1969: Helplessly Hoping

On a dreary September day, the Frontier Airlines twin engine bumped down out of the clouds with five emancipated preppies onboard. We were dropping into a world that seemed as foreign as any other. As we glided over the valley, I surveyed the boundaries of my future. The grasses and river rolled endlessly north and south. The gray mat of clouds hung low and muted the colors of the season. Dry buttes stood sentry to the east and to the west the green flanks of the magnificent Teton Mountains hinted at the majesty I’d seen only in brochures. The “airport” was one low building with sorry siding and large, dingy windows.

We deplaned, apparently the only flight of the day, and stopped on the cool tarmac to have a look around. I felt Betsy’s elbow jab at my ribs, a certain comfort. Autumn was well on and the smell of molding hay and pines wafted in on a light breeze. At that moment, and unbeknown to me, the scent memories of Rocky Mountain west stole my heart forever.
As we rolled toward town in our rental car, Betsy, Sarah and I sang hopefully along with Crosby, Stills and Nash on the radio:


Helplessly Hoping



Helplessly hoping her harlequin

hovers nearby awaiting a word

Gasping at glimpses of gentle free spirit

he runs, wishing he could fly.

Only to trip at the sound of good-bye.

We are one person, we are two alone, we are three together… we are for each other…

We arrived at our rental ranch in the twilight of a long day.  The huge log ranch house sat on a hill that the wind blew up. Tall, stout ranch gates heralded “Fish Creek Ranch.”  I felt daunted by the immensity.  But in the morning, a pallid sun lit the valley and eased the dread of night. Each picture window framed a perfect postcard of our new life: the snow-dusted purple mountains, the willowed creek beds, the fertile valley, the hills of golden aspens and road to town and the unknown. As if on cue, a tall great-antlered moose trotted out of the willows, moving swiftly toward a six-foot fence. Just when I thought he would crash into it, he lifted his legs and floated over the rails. Effortless and stunning, he took that obstacle in stride, landed on the road and disappeared. It happened, I swear to God, and as I watched I rethought the obstacles in my life.