Thank you Wyoming, and Goodnight!

The snow is piling up high and I'm glad I made it to the warmth of my home in time. I just made my final ride across the state of Wyoming, into Utah, Arizona, Nevada, and back again. I step down off my Courts Saddlery saddle, and tie my American Quarter Horse mare to the rail. My Dan Post boots keep my feet safe from the ice and snow beneath them, and my Star of the West Hat helps keep my body warmth in as I face the bitter wind that blows across this state.

Thankful I actually didn't make the trip on my horse, but instead in my "Live The West" Albany County Tourism decal truck. I can imagine though what the final journey would have been like for the cattle drives of the Wyoming Territory. Seeing the glowing lights of home welcoming you with warm arms, but the acknowledgment that the final drive is done. The thought tightens my throat, and my heart beats just a little faster. So, as I pulled into the drive way, my truck turns into my horse, and the garage slims down to a tack room where my saddle will be stored until the next I might be asked to join a drive across the territory. I make my way inside and settle by the fire, thinking back to my latest journey, a drive to "Sin City".

My trip to Las Vegas was an amazing way to conclude my year as Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011. I had a reunion with 26 of my very closest friends! We spent a week taking in the sights of the MGM Grand Hotel and a few other attractions such as the Tournament of Kings in the Excalibur. We watched the 6th performance of the Wrangler National Finals Rodeo where I cheered on the 7 Wyoming representatives. It was so much fun dressing in vintage outfits with these girls, each giving an amazing display of the early cowgirl styles. We danced on stage to various movie theme songs, and most of all, we all shared these experiences together! Did I forget to mention that while we were having the time of our lives, we were also competing in the Miss Rodeo America 2012 Pageant. The pageant was a great time, and congratulations to MacKenzie Carr, formally Miss Rodeo Oregon, for winning the title! I know she will represent rodeo great this coming up year and I'm excited to help host her in Cody, Wyoming. I may not have brought home an award from the pageant, but I know that I upheld Wyoming's Cowboy Code Of the West this past year and while in Las Vegas. I lived each day with courage trying new things, meeting new people, and becoming a better person. I took pride in the work I did this year and in Las Vegas, not wanting to change a thing. I finished every job I started, never breaking my smile, or stepping out of my saddle when I needed to be in it. I did what had to be done and I did it without being asked. I was tough this year, as many of my fellow queens would agree to, but I was fair knowing that not everyone was exactly like me. When I made a promise, I kept it even if it meant staying up late or waking up early to do interviews and autograph signings. I rode for the brand of Wyoming and all of my sponsors. I tried to talk less and say more, and I did that by just smiling at every person I could. I know that some things aren't for sale, but when they are, find the best price you can! And know where to draw the line.

My line is drawn December 31, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. At the moment I will be at the Miss Laramie Jubilee Days 2012 Queen Coronation and Fundraiser. I will have been introduced for the final time as Miss Rodeo Wyoming 2011, and I will have watched Kodie Lester become the new Miss Laramie Jubilee Days Queen. Laramie Jubilee Days holds a place in my heart, especially New Year's Eve. I was the first queen for Jubilee Days to have her coronation on New Year's Eve. On December 31, 2005 I started my journey to become Miss Rodeo Wyoming by being crowned Miss Laramie Jubilee Days 2006, and exactly 6 years later, my journey comes to an end. My line is drawn. As soon as the clock strikes midnight, as if living the tale of Cinderella, my crown and title will be passed to the best person I can think of, Kimberly Kuhn. She will begin her year and she will live by the Wyoming Code of the West, and she will have the most amazing experience of her life, just as I have.

So as that night draws near, I sit by the fireplace, dog sleeping at my feet, stars shining through the window panes; my pony is in the corral, my saddle is put neatly away, and the tack room door is shut one final time. I will make my way out into the crisp Wyoming winter air, and I will say one last time, "Thank you Wyoming! Thank you for letting me take this ride of my life!"

Ate breakfast at the Cracker Barrel in Springville, UT

One of many carts with my stuff being moved into the MGM

My parents and I watched the 1st performance of the WNFR in the Hollywood Theater at the MGM Grand.

Thank you Sharil Palaggi with MGM Grand for giving my parents and I the VIP treatment that night! What a great start in Las Vegas!

Being introduced during the sponsor break at the live feed of the WNFR in the MGM Grand.

Tyler Willis, PRCA Bullrider, and I were "Team Albany County". This was his first year competing at the WNFR, and certainly not the last!! Great Job Tyler!
~Live The West!~

Talking with my Cody Stampede crew at the Team Wyoming Breakfast.

Wyoming Governor, Matt Mead, wishing Tyler and I the best of luck during our week in Las Vegas.

Talking with the Richard family from Cody. They are again reminding me that I am spelling my last name wrong. I love these people and can't wait to see them next time I'm in Cody.

Talking with Guy and Marci Warpness from the Laramie Jubilee Days Board. Congratulations to them and the LJD Board for being voted the Most Improved Rodeo in the Mountain States Circuit.

My dad and I talking with MRWA member and Wyoming State Fair Director, James Goodrich. Make sure to join us in Douglas, Wyoming in August of 2012 for the 100th Anniversary of the Wyoming State Fair.

With Siri Stevens, Rodeo News, and Kimberly Kuhn at the Team Wyoming Breakfast. She was fun at every rodeo I saw her at! She loves her job!

With Fred McClanahan, an amazing rodeo photographer I had the pleasure of working with this year, and Kimberly Kuhn at the Team Wyoming Breakfast the day before the pageant started.

I had the pleasure of signing autographs at Cowboy Christmas with Tyler Willes and Seth Glause. These guys were a hoot! Seth had won the round the night before, and Tyler won a paycheck too!! They were on cloud nine that afternoon! Good Job Boys!

Kim even found Tuff Hedeman at Cowboy Christmas!

We rehearsed right out of our boots! But don't worry.......

....Dan Post had our feet!
(Thanks Greg for EVERYTHING!!!)

The "Prince" from the Excalibur Dinner Show

"RUSSIA!!!!" Was sad the rider from my home wasn't riding, but our rider was a blast. I think he really enjoyed have 13 rodeo queens scream "RUSSIA" each time he rode by.