It all began on the Lazy L & B

It was the spring of 1970 and I was just completing my second year of college when I received a phone call from my aunt Leota asking me if I'd be interested in coming to work for her in the summer at a new dude ranch they had recently purchased outside of Dubois, Wyoming. My job description would involve cooking and general preparations for guests as well as helping with the horse operation and leading trail rides into the surrounding mountains and valleys. Although I had very little experience in any of these areas I quickly accepted the offer with visions of cowboys, saddles, and campfires under the stars. When finals were complete I jumped into a pickup with my aunt and off we rumbled over many a rough road before we arrived on the top of a ridge looking down onto the new ranch. My first glimpse took my breath away; not only for the beauty of red cliffs kissed by the afternoon sun, or the birch trees clustered along the winding Wind River Valley with rustic, log cabins nestled in their branches but also the view of a treacherous road we were about to travel in order to reach the valley floor. Oh, this summer is going to be a continual adventure I thought as I sat clinging with white knuckles to the rattling door handle as my aunt expertly manuvered the rock strewn narrow path.
First impressions are lasting and I'll never forget that site nor the days of serving "chow" to laughing boys during 6 weeks of boy's ranch, riding my horse, "Boy", up narrow ravines leading 20 or more kids and adults to the upper ranch, barrel riding in the corral, frying pancakes & bacon over an open fire and many other life-changing events on the ranch.
Here I am but a mere 40 years later sitting on a horse riding once again with my aunt, 86 years "young", through the same ravines, fording the same Wind River, climbing the same hills and my mind returns to those happy days just described. I had forgotten the sweet smell of a leather saddle and the rocking chair gait of the horse's rhythm I so loved. Oh to be 20 again. We can't go back yet God allows us to remember and enjoy and be so greatful for past experiences that shape our lives. It was on Leota's ranch I learned to cook, to ride a horse, to adore children, to work hard, and to love God's creation.
There is a memory verse found in 1 Samuel 12:24 that comes to mind today: "But be sure to fear the Lord and serve him faithfully with all your heart; consider what great things he has done for you." He has indeed done great things for me and one of those is to allow me to return to Wyoming and ride a horse through the Wind River Valley and reminisce with my Aunt Leota.