The American frontier refers to the advancing border that marked lands that had been settled by Europeans. A historian by the name of Frederick Jackson Turner famously said the frontier was what shaped the American character. It emphasized individualism, democracy, and reinvention. The frontier was full of untamed land, including forests, prairies, mountains, and deserts. Life on the frontier was often harsh, with unpredictable weather, limited supplies, danger due to wildlife and raids, and total isolation. But for many, the risks associated with moving westward were worth it. Hope was the heart of the frontier. People carried hope for a better life, land to call their own, to build a fortune, and a brand new start, far from their pasts. The origins of the American Frontier can be traced back to the Louisiana Purchase in 1803, when the US doubled in size, obtaining huge amounts of land to the west of the Mississippi River.
From the desert to the tops of mountains, from the prairie to a red and orange colored canyon, the western United States is home to diverse lands and incredible sights. Within the western part of the US, there are 31 National Parks. The state of California itself is home to nine National Parks. Some of these National Parks include Yellowstone, Glacier, Yosemite, Grand Canyon, Rocky Mountain, and Olympic.
The history of Western America has become immortalized within literature, film, music, art, and oral storytelling. From cowboys and outlaws to railroad expansion and the gold rush, the appeal of the old Wild West has captivated the imaginations of many around the world. The cowboy is perhaps the most famous symbol of the Wild West. Cowboys represent freedom, bravery, and self-reliance. “Cowboy tales” are the tales of freedom, detailing stories of wide open skies, untamed horses, and long rides across country where they faced challenges that proved their true grit.
The West has my heart completely. From the red dirt of Sedona to the big skies of Montana, I adore it all. I’ve loved the outdoors for as long as I can remember. Some of my favorite memories stem from the road trips I took as a young child through North Dakota, Montana, all the way to Idaho. There was something so incredible about those long drives, with hours of plains that stretched on forever, broken up with gas station stops. I was always excited about the promise of what was in store just further down the road. I remember watching the landscapes change through the window, from flat fields to rolling hills, then to mountains.
As I got older, my admiration for the West only grew.
This fall, I’m moving to Montana for college. It only felt right that I would choose to spend the next four years of my life in a place that I love so much. I’m beyond excited to live in such a beautiful state and make so many memories in the outdoors.
