September 1998

Another month and another forest completed. But, with the end of September, we did something very different - we went home. Bisbee changed little during our absence. As we wander through the streets, some renovations that had been underway are completed. There is, also, a lot of fresh paint applied and several businesses have changed. This is refer to as the Bisbee Shuffle but we know it occurs everywhere. But basically, Bisbee remains a grand old dame.

These were some new definitions we had learn when we got back home: "breezy," "Fall-like temperatures," and "available locally." "Breezy" means tie down your hat, boy - this won't be a gentle, leaf ruffling movement of air. We're talking about lane-changing broadside type gales. The "local" television news people are gleeful talking about the "Fall-like temperatures," meaning 55 to 85 degree temperature range! But that's in Tucson. Bisbee's been 40 to 75 degrees. We have been assured the first frost (something Tucson rarely experiences) will occur anytime between Halloween and Thanksgiving. And "available locally" applies to a 100-plus miles radius of Bisbee. Fred wants to treat our redwood deck before winter. The product recommended by the builder is made by Behr, "available locally" - as at Home Depot in Tucson, ninety miles away!

Sounds a bit inconvenient, doesn't it? And it may be but we feel it is a small price to pay for spectacular sunsets we see from our deck, the fascinating collection of characters we have met in town (like a former Bisbee potter who became a computer supply store owner, and is now retired and a part-time Santa Claus), and diverse cultural opportunities found throughout this little Mule Mountain community. An interesting point we have observed. Women's clubs were and still have major importance to the health and well-being of western communities. In Bisbee almost every aspect of what might be called culture has a women's organization behind it. Perhaps the most popular here is the Music Concert series. This winter we will able to enjoy several chamber music, jazz, classic, and contemporary musical concerts for a nominal fee. We are also looking forward to attending some of the amateur theater performances. Both these activities are largely supported by women's clubs.

But enough of Bisbee, let's bring you up-to-date on the rest of our adventures.

We started the month off with the Medicine Bow National Forest (NF). Fortunately, Medicine Bow is located relatively close to Cheyenne, WY because our first major adventure was a flat tire, almost immediately followed by a blow-out. (It was a bad couple of weeks for Kermit.) Two things we learned from this experience. First, don't park on a downhill slope in case you must change a tire. (Kermit's spare tire is stored on a cable under the rear of the truck bed. While an ingenious idea, a problem occurs when you lower the cable to retrieve the spare and it swings forward, just beyond reach.) The second tidbit is Goodyear dealers are not plentiful in Wyoming. Here is only one and he is in Cheyenne.

We have come to regards such adventures not as problems but as challenges. To date we have managed to overcome each and every challenge but with each challenge and mile traveled, our respect and admiration for those earlier pioneers grows. The Medicine Bow NF contains most of the major wagon trails used in the Western movement. Laramie Mountain and the Vedavoo rock formation were major and welcomed landmarks to these earlier travelers. It is inspiring to think of those folks covered in weeks what can we traverse in a few hours. And they managed with none of the conveniences we have, such as a Flying J Truck Stop, Napa Auto Parts, or grocery store. We look out over countryside and wonder how did they manage?

Not that life is all that easy today for the folks in this part of the West. Horse, 4X4 trucks, and ATVs are primary modes of transportation we see on ranches. Paved roads, trees, and neighbors could be considered luxury items in many of the areas we have visited. "One-room" schoolhouse for the lower grades dot the landscape. In comparison, middle and high school students attend enormous complexes. Most of these students are from small communities and "fostered" out. (Similar to boarding school, we assume, but the children can go home each weekend.)

After weeks of open and crowdless conditions, we eased our way back into the hurly-burly of civilization with a short visit to Estes Park, Colorado and Don Boileau, Suzi's former Department Chair. We must say we found Estes Park, a major portal to the Rocky Mountain National Park, an interesting town. With lots of little stores to explore, many galleries supporting a rather large artistic community, and the delightful company of Don, his wife, and in-laws, to say nothing of the magnificent National Park, Estes was a pleasant stop. From the relax pace of Estes Park we journey to the Boulder/Denver area to visit Fred's family members, Jeff and Uncle Ted.

We are very grateful to Jeff for doing most of the driving during our stay. Exciting is one word to describe the traffic in the Boulder/Denver area. Fast, eradicate, scary, thick, and nerve wrecking could also be used. After our weeks of traveling along fairly uncluttered byways, managing this traffic was about as pleasant as when Suzi stop smoking - cold turkey. But the visit with Jeff, his girl-friend, and Uncle Ted made it worth the occasional frayed nerves.

From our stay in the Boulder/Denver area we made a beeline for home. (Such a nice sounding word.) Full-timing has been great fun. We wouldn't have missed one day of the past three seasons of travel and researching but it will be so very nice to have a "regular" lifestyle for awhile. And maybe a visit from some of our friends.

Since we aren't going to be "wandering" for a while, the next issue of Fred and Suzi's Wanderings will probably be in the Spring. However, we do have a "regular" address and telephone number, so please keep in touch.

Suzi and Fred