No Room at the Inn

After I took a photo of that moon in the previous blog...

We traveled to the booming town of Thermopolis, WY to find a hotel room for the night. The Wyoming Quarter Horse sale was going on, so we couldn't find a single room in town. Thanks to a smart phone, we were able to find the next town on the map and call two different motels before we found a vacancy. We traveled on north to Worland where we found the motel we'd already paid for via phone: Econo Inn. When we made the last-minute reservation on the phone, we thought it was an Econo Lodge. We were mistaken. 

We checked in, after defending ourselves from the owner's large dog who met us in the doorway, and literally ran our bags into our room. There were questionable characters sitting outside eating beef jerky and drinking out of forties -  we had no desire to make new friends. We locked the door, and the deadbolt then put the chair in front of the door. Then we checked under the beds (out of logical order, we know), said extra prayers and I slept with my mace gun on the night stand. Likely the worst night of sleep ever, and likely the shortest amount of time ever spent in a motel. 

After a great breakfast at Cow Camp, we headed on north towards Montana. The photos you'll see today catalog that final day we spent in Wyoming - such an untamed place. 

Wyoming: Wild and Wonderful - Day One

We're on day three of our Wild West Adventure. It's been a an awesome trip thus far, and I hate to see my Priceline itinerary in my inbox for tomorrow. It's passed much too quickly. I've not done a great job blogging, as high speed internet (ok, internet in general) has been far and few between. While frustrating at times, that has also been something I can appreciate about the path we've traveled. 

Today is a simple photo blog, really only telling the story (well, parts of it) of our first day. Each of these photos were taken in Wyoming. 

Enjoy - and thanks for being a part of the adventure!

Night One: Survived.

We survived night one of our Wild West Adventure. Katie and I landed in Denver then hopped on 25 and drove north. We stopped in Ft. Collins and had a fantastic meal at Tortilla Marissa's, which buddy Jake Tiedeman suggested. Our travel goal was to get to Cheyenne to tie over for the night. 


We made it....


We were fortunate to get the last room in a motel just off the interstate. It was an interesting place. 


The welcome card they gave us at check in:


Welcome to Our Motel

• Lock doors. Fasten deadbolt and security chain. 
• Do not open door to strangers. Use peephole. 
• Lock your car and remove all valuables.
• In case of emergency, call 911. 

Makes you feel good. 

We took necessary precautions. 

But don't worry. There was local, vintage protection in the parking lot...

So this morning we're heading further into Wyoming and west bound, rather than north. 

Stay tuned - We've only just begun...

The Next Chapter

With it's twists and turns, beaten paths and unbroken ground, I say with confidence that this life is a good one.

Yesterday I left the company I'd served for over three years. While it's a bittersweet move on to the next adventure, it's mostly a sweet one. I'm on to another career where I will write regularly, spend more time in the countryside talking to agriculturalists and learn another side of production agriculture.

I've learned so much in the last three years. I can say I've never known a more dedicated crew than the one I just left. They're the definition of passion.

I had lunch this week with a co-worker named Doug. It's a visit that should have taken place some time ago, still I waited until the last possible opportunity to schedule it. Convinced I could have visited with him for three hours rather than one, I can say that lunch was one that changed my life.  What a kind soul. 

After the meal, while I was still soaking in the rural life wisdom, the family stories (he's a husband and father to four) and the professional advice, I received an email from Doug that I'll hang on to for some time to come....

_______________
Subject: If you could take two quick reads with you, as you move to Wilt, I would ask you to consider these. I come back to them from time to time...

Five Rules

• Nobody owes you anything. If you want it, earn it yourself.
• You possess the control over your life and success. Don't depend on anyone else to help you get there. If, along the road a mentor or some other helpful individual crosses your path, then consider yourself more fortunate than most, and try to pass the benefit on to someone else when you are able.
• Always concentrate on 'you' not 'them.' Obsessing about others won't get you where you want to go.
• Avoid 'analysis paralysis.' Many people fall into the trap of analysis paralysis, over-thinking situations instead of taking action.
• Enjoy the ride: you have only one life to live.

Millions of people are unhappy not because of any real condition in their lives that warrants their sadness, but just that they can't allow

themselves to enjoy the ride (O'Leary, 2006, p.171-178).

And a quote that comes from the organization that the author David Cottrell leads, 

"Your legacy is not what you leave, 

it's how you have lived."

_______________

And with that, I say farewell to an old endeavor and run with open arms to a new adventure. 

Speaking of adventure....

By the time you sit down to read this, I'll be toting my Nikon, Sony HandyCam and favorite cowboy boots onto a plane headed for the West. Much like I did in February, I'm traveling to the great unknown to spend some time under the big sky country, capturing the American West through my lens and running the tires off a rental car.

Only this time, I'm taking a copilot. One who overpacks worse than me. 

We've taken a trip West together before, to the rugged, wide open spaces of Texas during another transition time in our lives. It's been almost two years since we discovered roots and wings.

So stay tuned. These days ahead with out a map will surely provide much exploration, interesting encounters and fantastic views. 

Cheers to the next chapter!
And thanks for the life advice, Doug. 

Born Again

My sister-in-law and I have a unique relationship. While she thinks I'm borderline hoarder for sticking around until the end of an auction to scout through the "free treasure" pile, I think she's emotionless because she didn't hold on to the old garden hose mangled and knotted in her basement. It wasn't her hose; it belonged to the elderly couple that lived there previously. But I like to think it had a story to tell. 

Betsy does take full advantage of my inability to throw away anything that I think may 1) be able to be re-purposed or 2)  have a story to tell. She always makes it a point to tell me the days she is cleaning out the garage. Not because I'm handy with a broom, but because she knows I'll pick through everything she is tossing - and can I just say, she tosses a lot! I'd like to thank Betsy for the box of 200 wire hangers that I have yet to use. And also for the vintage lamp that could be considered a fire hazard in 48 states. And also for the three bags of mismatched cool whip and sour cream containers. And mostly for the lack of space in my own garage. 

Today I wanted to share some of the things that I have found a new use for. There is something satisfying in fully furnishing a home while spending very little money. But perhaps more fulfilling for me is knowing the story-telling "junk" (Betsy's words, not mine) I collect can be saved and born again.

Old barn siding and Ball jars - make for a great country chandelier over the dining room table. 

Candlesticks and jelly jars make unique wine glasses. 

Outgrown cowboy boots, with a pint jar inside, make for a unique way to store utensils. 

An old metal rake with a broken handle can be repurposed to hang bags, purses or belts. 

Don't toss the old silverware once you get new. Hammer down flat and imprint to serve as "markers" when providing an array of food. 

Old hardware shelves can be used to showcase, or store, family china.

An old metal milk pail used to hold reading material.

A historic window serves as a multi-photo frame.

A vintage tray and magnets serve as a unique memo board. 

An old shutter provides lots of vertical space for a bulletin board. 

I wanted to create the feeling of a fireplace in my bedroom. This old mantle had rested on the front porch of a rural Wayne County home for days before I had the courage to knock the door and ask if they were going to use it, or burn it. Turns out, this was on the burn pile, along with several windows. I have salvaged them all - Shocking, I know.

Centerpieces for our annual bred heifer production sale: feed scoop candles and ball jars with vegetable oil to showcase our reference sires.

Rather than buy a poster frame, an old door can be used to showcase your favorite print. 

Dad's old shirts that he (thankfully) has forgotten he owned in 1990. 

Paired with a belt and boots.

Ladder for heels.

Candle holders organize some of my favorite, easily tangled, earrings. 

Old boots keep my keepsake buckles safe.

Rusty birdcage, redone to add color to my front porch. 

I've began to make a conscience effort to clean out and toss things in my basement and garage every fall and spring. While some things are easy to let go of (the box of Gatorade labels from my entire 8th grade basketball season - I hated both 8th grade and basketball),  there are those vintage pieces that I just know I can re-purpose at some point down the road. 

That being said, if anyone knows a creative use for a christmas tree stand with no branches, please contact me directly.