The heart behind it all
LaWanna Windley-Ford
1971 — 2022
Some people leave footprints on your heart and tire tracks in the mountains. That was my sister.
The heart behind Wanna Ride Foundation
LaWanna left us way too soon on Mother's Day 2022, at 51. But here's the thing about my sister — she never did anything halfway, including teaching me to love Wyoming's wild places. (Though I'm pretty sure she laughed at my first attempts at trail navigation.)
So when it came to honoring her memory, I figured "why not go big?" — just like she would have done. That's how the Wanna Ride Foundation was born: our shared love of outdoor adventures, pointed at something that would make a real difference in people's lives.
This foundation is built on the love between siblings. When you lose one, you have to do something to keep their memory alive. This is my something.
Most of the people who ride with us never got to meet LaWanna. That's alright. They know her anyway — every August, on a mountain she'd have loved, doing exactly the sort of thing she'd have signed up for first.
— Patty Leatherwood, Founder & Director
Two things that would make her grin
Scholarships
We help students chase their dreams
Through the Wanna Ride Foundation Scholarship Fund. If there's one thing my sister believed in, it was helping others reach for the stars — though she'd probably add, "just make sure you've got a good map first."
See the scholarship →Trails
We show some love to Wyoming's trails
Southeast Wyoming's OHV trails aren't just paths through the wilderness. They're gateways to adventure, memory-makers, and occasionally humbling experiences that make for great stories later.
See the rides →"Nature's beauty is meant to be explored, not just viewed through a window."
— LaWannaA legacy of love, laughter, and living life to the fullest
A proud Jackson Hole High School graduate, LaWanna called Star Valley, Wyoming home — and anyone who knew her would tell you she made it a brighter place just by being there.
She collected friends
If there was ever someone who could turn strangers into friends in record time, it was LaWanna. Armed with her signature smile and a genuine interest in everyone she met, she had this magical way of making you feel like the most interesting person in the room. Her laugh was as contagious as a yawn in a meeting, but way more fun.
Her backyard was a slice of Wyoming heaven
Part garden paradise, part hobby farm, all hers. Those gardens weren't just gardens — they were her pride and joy, blooming with the same vibrant energy she brought to everything. Her home was a warm and welcoming place for two-legged and four-legged friends alike.
The mountains called every summer
Come summer, you'd find LaWanna heading up as soon as the snow melted. She turned camping into an art form, creating memories under the stars and proving that the best adventures usually come with a side of marshmallows and mountain air.
She showed up for her community
She poured her energy into the Star Valley Mud Bogs fundraiser, helping local charities while adding her particular warmth to every event. Her LDS faith was her compass, guiding her with grace and strength — though she never lost that playful streak along the way.
LaWanna didn't just live life — she embraced it with open arms, a ready smile, and a heart full of love. She showed us all how to find joy in the simple things, love without limits, and laugh like you mean it.
She may have left us too soon, but her spirit lives on in every garden that blooms, every kindness shared, and every laugh that echoes across the Wyoming skies she loved so much.
So what is the Wanna Ride Scavenger Hunt?
A memorial ride through the Snowy Range with a treasure hunt bolted onto it. You get a mission list on the morning of the ride, and the missions run from "take a photo" to "find the hidden treasure before anyone else does."
One year the mission was to reenact the Crane Kick from The Karate Kid in front of Albany Lodge. The lodge had to be in the shot or it didn't count. The judges were impressed.
Some missions lead to real prize locations, and first one there wins. At the finish, judges review everybody's photos and the best ones take it. Lunch is on us. Then comes the live auction, the punch box, raffles, a 50/50 draw, and more.
We've done it five years running now. It's a day of riding, treasure, questionable photography, and memories that stick.
Come along for the ride
Sometimes the best way to remember someone is to keep doing what they loved — just with a few more people along for it.
We Ride • We Share • We Care
What is the Wanna Ride Scavenger Hunt?
The Wanna Ride Scavenger Hunt Fundraiser is a unique event that combines a memorial ride in the Snowy Range with an exciting scavenger/treasure hunt. Participants are given a mission list on the morning of the ride at the designated "Starting Location." These missions can range from taking photos to finding hidden treasures along the way.
For example, one mission might be to reenact the famous Crane Kick from the movie Karate Kid in front of Albany Lodge. The photo must include Albany Lodge to be valid, and completing this mission could earn you 400 points. Each mission is assigned a different point value, so participants have the opportunity to accumulate points throughout the event.
It's worth noting that not all missions are worth points. Some missions are designed to lead participants to special prize locations. The first person to find the prize location wins the prize associated with that mission.
At the end of the ride, participants present their photos to the judges at the "Finish Location," where points are tallied. The participant with the most points is declared the winner. After the ride, a complimentary lunch is provided to all participants.
But the excitement doesn't stop there! Following lunch, there are even more FUNdraising activities to enjoy. These include a thrilling live auction, a punch box filled with amazing prizes, raffles, a 50/50 draw, and so much more.
It's a day packed with exhilarating rides, thrilling adventures, valuable treasures, and unforgettable memories.