Writer

Amber Steinmetz

Latest from Amber Steinmetz

Cody’s First Church Was Built With Money Won In High-Stakes Poker Game

The “Poker Church,” as it’s affectionately known, was the first church built in Cody. It was partially built with winnings from a lively poker game in 1900 that included Buffalo Bill Cody.

Amber SteinmetzJuly 13, 2024

A small colony of Townsend's big-eared bats, one of the 18 species found in Wyoming.

Wyoming’s Mysterious High Country Bats Focus Of 3-Year Census

A three-year bat census is in the homestretch to study Wyoming’s high country flying mammals. Bats are important to Wyoming -- just one brown bat can eat 1,200 insects in an hour. They also pollinate more than 300 species of fruit and even more flowers.

Amber SteinmetzJuly 07, 2024

St. Alban's Chapel in the scenic Snowy Range Mountains in southern Wyoming is a favorite spot for spring and early summer weddings.

Tiny St. Alban’s Chapel In The Middle Of Nowhere A Favorite Wyoming Wedding Spot

Nestled in the Snowy Range Mountains sits a quiet mountain chapel. With stunning views of the Centennial Valley , St. Alban’s Chapel near Little Brooklyn Lake draws outdoor enthusiasts, engaged couples and parishioners of St. Matthew’s Cathedral to the site year after year.

Amber SteinmetzJuly 06, 2024

The two-story outhouse at the Grand Encampment Museum may seem odd, but actually makes sense. The second story isn't for volume use, its to use when the snow's so deep the bottom level is blocked. Also, the holes have luxurious beaver pelt covers.

Believe It Or Not, Rural Wyoming 2-Story Outhouse Makes Sense

One of the more bizarre and interesting attractions at the Grand Encampment Museum in southern Wyoming is a historic 2-story outhouse, and believe it or not, it actually makes sense.

Amber SteinmetzJune 30, 2024

Colin Hemens, from left, Hannah Darrin, Lisa McCauley, Lindsay Guerin and Linda Williamson helped start Meadowlark Market and Kitchen in Lander.

Eating Wyoming: Meadowlark Market Boosts Sales For Small Food Producers

Meadowlark Market and Kitchen in Lander offers locally grown produce and goods year-round. It's only been open a few months, but is already boosting sales for small food producers up to four times.

Amber SteinmetzJune 23, 2024

Jonny Kulow, left, and Adam Chaney of the United States react after a swim-off during the Men's 50-meter freestyle semifinal on Day Six of the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Swimming Trials at Lucas Oil Stadium on June 20, 2024, in Indianapolis, Indiana.

Lander Swimmer Jonny Kulow Part Of Rare Double Swim-Off At Olympic Trials

Jonny Kulow was one of the most decorated athletes in Wyoming prep swimming history in Lander. On Thursday, the five-time Pac-12 Conference champion was part of a rare double swim-off at the U.S. Olympic Trials in Indianapolis.

Amber SteinmetzJune 23, 2024

Wagonhound is one of the finest, large commercial Red Angus producers in the market.

Douglas-Area Ranch Owners Donate $2.5 Million To Help Innovate Wyoming Ag Industry

The owners of a Douglas-area ranch have donated $2.5 million to the University of Wyoming to empower the Ranch Management and Agricultural Leadership Program. The goal is to help innovate the agriculture industry to protect its future in Wyoming.

Amber SteinmetzJune 09, 2024

Bull rider Clayton Savage was followed for 14 months for the documentary "Savage, the Relentless Pursuit of a Dream." The film shows the triumphs and challenges pro rodeo competitors face during the grueling season.

Wyoming Bull Rider’s Relentless 10-Year Comeback Featured In New Documentary

At 37-years-old, Yoder bull rider Clayton Savage isn't done. Although 60 injuries have taken its toll on the NFR-qualifying cowboy, he's back in top form and the focus of a new documentary: "Savage, the Relentless Pursuit of a Dream."

Amber SteinmetzMay 05, 2024

A brown bear in Katmai National Park walking through the Brooks River with a sockeye salmon after a successful catch. This bear had been fishing unsuccessfully for quite a while before he finally caught a fish and proudly carried it to shore to eat before returning to his fishing spot.

From Wyoming To Alaska, Cody Photographer Is All About The Bears

When Cody wildlife photographer Julia Cook traveled to Alaska, her goal was to capture a Kodiak with a sockeye salmon in its mouth. It was the end of the season and the lone bear she found was having a "terrible time fishing." But he finally got it, and so did she.

Amber SteinmetzMarch 17, 2024

Bettie Marie Daniels enjoys the celebration honoring her lifetime commitment to Girl Scouts. Daniels was recognized for 75 years of dedicated service to the organization recently at the Etoquinnow Girl Scout House in Cody.

Wyoming’s Bettie Daniels, 90, An Active Girl Scout 75 Years And Counting

Bettie Marie Daniels of Cody, Wyoming, first became a Girl Scout in 1939, and the 90-year-old has spent most of her adult life actively involved in the organization — 75 years and counting.

Amber SteinmetzMarch 16, 2024

Bruce Tippets grew up in Riverton and now makes sports dreams come true for people with serious health challenges with his nonprofit, Dreams in Motion.

Former Riverton Man Nearly Died, Now Makes Sports Dreams Come True For Others

Bruce Tippets grew up in Riverton and nearly died before getting a kidney transplant. Now to help others dealing with serious health challenges, he provides first-class sports experiences so "for a little while, they don't have to worry about anything."

Amber SteinmetzMarch 02, 2024

Jenn Green of Gillette has had her northeast Wyoming hometown behind her through three heart transplant surgeries.

After Third Heart Transplant, Wyoming Woman Says Every Day Is A Gift From God

Jenn Green of Gillette, who is recovering from her third heart transplant, says she wants to be an inspiration to others, give them hope and make them believe they should never give up. "Most of all trust in the Lord. I believe that is my purpose," she says.

Amber SteinmetzFebruary 24, 2024

Other Authors

The Medicine Wheel and Medicine Mountain National Historic Landmark in 2011. The rock circle is about 80 feet in diameter, with 28 '"spokes" radiating from a central cairn, five cairns around the rim and a sixth slightly outside the perimeter.

Bighorn Medicine Wheel In Wyoming Draws Thousands Of Visitors Every Year

Some believe the Medicine Wheel in the Bighorn National Forest is a vision quest site. Others believe it is a representation of a sun dance circle or an astronomical observatory and calendar. To many Native Americans it is “the place where the eagle lands.”

Amber SteinmetzFebruary 19, 2024

The relaxed neighborhood feel at Pat's Brew House brings in many regular customers.

Drinking Wyoming: Pat’s Brew House In Cody "Where Everybody Knows Your Name"

When Norfleet Gifford bought Pat’s Brew House in Cody, her goal was to create a neighborhood-bar feel similar to the TV show “Cheers.” And even with temperatures below zero recently, the place was packed with regulars.

Amber SteinmetzFebruary 18, 2024

Jose Torres and Julianna Aycock of Thaw Tech Solutions have created a snow melting machine that saves customers time and money for snow removal.

Wyoming Couple Turn Napkin Sketch Into Industrial Snow Melting Machine

After seeing huge piles of plowed snow last winter, a Riverton, Wyoming, couple was inspired. A quick napkin sketch became Thaw Tech Solutions, a custom-built industrial machine used to melt snow and release it into the drainage system.

Amber SteinmetzFebruary 10, 2024

Bryson Quinney, who received a heart transplant in 2020, is pictured with the new Donate Life license plate, which became available in Wyoming on Jan. 1. He was born with half a heart and had several surgeries early in life, including a heart transplant.

Wyoming Teen Born With Half A Heart Champions New ‘Donate Life’ License Plate

Lyman's Bryson Quinney was born with half a heart and was saved by a heart transplant in 2020, now he and his father are champions for organ donation, including pushing for Wyoming’s new “Donate Life” license plates.

Amber SteinmetzJanuary 28, 2024

Wyoming bestselling author Craig Johnson is releasing the latest story in his Walt Longmire saga, "First Frost," in May.

Craig Johnson’s New Longmire Novel Takes Sheriff Walt Back To Summer 1964

Wyoming author Craig Johnson will release his 20th novel in May, “First Frost." Only this time, it’s 1964, and Walt Longmire is in his early 20s and has just been drafted into the Vietnam War.

Amber SteinmetzJanuary 27, 2024

Thomas Turiano and Forrest McCarthy on the summit of Mount Helen, Turiano's final" Select Peak" in August 2023.

After 20 Years, New Edition Of Yellowstone’s 'Bible' For Mountain Peaks Is Out

Thomas Turiano’s “Select Peaks of Greater Yellowstone” came out 20 years ago and mountaineers say it's become the 'bible' of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem's mountains. A long-awaited second edition has finally been released.

Amber SteinmetzJanuary 20, 2024

Left, EMT Duane Barker and Paramedic Lisa Gunyan were awarded the Stork Award after a recent field delivery in Gillette. Center and right, Campbell County Fire Department Engineer Matthew Gray, from left, Capt. Rob Dickey and firefighter Sam Newton. All were recently awarded STORK Awards after assisting in the field delivery of a newborn child.

When Midwife Couldn’t Be There, Gillette EMS Was There For Home Birth

When Esther Nielsen went into labor and her midwife was held up because of bad weather, a handful of Campbell County firefighters and EMS crew responded to her home outside the city and were there for her home birth.

Amber SteinmetzJanuary 15, 2024

Mark McKenna and his family created the card game Royal Turmoil, which is for sale on Amazon. The McKennas are, from left, front, Lexi, Grant and Jamie; back, Macie, Mark, Hailey, Sheena and Natalie.

Powell Man’s Late-Night Lightbulb Moment Becomes National-Selling Card Game

Nearly three years after Mark McKenna of Powell had a late-night lightbulb moment, his family’s new card game, Royal Turmoil, is selling around the U.S. and increasing in sales every month.

Amber SteinmetzDecember 17, 2023

A group of 4-H participants decorate their snowmen for the Community Christmas Celebration.

Artist Makes 300 Wooden Snowmen, One For Every Family In 3 Big Horn County Towns

With none of her children and grandchildren living nearby, Pauline Parker wanted to do something for the area. So she painted 300 wooden snowmen — one for every family in Burlington, Otto and Emblem.

Amber SteinmetzDecember 03, 2023