The saying “Wyoming, like no place on earth” holds a different meaning as we prepare to say goodbye. My husband and his 4 kiddos have moved towns, schools, and states before but this will be a 1st for my 23 yr old son and myself. The excitement to discover new things, be in a different part of the country, and experience opportunities to expand our futures is equalled by sadness of everything we are leaving behind. I can think about the many conversations had with others over the years about how bad they wanted out of this town/state. I know many have left and gotten “sucked” back due to the imaginary magnet that just won’t let people leave. I’m pretty certain that won’t be the case with us. So then, how to say goodbye and honor all Wyoming has given me.

I was 2 when we moved here from Arizona. My mom dealt with major culture shock going from Phoenix to an area with around 50 people total. I imagine I will feel the same only opposite, going from 60,000 to 180,000 people. I grew up with Wyoming cowboy values and morals. Friends are like extended family, everyone watches out for each other, a stranger is a friend you haven’t met yet, wave to other trucks passed on dirt roads, leave gates open if they were open and shut them if they were shut. When desperate times hit a community member, it doesn’t matter if you aren’t friends, you help out in any way you can. Smile at people on the sidewalk and hold doors for those behind you. I feel these can be taken with me to wherever I go and will actually fit quite well in the South.

I think I fell in love with Chattanooga due to the subtle things that remind me of Casper. Everyone we came across was friendly and willing to help travelers. They have the Tennessee River flowing through the town and we have the North Platte. They have Lookout Mountain and Signal Mountain & Casper has Casper Mountain & Muddy Mountain. Chattanooga is situated in the valley between the Appalachian Mountains & the Cumberland Plateau and Casper is a hop, skip, and a jump from the Big Horns & Cloud Peak Wilderness Area. Casper has the Big Horn/Bridger Teton National Forest, Chattanooga is a short drive to the Talladega National Forest. Casper has Rotary Falls and Tennessee has a new water fall with every rain storm! Casper has the Bridle Trail….I WILL HAVE THE APPALACHIAN TRAIL!!!

Now, in all this excitement it has not escaped me that we are moving into tornado alley. We are also moving into a flood zone in the Tennessee Valley. The Tennessee Valley Authority has taken many measures, including a whole ass lake on top of Lookout Mountain, to make sure the river doesn’t spill over as historically it has, but there is still the rain and hurricane leftovers that can cause issues. Although there isn’t much snow that happens in the valley, ice is a deal and will shut down the area fast. Winds that wouldn’t be looked at as dangerous here (35-40 miles an hr) are scary there due to the moisture in the ground causing trees to be blown over pretty easily. I know we are trading one type of Mother Natures tantrums with a whole new set. At this time, as we await -20 temps in Wyoming, we’re ok with that. (I do however reserve the right to freak out during a weather event & beg for a blizzard once we move! Haha)

Just like when we go places in Wyoming as a family, we will be seeking out a ton of amazing free/cheap things to do. Chattanooga is known for its rich Civil War History complete with battle grounds, museums, and reenactments! In Wyoming the kids have learned how the west was won, in Tennessee they will learned how the country was shaped! The Chattanooga Zoo & Aquarium are both cheaper than Denver and there is an old Carousel by the river walk that you can ride for just a dollar! (A family of 7 appreciates those kinda prices!!) We will have multiple free outings we can implement for rewards for good behavior also!! The Children’s Discovery Center, a drive to the Fairy Caves, Ruby Falls, Rock City, the before mentioned zoo & aquatics center, parks galore, every type of food you can think of, the history museum, trail upon trails to explore, and waterfalls up the wazoo!! If the weather allows, we will be exploring!

So although this will be a big step for our family in regards to the distance away that we are moving and the size of city we are relocating to, you can see the subtle ways that Chattanooga reminded us of Casper when we were searching for the right town in Tennessee to settle. (Pigeon Forge is another possible future location for the same reasons and smaller population). But if we are being really honest, our family deserves better. My husband deserves a job that pays what he is worth, our 4 youngest deserve to see their biological mom on holidays, my 23 yr old deserves a chance to chase his love for music, and I deserve a chance to discover who I am without who I use to be haunting me. Most importantly, our family deserves a house where we can all fit instead of 2 apartments that total less than it would be to rent a house in Casper. Thats right, even when I was working at NCSD we couldn’t afford a 4 bedroom house here! Yet a bump in pay in Chattanooga and lower rent prices have given us that gift! I can’t think of a better reason than living together as a family to move 22 hours away, and also find it sad that moving is the only way to see that happen.

See, we aren’t one of the masses that just want out of this state. Not even true at all. We have opportunities for better lives in all aspects Mind, Body, and Soul to make this move. If you know us personally and have struggled at the thought of us leaving, just have those amazing kids of ours in your thoughts and how they will form a better bond with their momma. Think about the possibility of us buying a house as a family one day! Think about my son in a studio with music professionals that can help move him forward. Think of all the amazing pictures my husband will capture and the fantastic FB Lives I will do! Mostly, think about visiting us!! We can always throw up an air mattress and our living room can be your instant home away from home, no hotels needed! (Don’t even think about saying “It’s too far” cuz after making the trip the last 5 years, it’s really not!) Don’t miss us, come see us!

Wyoming will be with us in whispers in the trees, movement of the water, and crisp mountain air. It will be with us as we smile at others we hope to make our friends, learn southern ways while showing our western backgrounds, and by keeping all we have loved close to our hearts. I will ALWAYS be a Wyoming girl with Wyoming roots. Bottom line, in order to have experiences you’ve always dreamed of, you have to go places you’ve never been. In order to realize dreams you’ve always dreamed of, you have to do the things you’ve always feared. We hope after the shock of us moving slowly fades that our circle here in Wyoming begins to feel the excitement for our new adventure and supports us facing this big fear (more ME than us! Lol) & expanding our horizons. Know also that as you follow our shenanigans that you’re right there with us, in the whispers of Wyoming that we hold in our hearts.

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