Picture of HSSP chosen as overall best photo

A photo showing the steam rising from the Hot Springs State Park as sun filters through and colors the snowy ground was chosen as Best Photo, Overall in the inaugural WYde Open Spaces Photo Contest hosted by Wyoming State Parks. The picture ran on the front page of the January 5, 2017 edition of the Thermopolis Independent Record.

Stephanie Amick, who shot the photo in December 2016, said she had been driving through the buffalo pasture looking for the animals and on the way out the sight caught her eye. Though she now lives in Cody, Amick graduated from Hot Springs County High School in 1999. Her mother, Natalie Hodson, still lives here and her son, Greyson, was the first baby born in Hot Springs County in 2013.

As an award, Amick receives a one year pass for free camping at Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites. She also received a camping cook stove and a DSLR Canon camera. She was particularly excited about the camera, as she doesn’t have a lot of big equipment and mainly takes pictures as a hobby. She further added she hasn’t taken any classes.

She also plans to make good use of the camping pass and spend a lot of time at the Wind River Campground.

A photo taken by Tina Toth was the winner for best photo at Hot Springs State Park.