Moving Day

Friday morning... Dale had an appointment in the morning... so I finished some packing, last minute clean-ups....

our realtor came by around 11:30.... so getting the house on the market.

We got on the road about 2pm.... on the way to our new home in Cody.

There has been a big fire (as I posted earlier) about 35 miles west of Cody - just east of the Yellowstone NP entrance. We expected heavy smoke for our arrival (after all the smoke that had been in Cheyenne on Thursday that was being attributed to the Gunbarrel Fire). To our surprise - even though the fire continues to burn in the wilderness - Cody was pretty clear. About 62,000 acres have burned to date.

But the clouds at night driving into Cody were very red from the way the setting sun was hitting the clouds that were mixed with smoke.

The camper in the bottom of the picture is Dale ahead of me.

Buck did great on the trip - just sat there in the back and layed his head on the armrest by my arm for the 7 hours....

We are getting rain today (Sunday)... which, is coming straight down - not horizontal (my Cheyenne friends understand exactly what I am talking about)!!!! But hopefully the rain rain will help the fire efforts.

The pictures don't do the colors justice - and this was through my very dirty winshield as I was driving down the road near Meteesee (just south of Cody).

Farewell to Warren FCU

This past Thursdy, August 28th, was my last day working at the credit union, after almost 6 years.

I spent the morning going out to most of the branch offices to see

as many people as I could.

There was a luncheon.... and as you can see from the pictures..... there was a wonderful turnout.

I have come to know credit union people will use any excuse to go out for a meal.... It was a great time.

After work a few of us went to Uncle Charlie's.... before I headed to class (yes, still working on my Masters degree).... but my instructor hadn't shown up and we left at 7:40 (as he was pulling in - class was suppose to start at 6pm)!

Tyler....

I just copied some pictures off of Dale's camera... so have a few more pictures Tyler.

I sure do miss this sweet boy.

My prayers are with Tyler and his Mommy and Daddy!!

Gunbarrel Fire

Gunbarrel Fire

I receive a daily update on the Gunbarrel fire – which is north of the highway between Cody WY and Yellowstone National Park
Start: lighting on July 26

- In spruce/fir and Douglas-fir, with 50-80% dead trees. - 50,615 acres
- 195 people committed:
- 5 crews: 1 hotshot crew, 2 hand crews, and 2 fire use modules
- 3 helicopters: 2 medium and 1 light, 13 engines and 3 water tenders

Today’s update:
Gunbarrel Fire
Sunday, August 24, 2008
2 p.m. update

The pictures were taken while Dale and a friend, Nick, were out fishing on the Northfork River between Cody and Yellowstone last week. The helicopter was picking up water right down the river from where they were fishing. (You should be able to see the red bucket).
Most of the fire is being left to burn in the wilderness. Though they are protecting structures and the road that leads to Yellowstone. About 2 weeks ago the fire had gotten down to the road. They expect the fire to continue until snow comes into the mountains.

Air Tanker Use Likely This Afternoon

This afternoon air tankers may spread fire retardant or water on the east end of the Gunbarrel fire. Their use today depends on a number of factors including air turbulence, mechanical readiness, visibility through smoke, and exact location of the fire’s edges. Four air tankers currently are staged at Missoula airport.

Retardant drops from large airplanes are one of any fire management tactics that are very effective, but only under limited circumstances. One factor that makes heavy air tankers effective are relatively light fuels – grass or open trees rather than heavy forest. Another is topography shallow and simple enough for the low-flying planes to come close to their targets. Neither of these factors have been present on this fire so far, but are now true on the fire’s east edge.

Fire intensity and spread are low so far today. In the continued hot, dry weather the fire is likely to pick up somewhat this afternoon, much as it did yesterday. Multi-mile runs are not expected today.

The retardant drops are part of the preparations being made for possible strong winds again early this week. Other preparations are less visually dramatic but at least as important. Today engine crews are learning details about homes ahead of the fire: road access, existing defensible space, surrounding vegetation, water sources, and more. Also, two crews, three engines, and a water tender are working in and around Libby Creek in an ongoing strategy of gradually securing more of the slow-growing west end of the fire. Finally, significant progress has been made in securing fire in the bottom of Big Creek above Star Hill Ranch. Crews continue to work in that area today.

Safety Request: Low-flying aircraft are appealing to watch. However, observer traffic on Highway 14-16-20 remains a key hazard to firefighters in the area. If possible, please watch from town or another location. If you do drive up the North Fork Highway, please park both yourself and your vehicle completely off the road. This is a life safety concern that affects you, your family, and all firefighters in the area. We appreciate your help in this safety aspect of managing the Gunbarrel Fire.

Missing Tyler

I sure do miss my grandbaby…

Tyler moved with his Daddy and Mommy to South Dakota the end of July after spending several months in Cody. This will hopefully open up more opportunities for them.

Tyler will be 10 months on Sept 1st… time sure flies by so quickly. He is such a good baby.

Watching Mike take care of his son has been truly amazing. What an incredible Daddy I have seen him become – I couldn’t be any more proud.

And to have Sam as part of our family has been a true blessing!

I do pray that they find the opportunities they need in South Dakota.

Moving Again

For those of you who haven't heard yet.... Dale and I are on the move again....

About a month ago I got an email from a web site that I put a job search on....(really just out of curiosity).
and there was a job for Northwest College... in Cody, WY.....
The main campus is in Powell, WY -
The job is to develop workforce training programs for the community through the college and do some training.
It is a 10 month a year position, which doesn't matter when I take time off as long as I work 10 months worth of hours.... time for fly-fishing!!! :-)
I sent in my resume, cover letter, college transcripts....

When Dale and I went up to Cody two weeks ago for vacation... I got a couple phone calls that Tues while Dale and I were fishing all day... and an email. I called back on Wed... and we set up an interview for that Friday (Aug 1st)... which I had to have a 20 minute presentation for. So went that Friday (Aug 1st)... did my presentation and interview with 6 people and the Dean which I will be reporting directly to. They called the following Thurs (Aug 7th) to make me an offer (while I was in a car with several co-workers coming back from Denver).... so I called back Friday morning with a counter-offer on the the salary... she called back an hour later... and I accepted.

So even though the main campus is in Powell - I will get to work right at the sattelite campus in Cody.

I start Sept 2nd .

Dale will continue doing what he is doing for now... and can travel in and out of Cody or Cheyenne as the need be for now. We will be putting the house in Cheyenne up for sale by mid Sept ... and then later sell the place in Cody for a bigger place.

So Tues the 12th was the first chance after accepting the position that I could see my boss, Steve. (The day I accepted the job we were working at a golf tournament, and that Monday I was up in Powell teaching a class - and drove home that night).

I was in my office by 7:30am on Tues.... and left a voice message for him to call me as soon as he got in so I could come to his office and talk to him about "something important." He called by 8:30... so I went right over.
When I walked in his office, I closed the door behind me... and he said "Are you here to resign" - I said "Yes" - he was only joking and thought I was kidding...I kept having to say "really, I am resigning, my last day is the 28th" - and he didn't believe me until he read my resignation letter - I think he stopped breathing for a time... and his eyes were huge. After we talked he realized there is nothing he can offer to entice me to stay due to this great opportunity.... so he wished me well....

So my only real commitment for the next 2 weeks is to pull together everything I have as projects, document where we are and what needs to happen.... and to do staff annual performance reviews.

Everybody seems to be pretty shocked by my announcement....

I had to go over to the community college here in town to return some stuff for the class I taught on Monday the 11th up in Powell. They are SOOOO excited... since I will be their counterpart - and probably work as much if not more with them in this position.

For those of you who have been in the loop - you know we spend TONS of time up in Cody - it is where our passion is. We love the beauty and atmosphere there ---- and the incredible fly-fishing!!! For several years now we have been talking about retiring in Cody - just didn't know we would get to move there before retirement - and certainly not this soon.

I TRULY feel God has continued to bless Dale and I. We are so at peace with this move after praying about this opportunity. I know this is what He wants for us and has opened these doors. Everytime we start thinking about all the logistics and things to be done... I remember He will be there through it all.

God Bless --- and a new place for everybody to come to!!!