February 2024 - 38

RECREATION
SECOND PLACE
Outdoor escape
Meeteetse
Thomas Vernon | Casper, Wyoming
Canon EOS RP; 1/2 sec,
f/5, ISO 3200
I
grew up in a big city, but my heart has
always belonged outdoors. Last July
when a friend offered me the chance
to venture into the backcountry, I jumped
at the opportunity. There were three guys,
four horses and a mule. We rode six miles
in without seeing another soul and set
up camp along a mountain river. It was
like riding into the past - back to a time
when life was simple and the hour didn't
matter. No schedule, no distractions. All
we had was what the land provided, what
our horses could carry and each other. I
tried to savor the moment and soak in the
knowledge and skill that my experienced
companions demonstrated. It was clear
they were in their element and at home
outdoors. While I fiddled with my camera,
they were hard at work. As evening drew
we scaled a ridge and surveyed the land
for elk. It was beautiful and daunting
as I learned firsthand the struggle of
navigating rugged, uncut terrain. We
returned to our camp as darkness closed
for dinner and to rest. The air was calm
and the night still. This photo, looking out
through our tent, was my attempt to freeze
time. To tell the story of the peace you find
when you leave everything behind, if only
for a moment, and lose and find yourself
in nature.
38 | February 2024

February 2024

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of February 2024

February 2024 - 1
February 2024 - 2
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February 2024 - 4
February 2024 - 5
February 2024 - 6
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February 2024 - 8
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February 2024 - 56
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/wyoming-wildlife-may-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2024-e-edition
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2024
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2023
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2023
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/december-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/july-2022
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/may-iak-special-issue
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/april-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/march-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/february-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/january-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/dec-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/october-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/september-2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/august-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/june-2021
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https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/January2021
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/December2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/wyominggame/WyomingWildlife/September2020
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