I love a parade

The Fourth of July is celebrated here as part of Pioneer Days. While other places play up the spirit of Team America on the anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, here it is more about the independence itself. This is a place where people are bonded by the harsh geography and isolation. It takes a special kind of person to want to live here and once a year we get together to celebrate the collective drum beat of our distinct rhythm.

We feel strongly about our animals. This little girl is heir apparent to a pack llama operation. Hiking? Not excited about carrying your own gear? Rent a llama!

We are passionate about guns. (When I say we, I mean them.) I took about 30 pictures of this boy and his toy rifle complete with scope. It so clearly symbolizes Wyoming to me, where you no longer need a permit to carry a concealed weapon.

We love our rodeo queens. Note the fancy chaps.

We love our heritage. This man is in his 80s and has his team up and down main street for fun whenever he feels like it. He drove a team across the country on an Oregon trail anniversary ride not too many years ago. The front wagon is a chuckwagon (his name is Chuck) and the back one a sheepwagon.

We love the outdoors. This town is home to the International Climber's Festival because the local climbing opportunities are outstanding.

We love our public lands. In Wyoming, the Forest Service and Bureau of Land Management preserve 34 percent of the state for multipurpose uses (mining, camping, wildlife, grazing, logging, etc.)

We love our thrills. This flame could be heard a mile away and heated the street up by 20 degrees. It is the base of a hot air balloon And this kind made me dizzy just watching him skate back and forth, back and forth. On a moving vehicle!

We love our kids. This does not mean we bubble-wrap them, however. When I moved here, I was astonished to see children riding horses on their own at this age. Without helmets! Don't even get me started on the junior rodeo craziness - imagine this tot barrel racing at top speeds (again, sans helmet). I may be a little to East coast to ever get used to this.

We love our cowboys! The Wyoming bucking horse is EVERYTHING here, including the University mascot. There was not even a little discussion about what would adorn the Wyoming quarter. The rider in this image was a man named Stub Farlow, who called this town home. The horse was named Steamboat.

We love our horses. These three are friends of ours. One is in training, learning from the other two. They are pulling an Indian drum group from the nearby reservation.

Sorry, I couldn't resist another one. This was too Lee Harvey Oswald not to post.

We love to do it our way. This guy was a great surprise since he was flanked by two outriders and I didn't see him until they paused for a second and let him get ahead. Note the expression on the girl's face. I don't think she's from these parts. If you remember my thoughts on steer jumping, you'll understand how much this made me giggle.

We love our neighbors. The Eastern Shoshone tribe and Northern Arapaho tribe live here and I love learning about their history and culture. Her outfit and her horse's gear are all hand-beaded!

We also love our Indian princesses! Why they are princesses and not queens, I don't know.Her headdress (the Shoshone rose) and her front piece (not sure what it is really called) are all beaded.

 
And of course, we love our country.

Oh, and the view. 

How does your town celebrate Independence Day?