The South Dakota Cowgirl

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#ThatsWY, Part One

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I hope you followed along via Instagram, for my wild, western, epic Wyoming adventure, but if you didn’t, never fear. I’m going to give you all the details — here and now — in part one. And, if you want to catch up on the adventures of everyone in the squad, check out the hashtag, #WYinNov, across all social media platforms.

When *Travel Wyoming contacted me about this trip, I was excited, to say the least. I’ve been through Wyoming a couple times. Previously I’ve visited the Laramie County Community College. Been by and seen where they host the “Daddy of ‘Em All”, Cheyenne Frontier Days Rodeo (totally on my bucket list to compete in). And, of course, I’ve been to King Ropes and Buck Brannaman’s Ranch  (both in Sheridan, WY). 

Wyoming, #ThatsWY, Mountains, South Dakota Cowgirl Photography, Sunrise in Wyoming

This trip was going to take me to places I’ve never been but always wanted to go — Devil’s Tower and Durham Bison Ranch to name two. Plus, we’d get to hang out with Josh Dorr, a Gillette Native, who is a singer/songwriter based out of Nashville. He’s dripping with authenticity and talent, but we’ll get to that later! Confession: I’m still listening to him on repeat.

Before we get too wrapped up in all the fun, please find the squad members listed below, so you can check out (and hopefully) enjoy their Instagram Feeds:

Brandon Eckroth from Minnesota — Brandon is a very talented landscape photographer. He can also play the piano like it’s no one’s business. 

Hunter and Cameron Premo from Nashville. They seriously have to be about the cutest couple on the entire planet. They’re warm, genuine and fun. Hunter has a gorgeous blog where she gets into all things girly. When I grow up, I want to learn to be girly. 

Kate Dearman — She splits her time in two states, and is an amazing photographer.  Part of her full-time job is covering Josh at his events. She is extremely talented and I love how she sees the world through her lens. 

Josh Dorr — Singer/Songwriter/Recording Artist, all-around bad-ass, and Wyoming native. 

We were hosted by Tia and Amanda from the Wyoming Office of tourism. They’re so fun, and both are talented ladies with loads of energy!  

Since I was the closest of the group, I drove from home to Gillette, from where our adventure would launch.

We began with lunch at the Gillette Brewing Company. They get to boast that they were Gillette’s first micro-brewery. The beer is tasty and cold. And the pizza is, to quote Rachel Ray, Yum-O! I had their beer of the month — the Longreach Cream Ale — it’s like cream soda in grown up form. Mmmmmm! It was a great place to start the trip, and I really want to go back. I bet that joint hops on the weekend when they have live music!

Next, we toured the Frontier Auto Museum. I have never been to a place quite like it. I enjoy museums a lot, actually. You could spend hours looking at all the signage, and vintage cars. Some are even in their original condition. It’s a glimpse into Americana that I’ve never seen before and it was amazing. The owner can tell you story after story about the items featured in the museum. Make sure you peek in on their website, and check out their Facebook and Instagram profiles. I’d love to go back and take my dad and brother. They’d have a great time.

Frontier Auto Museum, #thatswy, gillette, wyoming
Frontier Auto Museum, #thatswy, gillette, wyoming
Frontier Auto Museum, #thatswy, gillette, wyoming

From there we headed to the Ranch at Ucross. I’m not going to lie — this was what I was looking forward to the most that day (I mean besides meeting the crew and Josh). Can you blame a ranch girl for wanting to get to another ranch? I hardly think so. Plus, we had a private jam session with Josh on our agenda for the evening, and I was really looking forward to that.  Each member of the squad was accommodated in a private cabin, The Aspen Cabins. They were so cute. The ranch is secluded just outside the Big Horn Mountains, which I happen to love.  There was a happy hour, in which our host, Eric, served great wine, and great conversation. He raises german shorthair pointers, and frankly they stole the show — especially Holly, the 12 week old pup!

holly, the ranch at ucross, #thatswy

 

Eric is the ranch manager, one of the hunting guides and he takes guests riding in the summer. There are more activities at the ranch and in the area than you could likely do on a vacation, but you should try anyway!   I’ll recommend staying at the ranch and shopping at King Ranch Saddle Shop as a MUST do. 

We were served beef for supper, of course. My ribeye was cooked to perfection, which for me means, it’s almost still mooing.  

Finishing up the night with Josh playing was a great end to a fun day. I could have listened to him play all night, but an early morning called me to be the first to bed. Horses and riding awaited me on the next step in this journey. 

josh dorr, the ranch at ucross, #thatswy, taylor guitar

josh dorr, the ranch at ucross, #thatswy

josh dorr, the ranch at ucross, #thatswy

Until next time, Happy Trails! 

*This post was sponsored by Travel Wyoming. 

About ~The South Dakota Cowgirl~

Jenn Zeller is the creative mind and boss lady behind The South Dakota Cowgirl. She is an aspiring horsewoman, photographer, brilliant social media strategist and lover of all things western.

After a brief career in the investment world to support her horse habit (and satisfy her mother, who told her she had to have a “real” job after graduating college), she finally took the leap and stepped away from a regular income; trading the business suit once and for all for cowgirl boots, a hat, and jeans. She has not looked back.

When Jenn first moved to The DX Ranch on the South Dakota plains, she never imagined she’d find herself behind a camera lens capturing an authentic perspective of ranching, and sharing it with others. Jenn has always been called to artistry, and uses music, writing, images, home improvement, and her first true love of horses to express her ranching passion.

Horses are the constant thread and much of her work centers around using her unique style of writing to share her horsemanship journey with others in publications such as CavvySavvy, the AQHA Ranching Blog, the West River Eagle, the family ranch website, and her own website.

Using photography to illustrate her stories has created other opportunities -- Jenn’s brand “The South Dakota Cowgirl” has grown to the level of social media “Influencer”. This notoriety has led to work with Duluth Trading Company, Budweiser, Wyoming Tourism, Vice, Circle Z Ranch and Art of the Cowgirl, to name a few. She also serves as a brand ambassador for Woodchuck USA, Arenus Equine Health, Triple Crown Feed and Just Strong fitness apparel. Her photography has been featured by Instagram, Apple, TIME Magazine, The Huffington Post, and Oprah Magazine. Jenn’s work has been published internationally, has been seen in several books and has graced the covers of several magazines.

Jenn became a social media influencer by accident when she started to explore Instagram as a way to share her life on the ranch with folks that don’t get to experience it. It’s grown into an incredible platform that she uses to empower women, create an environment for self improvement and share life on the ranch.

When she’s not working, she loves to drink coffee, play with her naughty border collie named Copper, start ranch colts, and run about the country chasing cans. Her mother still thinks she doesn’t have a “real” job.

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