Our Driving Tour of Central Wyoming

We had an interesting day today.  We went on a driving tour of Central Wyoming.  We didn't plan to do it, it just happened.

We were in Greybull, Wyoming this weekend for a family reunion.  When we got up this morning, we planned to eat breakfast, pack, and leave so we could get back to Rock Springs early. Right. This is a drive of just over 4 hours.  Normally.

When we got to Thermopolis, we noticed a flashing yellow highway sign.  WIND RIVER CANYON CLOSED.  This canyon connects Northern Wyoming to Southern Wyoming.  Look at a map. No. Other. Direct. Route.  We were told there had been a snow and a rock slide that closed the canyon.  We were also told that Highway 14 towards Yellowstone was also closed due to rock slides.  The ONLY other route took us back 30 miles North, 100 miles East, then 200 miles South, and finally 100 miles West.  Our just over 4 hour drive--now 9 1/2 hours.  We drove through rain, past a 3 car accident in the mountains that had traffic doing 20 mph, through a blizzard, and more rain before we finally got home.

We are grateful to be home safely, and we don't plan on repeating the trip any time soon.  Drive careful, and have a great day.

The Mare

           By Stick

I saw a gang of wild ponies

Out on the prairie sward,

With a coal black stallion,

Who was leading on the horde.

He had one white stocking

And a star upon his head,

With mares and colts a'plenty

All hale and quite well fed.

He moved them like a general

To keep them safe and whole

Leading them to new pastures,

Safe havens to raise each foal.

They were made up of every color

From blonde and chestnut, to mousy gray,

And they gathered all close together,

To be safe at the end of day.

But there was one lone mare

Who stood off from all the rest.

She didn’t join the herd

Just stared towards the west.

She was a sway-back pinto,

Whose ribs stood out bare enough to count,

And it seemed like the next strong breeze

Would be more than she could surmount.

Yet I saw her every day

Throughout the Spring and Fall,

And each day I was surprised

To still see her standing tall.

It seemed to me she was waiting,

But for what, I could not tell.

A friend, a mate—I was not sure—

Or maybe heaven’s clarion bell.

I looked for her when winter broke,

And the snow and ice were gone.

I found the herd, new foals and all,

Running through the desert dawn.

The mob was all still standing,

But of the mare, there was no sight

Perhaps she found what she was looking for

Out in the desert night.

The Sharp Edge

         By Stick

I got a knife

When I was just a lad

It had three blades

Just like the one dad had

I've kept it in my pocket

For nigh on fifty years

And tho' it's drawn some blood

It's never caused shed tears.

My grandpa always taught me

To keep it sharp and clean

For a dull knife cuts no wood,

So the blades should all be keen.

I learned truth and honor

When I was just a lad

I was taught to always keep them,

Just like my father had.

I've kept them in my heart

For nigh on fifty years

And though it's caused no harm

It has caused a few shed tears.

My grandpa always taught me

Not to cheat and not to lie

For a liar has no honor,

So stay true until you die

The Plan

          By Stick

How oft has the sculptor

Started out to mold

Without first deciding

The shape the piece would hold.

Or the painter at the easel,

With pen or brush in hand

Who begins to sketch

Without a single plan.

Why would you think then

That this world which we call home
Came about through simple chance

As go the thoughts of some.

With all the symmetry and beauty

That exists for all to see

There must have been some greater plan

When this planet came to be.

No, God in all his wisdom,

The creator and master of all,

Was the architect and builder

Who designed all things great and small.

He molded every mountain

Sketched out each flower and tree

He even took the time

To sketch a plan for you and me.

If the world seems ready to doubt you

And the clouds are rolling in
Or if someone tells you you're nothing

And that you will never win.

You might be down and out,

And unsure of what to do,

But remember that there's a plan for you

That your creator created for you.