There's a cowboy saying: You can tell where a man's been by the shape
of his hat. It means that cowboys are as different as the places they
live. Most wear silver belt buckles, some prefer golden. Some would
sooner ride across the Grand Canyon than a field of sunflowers. For
some, a big ranch under a big sky is a real gem. Others treasure a
cabin in a tall stand of evergreens. Oddly enough, almost every cowboy
would rather spend a night under a lone star than a day in the
sunshine, Now, show us that you know where these cowboys are from by
naming each of the states referred to in this story. Be sure to tell
us which one is mentioned twice and which one is not in the West.

Hello.

cowboys are as different
---------------------------

Cowboy State = WYOMING
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


Most wear silver 
------------------

Silver State = NEVADA
source: hyperdictionary.com Silver state
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Silver+State


some prefer golden
------------------

Golden State = CALIFORNIA
source: hyperdictionary.com Golden state
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Golden+State


Some would sooner 
------------------

Sooner State = OKLAHOMA
source: hyperdictionary.com Sooner state
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Sooner+State


across the Grand Canyon
------------------------

Grand Canyon State = ARIZONA
source: hyperdictionary.com Grand Canyon State
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Grand+Canyon+State

of sunflowers. 
----------------

Sunflower State = KANSAS
source: hyperdictionary.com Sunflower State
http://www.hyperdictionary.com/dictionary/Sunflower+State

under a big sky
------------------

Big Sky State = MONTANA
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm

 is a real gem
---------------

Gem State = IDAHO
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


Others treasure 
---------------

Treasure State = MONTANA
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


a cabin in a tall stand of evergreens
------------------------------------------------------

Evergreen State = WASHINGTON
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


rather spend a night under a lone star
----------------------------------------

Lone Star State = TEXAS
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


than a day in the sunshine,
-------------------------

Sunshine State = FLORIDA
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


Now, show us
------------

Show Me State = MISSOURI
source: Nicknames of the Fifty States, hosted by about.com
http://geography.about.com/library/weekly/aa121399a.htm


------------------

Thus, Montana is the state that is mentioned twice. Florida is the one
that's not in the West.

------------------
search strategy:
state nicknames, "big sky", "golden state", "garden state", etc.

I hope this helps.