publisher’s note
fall 2024
Fall usually brings peace of mind with its warm days, chilly nights, garden harvests, and vivacious colors. It’s a nostalgic feeling for most – a time to reflect on the busy summer days that flew by and the process of settling in for the cold months to come.
This fall does not feel like that. Our state is hurting. Our country is hurting.
While hurricanes are sweeping through the southeastern part of our country, Wyoming is in flames. Now over 75,000 acres, the Elk Fire is ripping through the northern region of the state and is still growing at this time.
Recent high winds have caused the Pack Trail Fire to merge with the older Fish Creek Fire west of Dubois. Collectively, the two fires have burned over 60,000 acres and added to the 700,000 that Wyoming has lost to infernos this year alone.
It’s raining ash here in Lander which is something that I’ve never experienced in my life. The way the sky matches the trees these days is an apocalyptic feeling.
There’s an Irish saying that “thin places” are where the veil between heaven and earth are especially small, or even non-existent. To me, Wyoming is one of those thin places, with its ethereal natural beauty. It pains me to see it burn.
My heart goes out to the firefighters and emergency responders who are actively trying to protect this state, and I pray for their safety as they fight for the communities threatened by these blazing flames. We’ve already lost so much.
This is the fourth issue of Adventures in the West and the last one for 2024. Featuring a tenacious hunter, a storyteller of mystery and history, and a local off-road park, my goal is to offer stories that both inspire and provide a sense of hope and perseverance. It also includes tips for emergency food storage planning and a family-oriented pumpkin recipe – a little comfort and a little safety.
Blaine and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary in September, in addition to breaking ground to build our little homestead. As we navigate these trying times, we aim not to be overwhelmed by all that is going wrong but instead concentrate on the simple things that make life worth living. Embrace your loved ones. Be there for your neighbor. Try to find your “thin place.”
The fires may burn, and the cold may come, but seek out the good among the bad. Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Press on.
Melanie Limpus
