Wide Open Spaces

This is taken from the front of the house, facing toward the backyard...pretty eh?
I have officially been in Wyoming for one week and two days. I realized in hindsight that I was so excited to have internet access that in typing my blog I didn’t spell check or anything and am hardly convinced it made any practical sense…welcome to my brain on a daily basis. Also in my hurry I completely forgot to leave out some of the important details of my new life that I wanted to share with you and so I am using this entry to paint a better picture of my life.

The road into the canyon:
I remember a few years ago right before or around the time I moved to Colorado I was having a discussion with my dad how it could be a good idea for me to go work on a dude ranch for a summer…go out to middle of the west and just be out in the middle of nowhere. I’m not exactly at a 5 star dude ranch, but I’m definitely in the setting for one. I know I mentioned the mountains a few days ago, and sure Colorado has mountains (which I love), but I’ve never lived so close to the base of them.

(PS – in regards to insane weather…yesterday it snowed in Cody, snowed all around us (about halfway down the mountain), and could snow on us today…not likely…but still its May 29th?? Apparently Yellowstone has 30 feet of snow, and cities north of us are flooded. Our rivers are crested (I think meaning to full capacity) which could mean flooding for us when the snow melts. From what I hear with the precipitation of the last few days we have attained 150% of our annual fall.) With all this rain I have learned the fine art of maneuvering Zoe, my two wheel drive truck (she really acts like a car) through slick mud…which is like driving on snow…without the ice…so really completely different…except you still slide and pray to not hit the telephone pole, sheep or barb wire fence. So far, mission accomplished. Here is the road to work: (the ranch is behind the forefront hill)


Did I mention that I’m technically in a community called Clark (population 300), where everyone knows everyone? Technically speaking, it is not an actual town due to the lack of a post office (the only thing critical to naming a town)
…so technically I live in Powell, which is actually about forty miles away. Crazy. Down the “main road” there is a bar called Edelweiss where one must have a beer to officially be considered a local. I shall let you know when that occurs. I have been warned about going to the bars in Cody because it is a guarantee you will get hit on and should you indulge in a relationship, most of the men will propose in 6 months. Fortunately I’m not interested in that; although it would be entertaining…relax! I’m kidding, like I just said, I’m not ready to indulge in any of that right now.

I officially have Wyoming license plates and am all geared up to start work.
We have spent the last week acting as flies on the walls, watching, learning, observing. Do you know how hard it is to play capture the flag without being able to communicate?? Hard. But I am grateful because at first I was scared to talk, but after this week I can’t wait to be able to talk…I think I have a decent idea of what to do. My basic job function is to supervise the girls in chores, ranch work, school work, and conversations, if they lie or manipulate or anything of the sort my job is to give and supervise consequences, essentially act as a mom for fifteen teenage girls, ready or not here I come!

Oh! And there is a little Catholic Church in Clark that looks like an old school house, cute, quaint and small…as if I’ve stepped back in time to Little House on the Prairie. After seeing so many Churches across the country on NET, I was surprised to find that I was surprised by this one in its humble quaintness…filled with the girls from the ranch, and families, it was packed full. One of those where your new face is noticed but not mentioned. And with that I’m going to leave you with a reflection I had in prayer today about the mountains and then try to get a picture so you can see what I am talking about. (And next time I shall share of my housing…which is in some ways not like Italy at all.)


The mountains here are so free, uncharted – no trails, just open wilderness, exposed to the air, the forthcoming and receding clouds. In all elements of nature they stand tall and bold, no fear, almost daring every passerby to take them by the horns and discover their hidden nooks and crannies. Majestic, untamed, wild, free, they are centered in their strength. They are solidly fastened in the ground, boldly facing all weather, all explorers, open to all adventures written on them – so openly present yet hidden and mysterious and beautiful. No matter the winds or storms or heat or rain – they remain breathtaking, changing only in décor placed by the elements – from green to brown to orange to white. No matter what is thrown their way they never move, never run, never hide, adapting and remaining steadfast for the purpose they were created. And it is this mountain that I long to fashion my heart after…as a mountain is grounded to the earth, steadfast in all elements…beautiful even in the storms…so I long to remain steadfast in the Lord…daring every passerby to take life by the horns and discover the nooks and crannies of love that He has for them, the hidden depths of my soul known only to Him, but the beauty of what He has created radiant to all, no matter the elements that surround me, to keep my heart mysterious and beautiful. We are all free, but so frequently chained down by well worn paths, sticking with the known. As I hike and explore this mountain over the course of the summer, as I forge my own trails across the earth, I eagerly look forward to growing in myself – the nooks and crannies of my own soul that I have not yet discovered, to be stretched and stand firm in Him as I face all elements. Just as the mountains are free in their steadfastness to the ground, so I am free in my steadfastness to the Lord…and this is the great joy that I have in my calling, I said yes to God and with Him and Him in nature as my guide surely all that is to be conquered can and will be…a wonderful mystery and adventure to be had and explored.

God Bless,
Tracie