Cowboy Joe grows up

My little brother Travis was in town for the Wyoming-Nebraska game recently.  He had the following observations on Cowboy Joe, Wyoming’s iconic symbol:

1983

Check the two photos of Cowboy Joe, the great Wyoming icon.

One is off a 1983 license plate I snagged from the farmstead. The other is modern Cowboy Joe, the one you can buy at the UW campus bookstore.

The ’83 Joe is certainly a tough son of a bitch, as those who break horses tend to be.  He’s handy with a lasso and accurate at 500 yards with a .30-06.  He’s got a dip in and has brawled with bigger’n the likes o’ you.

But ’83 Joe is 5’9″, 153lbs soaking wet.  He wears 28 inch Wranglers and never has to scoot the seat back when he drives somebody else’s pickup.  His Adam’s apple juts out from a skinny neck and his cowlick resists combing.

The ’83 horse is likewise underwhelming.  He can’t stand more than 14 hands high, and lacks muscles to fill up the space between his legs or round out the haunches.

2011

Now look at modern Joe.  He’s a strapping lad, 6’2″, 205, with a square jaw and a tattoo he hasn’t told his g’ma about.  His steed is worthy, with rippled shoulders and broad hooves; grain fed with a lush coat & clear eyes.

Man and beast have prospered since 1983 – must’a been a good 28 years in Wyoming.