Cheyenne Resident to Have Wish Fulfilled with Trip to Yellowstone

AARP Wyoming Photo

Paul Terry, 79, of Cheyenne, is going to Yellowstone thanks to Wish of A Lifetime, a charitable affiliate that grants life-changing wishes to older adults and redefines aging in America.

Terry’s trip will commence with a send-off at AARP Wyoming’s offices in Cheyenne on Monday morning. Starting next week, he will embark on a four-day, three-night, all-inclusive trip to Yellowstone, where he will experience highlights such as Old Faithful, the Grand Prismatic Spring, geysers, and Yellowstone Lake. Terry says he “wants to see it all.”

Terry is an avid walker known for his friendly presence around town. Whether at Lion’s Park or walking the mall during inclement weather, Paul is a familiar face, often sharing Hershey’s Kisses and dog treats from his walker. While Paul’s goal is 10,000 steps a day, he often exceeds 20,00 when he’s feeling up to it.

This spring, Terry joined the newly formed AARP Mall Walking group, which meets Tuesdays and Thursdays at 8 am in front of Renzios. He quickly became a beloved member of the group, sharing his love for walking and confiding that he loved the group as it helps him to combat loneliness. During one of these walks, Terry mentioned his dream of visiting Yellowstone National Park, a place he hadn't seen since a brief visit in his youth.

An AARP staffer overheard Terry’s wish and nominated him for a Wish of a Lifetime from AARP. This charitable affiliate grants life-changing wishes to older adults and aims to redefine aging in America. Following a thorough vetting process by a committee, selected wishes are then assigned a Wish Specialist in Denver to coordinate the wish with the recipient, nominator, family, and friends to plan the experience.

Wish of a Lifetime continuously grants wishes to deserving individuals. If you know someone over 65, nominate them at wishofalifetime.org.