Personal Newsletter
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2011 - 2012
The Wind from Wyoming Chicago Suburbanite to Outdoor Enthusiast s 2011 came to a close I was A reminded of the great experiences I’d
overlook vistas and challenging terrain. Perfect.
been fortunate to enjoy here in Casper, WY.
However, the most challenging part of trying to sign up for these tours is the organization of work schedules around it. Last year I signed up for three tours but was only able to participate in one. Hopefully this year will allow me to attend more of these great adventures. The last quarter of 2011 I began my work search for permanent employment that would support me and my outdoor adventures. Working three jobs made my search a bit difficult to sustain on a full time basis, but I’m back at it again. Fingers crossed things will work out. This is where I want to be but the last piece of the puzzle has yet to fit - gainful employment!
These are not the sort of adventures this suburbanite previously enjoyed but those now experienced by an outdoor enthusiast. Someone who appreciates the beauty of nature and the sheer diversity of its abundance. I I am now a living participant in its awe and grandeur ... no longer a simple voyeur. I love investigating new areas to photograph. I feel most complete when I’m out and shooting images that captivate a part of my soul. Combine that with writing articles or newsletters and I am content. It is said that if you’re doing something that you love, time passes at lightning speed and you’re not even aware of it. That is what I experience each and every time I’m shooting or writing. Must be something to that, huh? Now if I could just turn this into a career... In 2012 I hope to have the chance to investigate other areas of Wyoming. I’d like to get reconnected with the Wyoming Wilderness Association as they are able gain access to some of of those areas not readily available to the
A Fish Story As a new member of the Wyoming Fly Casters group, I’ve learned a great deal about fishing. Some of these lessons are easily learned and some are a bit gut wrenching; at least for me anyway. Alas, all is well. Haven’t met a fish I didn’t like. Page 2
Local History Ah, the educational part of the newsletter. I can’t resist sharing a few things that I’ve learned while living here. So here’s some info about Indian Paintbrush, wire fencing and “Hell’s Half Acre!” All an integral part of my WYO. Page 3
general public. Last summer I had the chance to visit the Shoshone National Forest and the DuNoir Valley outside of DuBois, WY on a tour with the association. Breathtaking views,
Random images
Here’s just a small sampling of some of the fun I’ve had over this past year. Looking forward to 2012. Page 4
I have applied for several positions with the Wyoming Bureau of Tourism. Now that just might be a great opportunity for me to use my photography and writing experience. I can’t think of better venue in which to share my photography and written observations. My explorations could be shared with families, kidexplorers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Well we’ll just have to see how the year unfolds. Should be interesting. Stay tuned!
Friendship Think,“It’s a Wonderful Life” ... ‘No man is a failure that has friends.’ The ladies in this article have figured out the recipe for maintaining long lasting relationships. Do you have friends you’ve known for 30, 40, 50 years? Eeh gads! Page 5
Special Adventures Beautiful vistas, lots of wildlife and an adventure around every corner. Here’s just a sampling of some of the things I’ve been able to do during my first year here. A brief description of each. Page 6
I would be very interested to hear what you think about this newsletter. Please send your reviews and comments to my email address or post on my FB page. Wishing you much health and happiness, Peg
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“A River Runs Through it?” ... not! September 24th was a beautiful day, the kind of fall day that Wyoming natives treasure. With winter on the horizon, each day of good weather becomes more valuable … sunny, a little breeze and 75 – 80 degrees … a perfect day to fish.
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y brother Scott and I arrived at Pathfinder around 9:30 am, just in time to see Joe catching a nice sized rainbow trout. My fishing buddies that day were: Joe, Scott and Bob. They have been members of the Wyoming Fly Casters (WFC) for a number of years but I am a novice fly fisher and a new member with much to learn. Being that this is end of my first year of flyfishing, I was hoping to beat my previous ‘record’ sized fish, a 6 -inch rainbow trout. Well, we all have to start someplace!
strength that a hooked fish might have. If you’re purchased a 5x leader it should support a 2 – 4.5 lbs fish and a 4x 3 – 6.5 lbs fish. If the line doesn’t break, you’re good to go. If it breaks, take a little more line off the your leader reel and test again. Sometimes the beginning or outside of the line might be a little brittle. The strength test should let you know what is good. No sense in getting your hopes up at that first cast and then immediately having them dashed away when the line breaks. Trust me, there will be plenty of opportunity for the fish to break your line.
As you would imagine it takes patience to fly-fish. If you’re a novice and you’re envisioning scenes from “A River Runs Through it” when Brad Pitt hooks the big one and literally goes down the river with the fish still on the line, forgetaboutit! – That, as they say, is the stuff dreams are made of - thank you Humphrey Bogart. But if you want a wonderful outdoor experience that is contemplative, therapeutic, invigorating and doesn’t comply with every short-cut there is to be had in life, then this is the “reel deal” for you. Once we arrived, I went to see Joe who was fishing off the pier. Naturally he had a good size fish on his line. You may not know Joe, but it would be unusual if you didn’t see him with a fish on his line. Joe leads many WFC fish outings to ponds, rivers and reservoirs. These trips are called, ‘Fishing with Joe, ‘ but WFC members like to refer to them as ‘Watching Joe Fish.’ Both Joe and Scott have generously shared their fishing expertise with me. I’ve no doubt this information has played an invaluable role in any success I might now be experiencing. For instance, check your lines. This means you should pull some line off the leader reel and stretch it in opposite directions with the MYWYO
at your destination. Gee, wish I thought about this before we arrived at the pier. Anyway, after watching Joe land his fish, I went back to the truck to get my gear. Rod, reel, fly box, camera and hat in hand, down to the pier I went. A couple of casts later, I was at ease and dreaming about a fish pursuing my fly. I pulled on my line in a pattern I thought might appeal to a fish. Who knew? Although my repertoire of pulls is rather limited, I had several from which I could choose. Some were deliberate pulls and some ‘knot!’ As a matter of fact, when landing my record fish, I was in the process of untying a fly line knot from around my reel. Do the fish wait until you can’t respond appropriately? Who knows? But this time was different. Aha!
Next, when tying your fly or streamer on your line, be sure you test your knots. Again, there’s no need to make it easier for your fish to get away, especially with a fly in his mouth. I’ve learned this lesson personally. I felt guilty about a fish swimming around with my fly in his mouth. What would his fish buddies think? “Oh, Tommy got a new piercing!” or “Geez have you seen that guy, what he won’t do for attention.” We wouldn’t want to put him through that embarrassment and I don’t intend on worrying that one of my fish was swimming around getting harassed. !
So, to ensure that you won’t lose a fly you tied to your line, practice … practice … practice those knots! Better yet, tie those knots at home. I guess it wouldn’t hurt to tie some line to several of the fly’s you think you might use
I was working my pull pattern when I felt a real strong tug on my line and I set my hook. Wow! It worked! Perhaps a little late on the set but none-the-less, I had a fish. The strength of its pull told me it was definitely a bigger catch. Could it be true? After all, reeling in this fish did take considerably longer than the second or two it took to reel in my 6” record. Thankfully I had another experienced fly fisher and fellow WFC member to my side. Bob was really a big help to me. So I had a strong fish on the line – great, now what? How do I get him? Bob guided me on how to bring him in. I brought him over to water’s edge, and from on top of the hill overlooking the water, my brother yelled out to me to remove the hook myself! Apparently he and Joe had taken notice when I screamed I had a fish on my line. They must have seen Bob standing to my left and thought I’d have Bob remove the hook. Can’t say I didn’t think about it after I looked to see where my fly had lodged. Eeeh gads! Now I had to remove the hook. Continued on page 4. page 2
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Local History Just a few things that one finds in Wyoming ...
Hell’s Half Acre
History of Wire Fences
Indian Paintbrush
Known as the “Devi’s Kitchen,” “Pits of Hades,” and the “Baby Grand Canyon,” this 160-200 foot deep depression was formed over fifty million years ago by the south fork stream of the Powder River.
A ranchers life in the the American West was reshaped by a series of patents for a simple tool - barbed wire. Patents for improvements to wire fencing were granted by the U.S. Patent Office, beginning with Michael Kelly in November 1868 and ending with Joseph Glidden in November 1874. But why wire?
Indian Paintbrush or Painted Cup (Castilleja linariaefolia) was adopted as the State Flower on January 31, 1917. Often overlooked the true flowers are commonly enveloped by bright red flowerlike bracts. Prior to being adopted by the Wyoming Legislature, the Indian paintbrush met with some strong opposition but in the end, it became the official flower. The flower was chosen as the favorite of Wyoming school children. It served as an unofficial state flower in the early years of the 20th century.
Although only a half acre it is part of over 300 acres in the middle of the Wyoming prairie. Flanked by both mountains and valleys, it has jutting rocks, chilling caves and vast valleys. Many stories haunt the hills and valleys and spirits are seen roaming the shadows. Tens of thousands of buffalo who perished while being chased by indians, plummeted to their deaths below. Buffalo remains and indian arrow heads have been found in the valleys. Rumors exist that a mysterious dark and unsocial figure has been seen in one of the dark, labyrinth-type caves. Some weary travelers along Wyoming highway 20/26 have seen an eerie shadow that convinces them that something is there.
Lumber was in short supply since wood fences were costly and difficult to build. Few trees were available on the prairie and plains. Since rocks for stone walls were equally as scarce on the plains, wire was cheaper, easier, and quicker to use than any of these other alternatives. Although many patents were issued for various designs to compete against Micheal Kelly's invention. Joseph Glidden's design for a simple wire barb that locked onto a doublestrand wire, was the recognized winner. His design made barbed wire more effective, by locking the barbs in place. He did this by inventing the machinery that mass-produced the double-strand wire.
The Wyoming Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution put their support behind the Indian paintbrush. The University of Wyoming's Dr. Grace Raymond Hebard drafted the legislation and found a sponsor for the bill. The State of Wyoming, by an act of the Fourteenth State Legislature convened in Cheyenne and made the Indian paintbrush the official state flower of Wyoming.
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Some memories from 2011 ...
A River Runs cont. Well it’s easier to remove a fly on a small fry; he can’t fit the whole fly into his mouth. But it was way more of a challenge with the fish I caught. Yep, 14 inches and 1.5 lbs rainbow trout, thank you very much. But he had swallowed the hook down his throat a bit, which is why I knew I didn’t set the hook as soon as I should have. I think this fish grabbed a bite, and then went on to swallow it before I really knew I had him. So, I had to retrieve the swallowed fly.
me, I went in. Slippery little devil that he was, (the fish not my brother) I didn’t want to squeeze him too hard, or hold him too long. I just wanted to remove the hook with the least amount of blood as possible. With a camera on my shoulder, my lanyard (fishing necklace) with forceps hanging at easy reach and Bob at my side, I removed the hook. Took a picture and then sent him on his way.
But he didn’t really swim away. He was swimming upside down. Oh my, what had I done? I asked Bob if I killed him? Bob, said just to rotate him so he would swim upright The fly was positioned near his gill and I and give him a little push. I did and held my remember what Joe said that if the fly cuts breath. Voila! He was ok! Whew! I knew I into the gill and it bleeds, ‘the fish is a goner.‘ had broken my record, but its kind of tricky I really didn’t want that to happen, so with my measuring the size of a fish. He looked about brother screaming words of encouragement at 20 – 25” inches and about 5 lbs. but you know 4
as a fly-fisher, I would be amiss not to exaggerate a wee bit.
I asked Bob. Bob said the rainbow was about 14 inches and probably around 1.5 lbs. … no really, that’s what Bob said, and I believe him. I had done it. Well, certainly not alone. I couldn’t have caught him without a year of practical hands-on experience and the knowledge and fishing gear generously shared with me from my WFC support team. Thanks guys! Stay tuned for my first experience cleaning a fish or should I say ‘watching Scott clean a fish!’ Eeh. MYWYO
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Friendship: a walk and a cup of coffee The other day, I had a 3rd grade student crying in my class because she was sure her BFF, wasn’t going to be her friend anymore. She was inconsolable. I could only think of one thing to tell her. We will all have many friends during our lives. Some we’ll meet when we are very young and some as we get older. But regardless of when we meet, we have to cherish them for who they are and when we have them in our lives. If we’re really lucky, we’ll have some friends our entire lives. For the past thirteen years, the “Walkee-‐Coffee Chicks” have been meeting six days a week at 6 am to get some exercise. They are: Linda Bechtel, Joyce Bell, Char Boner, Chuck Burd, Marilyn Hogan, Skeater Kelly, Margaret Bordewick, Marcia Reinhardt, Mickie Riley, Dolly Rolle, Jan Schicketanz, Harriet West, Cheryll Westcott, and Jan Chicketanz. They meet for a 2 -‐3 mile walk at the east side shopping mall and enjoy each other’s company over coffee at the local Loaf n’ Jug. Their stories are as varied in how they met as to what keeps these good friends together. Marcia, Char, Cheryll and Jan met as teachers with the Natrona County School system and have known each other for years. Though each has a very busy retire-‐ ment, they make time to talk, laugh and volunteer together. Skeater and Dolly have known each other for forty years. Long ago, they discovered their husbands both worked in insurance industry and that’s all it took to begin their life-‐ long friendship. Originally meeting as neighbors, Jan Schicketanz and Linda Bechtel have been friends for more than 60 years. Jan is a retired teacher from the Natrona County School System and Linda is an administrator at the Child Development Center. Chuck Burd and Char Boner have been friends for twenty years. They began their friendships by walking the neighborhood. For the past Vive years, Skeater, Dolly and Cheryll have been baking desserts for the Rescue Mission in Casper. Dolly is a teaching assistant and Cheryll, a retired teacher, still sub-‐ stitutes when her busy schedule allows but when it comes Every morning for the past thirteen years, the “Walkee-Coffee” chicks have met at to baking, Cheryll’s in charge. Dolly assists and is happy to their local Loaf ‘n Jug. They meet before coffee for a 2-3 mile brisk walk at the east side shopping mall in Casper, WY. have Cheryll managing the details. They’ll also be the Virst ones to tell you that volunteering does a lot of good for them too. They’ve come to realize that those who have little, are so thankful but those who have much, value little. Hmm, a lesson for all of us. Joyce and Harriet volunteer at the Wyoming Medical Center. Jan and Marilyn are the “snowbirds” of the group and have already Vlown from the Casper coop. Come next spring, they’ll happily rejoin the nest. All the ladies agree, friendship is a great way to sustain the morning walk. It’s much easier to walk every day if you know someone is waiting or wondering why you’re not there. If someone doesn’t show up for the walk, Dolly will call during the coffee hour to Vind out why they’re MIA (missing in action). Also keeping an eye out for the ladies is a masculine admirer. He frequently stops by for coffee. Dolly said that he’s the only male amongst all the ‘Cougars.’ It’s obvious that he holds a special place with the ladies. He’s always doing something for them. Not only is he the ofVicial ‘taster’ of baked goods, he has been known to chauffeur some ladies to the annual neighborhood picnics. When asked, what makes a good recipe for a long lasting friendship? The ladies replied: patience, compassion, understanding, respect and an ounce of truth gently folded in with humor. Top that with a sprinkling of ‘putting-‐your-‐friends Virst’ and you have a winning recipe for a long-‐lasting friendship! From now on, when I have have to console a young student, I’ll know just what to tell them.
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An a la Carte Menu of Local Vistas Visas from Above
A Bridge Too Far
Abandoned Farms
... Neigh, they’re my friends
Sunsets
Many of my pictures are from on top of Casper Mountain. It is literally minutes from my home and a great source for my photography.
Believe it or not, this bridge holds the tracks for the train that will go through La Grange Park, IL.
Back east when buildings are dilapidated and run down, they are often demolished.
There is a group of horses I visit every now and then. These are not the horses that live near my home but a few miles away.
A few minutes outside of town, you can witness expansive vistas like this. Colors change as often as the direction and intensity of the light that shines through the sky.
This is an image I took after our first snow. The tree in the foreground provides a great perspective to the background of the city of Casper, some 2000 or so feet below. I try to go up there every so often because vistas change so frequently. As each wind blows the clouds in different directions, the sun shines with ever-changing rays on the mountain. Take a picture, wait a minute or two, and voila! you have a different shot. Pure heaven.
It’s the same train that I have waited for countless hours on 31st a few blocks away from where I grew up. It seems funny that despite the fact that I am 1100 miles away from my old home, it travels significantly through the town of my new home. I don’t wait for anymore trains but in the distance I can see how long they are when traveling back from Cheyenne. No doubt the view for the engineers is better here, just as it is for me.
In Wyoming the wind and weather finishes them off. Not only are these abandoned homes, ranches and farms a grim reminder of lifestyles and days gone by, but they are wonderful setting for pictures. The trick is to not get so consumed by each of them. While they are in ruins every one has a distinct personality which is hard to ignore. Like people, no two are alike. Each one has a story to tell. Who lived there, what they did with their lives ... but why are they no longer there?
They great me with happy smiles and seem to know it’s me stopping by again. They seem to be friends. They hang out together, share a joke or two between them and enjoy their field and each others company. They have adopted me as one of their friends. Often posing for pictures or doing exactly what I ask of them. I talk to them and they let me gently rub their noses. Nice.
If you think you’re looking at the best sunrise or sunset ever, just wait a few moments and it will get even better. I am continuously surprised by this every day. I’ve learned to be more patient when taking pictures and will often return to a place to get just the light I want. I’m never disappointed.
2911 Zion Lane #306 Casper, WY 82609 marketingmavenaha@gmail.com
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