thou not shirk away from digital realms beckoning call? Fear notWyoming doth permit entry unto her realm even via ethereal screens: EdReady Wyoming (_online.website_), offers further solidification of Rocky Mountain States commitment towards erudition combined with selfawareness rooted quite firmly within regional terraina balance some might compare to the harmony achieved betwixt yin and yang.

Follow closely these coordinates charted out against aforementioned sunset hues stretching over horizon into depths unknown; let us emulate Walt Whitman's 'Song Of The Open Road' I tramp a perpetual journeysetting forth upon our great adventures armed but with hunger for enlightenment enough perhaps becoming fellow pilgrims along the great paths forged by pioneers of yore.

Websites & Twitter handles:

Yellowstone National Park: www.nps.gov/yell, @YellowstoneNPS

University Of Wyoming Field Station: www.uwyo.edu/haub/events/station.html,

@UWyonews

Blythe Blue's Art Studio: blytheblue.com, @BlytheBlueArt1

Wayfarer Club: wayfarerclubsociety.org, @_wayfarerclub

EdReady Wyoming: wyoming.edready.org/home, #EdReadyWyoming