Author Archives: Samantha Ford

BETTY BONDS HATFIELD 8.01.2022

Bio: Teenage Dude, 1968
Descriptor: Dude with Westward HO Episcopal Church, Memphis, who came to WG with 35+ teenagers for a retreat to learn about themselves, others, the outdoors and their own spirituality. See Share Your Story postings by Father Dan Matthews and Julie Bonds Green and White Grass Oral History by Clare Leach.

Betty’s Story: My intro to White Grass Ranch was in the summer of 1968 when my cousin, Julie (Bonds) Greene invited me to join her pastor from Holy Communion Episcopal Church in Memphis, TN-Father Dan Matthews and his wife Deener-on a summer venture called, “Westward Ho”. I lived in Atlanta, Ga. We were also attending the Cathedral of St. Phillips Episcopal Church. I was so excited to be not only going with some 35+ teenagers on a trip out west, but to be spending time with my cousin, who was only 9 mos. older and like a sister, to go ride horses. She owned her own horse, Sheba, and I had been riding myself for a few years, and read any/all horse stories I could get my hands on such as: Adventures of Trixie Belden, or Justin Morgan had a Horse; but, to be out west and on a ranch-my dream come true! I invited my best friend, Betty Ann Turner, along for the “ride” who had literally never ridden before who had not ventured west of the Mississippi, who was apprehensive to say the least.

Needless to say, for us the bus ride out to Wyoming and back would have been adventure enough for us gals from Atlanta, Ga. However, little did we guess how much more was in store for us! What with riding “wild” horses, going into the town of Jackson Hole for the show at the Pink Garter and seeing a shoot-out in the center of town with an arch of antlers and riding into church to dismount and enter the most spiritual place I’d ever experienced with the wood pews, log cabin building with the alter superimposed in front of the backdrop of God’s Grand Tetons-who could not have felt God’s presence in this place!

The best and most important part of all my memories of our Westward Ho experience was not just sharing a cabin with 4 teens and a pot-bellied stove, but sharing our hearts as Father Dan lead us through incisive and revealing thought provoking and heart-growing talks relevant to the various places we found ourselves in as we were developing a greater world view and relating to grown-ups as well as other teens emotionally, spiritually and mentally through various exercises, one of which was writing down positive affirmations to one another and sharing those in the form of little notes we could read, re-read and carry home with us and which for my friend as well as myself as ‘outsiders’ made us feel so at home with all these teens we’d never met before.

This experience made me grateful and willing to seek out other teens when I got back home to fellowship with in a way I’d not experienced before. It changed my outlook on what was important and critical in life-to love, appreciate and accept others where they are and not limit myself to first impressions or assumptions. In addition to the talks heard, stories shared and experiences lived while out at White Grass Ranch with wranglers, other teens of all faiths and other races, and grown-ups who listened to us as if our opinions mattered meant the world to me and changed my perspective of how I fit into this grand picture God had created called planet Earth.

I will forever be thankful the experiences: feeling the freedom of galloping horseback across the open clearings as we trail rode and just living, breathing the fresh air of Nature and all it’s glory under the stars and shadows of the Grand Tetons-I knew I was alive, God was real and life, in all it’s forms, matter!! God bless and keep these miraculous adventures going for all teens from generation to generation and preserve our world in the glory and beauty and splendor He meant us to all experience it in. Betty Bonds Hatfield

Trip Wheeler 2.15.2022

Bio: Junior Wrangler 1976. Descriptor: Trip’s father was a wrangler at White Grass and encouraged Trip to work at the ranch. In 1976, he was a junior wrangler for Frank Galey where he lived in a canvas tent, wrangled horses off the mountain at 5:00 am, enjoyed the Sunday Barbecues, the dude ranch rodeos and evenings spent in Jackson bar hopping.

Trip’s Story: One of the best summers I can remember was as a “Junior Wrangler” at The White Grass Ranch the summer of my senior year in high school (1976). My father, Ted Wheeler, was a wrangler at The White Grass when he was young. Frank and my father were great buddies back then and remained close until Frank’s passing. He visited several times as time went on as a Dude to enjoy the fabulous atmosphere as well and the lifestyle we all found so great. Growing up, I learned to ride at a local day camp when I was 12 and caught the bug. After Tarleton Day Camp, I attended Camp Tecumseh for three years in New Hampshire where I worked in the stables to earn some tuition money. While working in the stables, I started teaching riding to the junior campers as well as some seniors and staff. Knowing that I loved riding, my dad reached out to Frank Galey and inquired about anything I might do at The White Grass. Frank offered me a spot in the “Junior Wrangler” program. Having no idea what I was in for off, I went.. Travel to The White Grass Ranch: Eighteen at the time, I was not a frequent flier so the idea of an unaccompanied flight to Wyoming, to a place I had never been, to “work” for people I had never met was daunting. Nevertheless, I made the flight without issue and was met by a quintessential cowboy named Lee at the Jackson Hole airport. I can only assume that this task given to Lee was not fully welcomed. Be that as it may, he was nice enough and into a ranch truck we jumped. Lee had brought along some provisions for the lengthy ride back to White Grass consisting of two six packs of Coors and some interesting smelling “tobacco” rolled into home made “cigarettes”. Needless to say, I was not about to be ungrateful to my host on day one so I shared the provisions on the ride. When we arrived at the ranch, Frank was outside waiting for his old buddy’s son to arrive. When he opened the door to the truck, my first step landed me face first on the warm Wyoming soil. My first impression was complete. My lodging for the next eight weeks was a large tent setup at the far edge of the ranch suitable for 8-10 cots. A wooden latrine had been constructed so that we could shower etc right there. When I arrived, there were two Philippine fellas about my age finishing up their stay at the ranch. They were leaving the next day, so I had the entire shangri la to myself. One particular night very late, I woke to the sound of a baby crying. There was a light in the “bathroom” that stayed on at night so as to be able to navigate in the dark. As the crying continued, I noticed a small obstruction move into the tent in the space between the tent and bathroom. Very shortly thereafter, I was alarmed to see a much larger “obstruction” block most of the light in the bathroom as it moved into the far end of the tent. Not waiting until I was able to come in contact with the issue, I put on my boots, backwards, and hightailed it down to the lodge. This was my introduction to the local black bear community. The White Grass Ranch had a weekly barbecue around the pond and one of the entrees was a pig cooked in a pit right there. The ranch had a dozen or more pigs in a pen that were kept for the purpose of the Sunday Barbecue. Not only did the guests, known as “Dudes”, enjoy the pigs when roasted but the local bear community would occasionally enter the pig pen and take one home to its family. The sound of that transaction was unbelievable as you can imagine. As a Junior Wrangler, various jobs are required as part of the duties of the position. One such was to wake up early, around 4:00 am, and saddle up to ride up into the meadows on the mountain behind the ranch to listen for the bells hung around the more popular horses necks and herd them down the familiar trails to the paddocks for the days Dude rides. The sights and varieties of elk, moose etc amongst the Aspens was breathtaking. Also very very cold. Multiple shirts and jackets were needed to keep warm enough during the journey. One particular morning while walking up a trail to the meadows, my horse Sheila stopped dead in her tracks. I attempted to continue but she wouldn’t have it. Suddenly from behind a bush close by, strutted a very large fully racked bull moose who probably weighed in around 1000 pounds or so. Both Sheila and I stood shaking while the moose eyed us up and thankfully kept moving. As the day warmed up, the layers would be shed. During the guest’s lunchtime a nice nap in the barn on some hay bales was a welcomed catchup break. Daily rides to Jenny Lake, Phelps Lake and the abandoned ranch next door as well as The Chapel of the Transfiguration were great fun for all. Bagged lunches would be prepared by the kitchen and loaded into saddlebags on a pack horse that we would bring along. A few times each summer, a “Pack Trip” was offered. Usually a three day ride through the Red Rock mountain area or some other area that was usually beautiful. Junior Wranglers duties were plentiful during all rides and pack trips. Being a Junior Wrangler meant that when the Wranglers didn’t want to do something, they would “offer” an opportunity for us to handle the task as a learning experience or just part of the deal. During night times, we might be invited to the ranch hands bunk houses to engage in relaxation activities or parties celebrating the day. On weekends, we might be able to head into Jackson Hole with the Wranglers for some fun. I visited The Silver Dollar Bar, which my father had told me about, The Cowboy Bar and other local watering holes. I witnessed a guy get his ear bitten off in a Cowboy Bar fight. Ah the sights! I was lucky enough to compete in the local rodeo with some of the WGR wranglers in the Wild Horse Race. Drunken cowboys, try to get a saddle and halter on an unbroken horse, mount it and ride to the other end of the arena and back. My job was the” ear biter”. A horse tends to stand still when someone/something has a clamp on its ear. That someone was me. Mouthful of hair but great fun. The experience I had those eight weeks in 1976 will never be forgotten. My family and I went back to Jackson Hole in 2014. My daughter is an excellent rider, primarily english but picked up western immediately. We stayed at The Red Rock Ranch in Kelly. One day my wife and I drove over to The White Grass. I guess they were 75% towards completion of the Ranger Training Center. It was a bit bittersweet as the barn, The Galey home, the pond and many cabins were gone. But it was great to stand there again. The caretaker showed us around and explained the renovations and had some old pictures that they used for reference. I feel blessed to have been able to experience The White Grass Ranch in it’s day as a working dude ranch. I believe all who visited and worked there were lucky as well.

Ted Wiederseim 12.23.2021

Bio: Ted’s father was WWII injured, recuperated at White Grass, cousin to owner, Frank Galey
Descriptor: Creating a White Grass like life in PA, experiences at WG with Frank Galey.

Ted’s Story: Remembrances of My Cousin Frank Galey and the White Grass Ranch – By Theodore “Ted” Wiederseim The first time I met Frank Galey was at my father’s funeral service at St. Andrews Episcopal Church, Ludwigs Corner, Pa. Even at the age of twenty, I remember Frank vividly as he walked into the church. My father, Harrison Caner Wiederseim, better known as ‘Topper’, was only fifty-five when he died. He and Frank were first cousins. His mother, my grandmother, was Eleanor Taylor Chandler, Frank’s aunt. His mother Marion Andrews Chandler and my grandmother were sisters. Being from Philadelphia, I knew two of Frank’s sisters (my father’s first cousins) very well; Helen ‘Henney’ F. Galey Scattergood and Marian ‘Mopsey’ Allison Galey Fox, later Ingersoll. Towards the end of Mopsey’s life, I would often take her out for a drink, or we’d play bridge or backgammon for hours. She was quite accomplished at all three. One of her sons, Fran Fox, is a rancher in Wyoming.

During World War II, my father Topper was with General Patton’s 3rd Army in France and Luxemburg where he was severely wounded. After initially recuperating at Valley Forge Army Hospital in a suburb of Philadelphia, he made his way to Cousin Frank’s White Grass Ranch to continue healing. His time at the ranch would forever change his life and, to a great extent, his family’s as well.

While recovering at the ranch he learned to ride and honed his gambling skills – I never knew until now why he loved silver dollars so much. I am sure he spent time at the Silver Dollar Saloon in Jackson Hole. Dad already knew how to drink, and drinking was done in earnest at the ranch. In hindsight, it probably wasn’t the best environment for him! Eventually, Topper made his way back to Pennsylvania, married and started a family.

We grew up in Birchrunville a beautiful bucolic countryside outside Philadelphia, perfect for four kids to run free. It was the 1960’s. What I didn’t know then was that Dad had created the White Grass Ranch, “East”, right in our own backyard. We had five horses and rode English, for my mother, but mostly we rode Western. Daily long trail rides were a year-round activity. At age 14 my friends and I were smoking cigarettes, drinking beer and gambling (mostly poker). And, more often than not, Dad would always sit in for a game or two of poker. That year I got a .38 revolver in my Christmas stocking. Shotguns were for pheasant, squirrel and rabbit hunting, rifles for target practice and handguns were all in play. In the summer we would camp out under the stars for weeks at a time complete with campfires and fishing for bass. All my friends loved coming to our 18th century farmhouse for this ongoing ‘wild, wild, west’ life. Dad would tell us all about the White Grass Ranch. In 1967, we were supposed to fly out on Piedmont Airlines. But it never happened.

At 66 years old, I decided it was time to visit the White Grass Ranch. In late September 2021, my fiancé Jean (I am a widower), along with my childhood friend Scott and his wife, Mimi and I made the trip. It was then I was able to put everything into perspective/meaning. I was awestruck with the beauty and flooded with emotions as we walked the Ranch. I could feel Dad there. As a side note, Scott knew Topper well being part of our ‘hole in the wall gang’ growing up. Elk hunting in Wyoming for the past fifteen years, Scott visited the White Grass Ranch about five years back which planted the seed in me to visit.

My father and Frank were a lot alike in many respects. Although to the manor born, the cousins didn’t care for nor adhere to the strict conventions Philadelphia Society that their families demanded. They preferred the lifestyle that White Grass Ranch offered, and they both liked to spend more money than they made. Interestingly, dad loaned Frank $10,000 for his West Indies venture which was eventually paid back. After posting pictures and my abbreviated story on my Facebook page, I received many comments from our Philadelphia friends. Stories about their parents and their parents’ friends visiting the White Grass Ranch every year. Apparently, Frank nurtured his Philadelphia connections Sadly, we have only one photo of Dad’s time at White Grass Ranch taking a canoe trip on the Snake River. In retrospect, I am sorry we never made the trip when dad was still alive. When I toured the ranch and saw the main lodge, especially the side room with fireplace, I could almost see my dad sitting there with Frank playing poker with the wranglers or a guest and loving every minute of it.

Harrison Caner Wiederseim, better known as ‘Topper’ post WWII injuries, Circa 1945.

Harrison Caner Wiederseim, better known as ‘Topper’ on canoe trip on the Snake River, Circa 1947.

Michael Marcroft 10.4.2021

Bio: White Grass Staff, 1983
Descriptor: $300/wk with room and board, my heart took root.

Michael’s Story: From late July, through the third week of August in 1983, I had the good fortune to work on White Grass Ranch.

Upon seeing The Tetons for the first time, I was so startled by the beauty of the mountain range, I quickly set out to find a way to sustain myself while in the area.

After checking with the local hardware store as to who may be hiring, I was directed to see if White Grass Dude Ranch had any openings. That same morning, I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Frank Galey. I vividly recall him asking me, “Well, what is it you can do?,… can you sing?, … do you play guitar? Chuckling to myself, I reluctantly admitted I’d been overlooked with respect to those particular talents, but could offer an honest day’s work for whatever needed to be done. For some reason, he felt persuaded to hire me as he suggested I could start the following morning.

As I recall, the position paid $300.00/wk, along with room and board… I quickly agreed to the terms, (then, upon further review), discovered workdays consisted of 6.5 days/wk, with Sunday afternoons off to tend to any/all personal needs in town. Sunday evenings were dedicated to the campfire entertainment time, primarily for the Dudes – and strictly voluntary for ranch hands, (… hence the talent inquiry.)

Being shown to one of the bunkhouses, I readily found myself in fast friendship with three other employees with whom I’d share the residence. Two bunk beds and a stove; I didn’t spend much time there but they were certainly adequate quarters. Two of the young men were cowboys. To my revelation, I soon realized that several of these young men didn’t own a car; their transportation was strictly horse power, … and they were pros!

These wranglers earned their keep by rising before dawn each morning, ride into the Tetons, round up the 50+/- horses of which the guest Dudes had come for their personal escape, … transporting them to the Western life they treasured! With the end of each day, the shuttered corral gates would widely swing open, exposing the freedom from that day’s surrender. I will never forget the incredible display of beauty as these eager broncos ran unbridled to their liberty! The unmistakable look of emancipation on their faces left an indelible impression on mine!

With respect to my daily chores, most mornings I would help brush down the stock and prepare them for that day’s ride. Also at times, I’d bail hay that grew on the property just below the main cabin, as well as, general carpentry duties around the many cabins. Harsh weather would undoubtedly spawn shortened lifespans to the ranch equipment, so the need for repair was in demand on a regular basis. Always a good day’s work!

One of the true pleasures for me, flowed from the fact the Galeys would also employ co-eds to help with the food prep and cabin cleaning, … some of the nicest people I’d ever met. I was 26 years young at the time, and felt I was the luckiest guy in the world! I couldn’t have stumbled onto a better place! I say that because most evenings, once all the Dudes had eaten supper, then the hired help would dine, …. but soon afterward, we’d often play volleyball just behind the main cabin’s dining hall. Much more for fun than competition, we’d play until the last of daylight faded away. Wonderful times!

Friendships made were generous. I arrived to the ranch driving my ’76 V.W. Westfalia, soon realizing the vehicle was in dire need of a clutch replacement. I mention this, because one of the other ranch hands I’d befriended, donated the better part of his Sunday afternoon changing out my worn part, without a second thought; … he was just happy to do it! Thank you, Ben!

Toward the end of the third week of August, I conceded to the idea of moving on. I had previously committed to attending the graduation of a younger sister in Phoenix. In sharing that news with Mr. Galey, he asked me to reconsider, saying he was hoping I’d stay on and look after the ranch for the upcoming winter, while he would he relocated the stock to a more desirable venue. After careful consideration, I declined the invitation. My mind was settled on pursuing my journey East, although my heart had taken root.
I often wonder how that decision changed my life, if I had only stayed!

Just over 38 years later, on Sept 9th of this year (2021), my wife and I traveled to White Grass Ranch from our home in Salinas, California. We thoroughly enjoyed the chance to spend time with Herb and Sally Ford, White Grass Ranch caretakers. They were truly a wealth of information and a pleasure to speak with! We appreciate their insight into the ranch history and look forward to revisiting the lure, solitude, and majesty I’d come to know and love!

With all sincerity, Michael Marcroft

Herb & Sally Ford 9.30.2021

Bio: Seasonal Caretakers at White Grass Since 2019
Description: No class at White Grass in 2021 but plenty of tasks accomplished.

Herb & Sally’s Story: Sally and I just completed our 3rd year as White Grass Ranch Caretakers and it was yet another memorable experience. We arrived with expectations that Covid would be under control and that life on the Ranch would be back to normal. Covid was beginning to be somewhat controlled thru vaccines but because of the Variant D and some folks refusing vaccines, life at the Ranch was a repeat of 2020. No classes except an outdoor Log class and no guest students. Lack of training didn’t stop us from being extremely busy. We had numerous projects that kept us busy including reworking the opening and closing procedures, resolving a moisture issue under the Kitchen in the Main (West End) and lifting the West side of the porch to resolve a water pooling issue. While we had the porch disassembled the decision was made to replace all Porch decking with new tongue and groove flooring. In addition to these projects we also fully linseed oiled the Main Cabin as well as Cabin 11. It is amazing the transformation that occurs after oiling has been completed. Lots of bears this season and lots of Elk. The Rocky Mountain Youth Corp came out this year and did an enormous amount of work on the property; clearing and bucking logs, trimming low hanging limbs from trees and working on Ranch paths was just of a few of the many tasks completed. Looking back over this list of accomplishments we really did get a lot done and we’re grateful to everyone who pitched in to help. Our closer volunteers this year (Fred/Janet/ and Sharon) were fantastic. We’re looking forward to working with them again. I would encourage and do encourage all people connected to the ranch in some for or fashion to share their story. We met several people this year who had stories from the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and we hope to see their posts soon. We’re looking forward to coming back in 2022 and hope and pray that we get see the Ranch full of students and guests looking to share the wonder and beauty that is White Grass Ranch. Until next year; Take care and God Bless you all.

Herb and Sally Ford 9.30.2020

Bio: Herb and Sally, Volunteer Caretakers at White Grass, 2019-20
Descriptor: White Grass and the COVID-19 Pandemic

Herb & Sally’s Story: Another season in paradise complete and we’re looking forward to 2021. We just completed our second season as Caretakers at White Grass Ranch and to say it was unique would be an understatement. With the Covid 19 Pandemic in full swing, life on the Ranch was significantly different than the past season. We had NO students or volunteers on site for the season; limited cleaning and no linen service. All preservation workshops at White Grass were also cancelled for the season. We did have some staff from the Historic Preservation Training Center (National Park Service in Fredrick, MD (Jim, Steve, Brian, Josh, Garrett, and Khyle) staying on the Ranch while doing preservation work at the Rudd House on Mormon Row. Because of the pandemic there was no sharing of cabins. We had to use twin cabins with one side cleared of furniture so we could set up a makeshift kitchen with refrigerators, microwaves and tables to use as residents cooking and eating facilities. We also utilized both the Hammond Kitchen and Main Kitchen but limited the numbers allowed in the kitchen at the same time. Social distancing and use of face masks was a big part of our time on the Ranch, at the Headquarters and in town. When we arrived in May, there were ~1.68M US cases of Covid 19 with 98K deaths; when we left there were over 5.01M cases in the US with 162K deaths. Since that time we’ve reached over 200K deaths in the US. We are hopeful a vaccine will be developed and this will be brought under control in the near future.

There was a full time maintenance person (Joel B.) brought on to help do concentrated work at White Grass on issues needing very skilled labor in which to accomplish. As the major project for this summer, all window and door facings on the property were removed and all external finishing planed off so that a combination of linseed oil, pine tar, and black linseed paint could be applied to protect the wood as well as give the appearance of the look of the surfaces back in 1950. Joel’s mixture and the process we used turned out exceptional and I think those returning to White Grass next season and beyond will be very pleased with the results. I was fortunate to work beside him during this process and be a part of the transformation. Thank you, Joel.

Sally, in additional to normal administrative management of the property, took on the task of inventorying and acquiring new curtains where needed. Since windows are not the same size, measurements were taken, conditions assessed and recommendations made for replacements. This work should put us in good shape for the 2021 season.

Walk-in traffic through the Ranch continued with no decrease from last year. We had approximately 200 people come onto the property to view the cabins and to listen to some historical information of the Ranch and days gone by. While this year was unique, one thing that doesn’t change is the unparalleled beauty and serenity of the Ranch. We still felt the history with every step on the property and the feeling of completeness having experienced another season at White Grass – some things will NEVER change.

Herb and Sally Ford, White Grass Volunteer Resident Caretakers

Elk in the Meadow at White Grass – Spring, 2020

HPTC Staff Removing Chimney and Putting New Roof on Rudd House on Mormon Row, Grand Teton National Park

Craftsman Joel B (L) and Herb Ford (R) Rehabilitating Window Trim, Main Cabin

Snow First Week of September 2020, Main Cabin

William “Dub” Lloyd 6.10.2020

Bio: Wrangler 1983; Volunteer, 2015-2019
Descriptor: His meaningful return to White Grass via invitation by the Ranch Caretaker.

William’s Story: Dub was invited to volunteer at the Ranch and brought with him, his partner, Marilyn Smith, both talented woodworkers He pays tribute to the ranch and Ranch Caretaker, Roger Butterbaugh.

Dub was invited to volunteer at White Grass and brought with him, his partner, Marilyn Smith, both talented woodworkers He pays tribute to the ranch and Ranch Caretaker, Roger Butterbaugh in the following poem.

Many years did wranglers tend to the remuda of horses. Did years pass when wranglers tended to the needs of man and horse as to the pleasures of what White Grass Ranch had to offer?

White Grass Ranch, a dude ranch destination of those from America’s Eastern States placating those dudes born of families of prestige. Brought together, aligned with the values that the Western Cowboy Mystique, of what White Grass Ranch had to offer.

Yes, as a flat lander, I was fortunate to partake. My youth shrouded by the jungle of Southern Yellow Pines, cloaked within the mushroom shaped massive oaks and elms that inhabit Mississippi. By prompt of wanderlust, I did set out for Western adventures unknown and White Grass was there.

1983, did I find myself, standing under an antlered arch, downtown, Jackson Hole Wyoming? In need of a job, and the antics of the allowance by God, to be an attendant on a dude ranch, was I directed to White Grass?

Those days of so long ago are as photos of black and white. Memories of a time that my mind chooses to cling, yet as memory fades, so does the black and white.

My mind of 60 plus years, knees and muscle, brittle bones and loss of hair does pay tribute to Roger Butterbaugh for that one email. . . A request for submission to return to White Grass as a volunteer. A forlorn dream of my passing young life, a recurrence where life took a turn for the better.

To you my reader, I do so introduce, proclaim a true life blood inherit, one bound to the preservation of my beloved ranch of spiritual rebirth, White Grass Ranch, Moose, Wyoming.

White Grass Caretaker, Roger Butterbaugh, contributor of heart that inspired me to write this poem.

Written by William ‘Dub’ Lloyd on June 23, 2018.

Marilyn Smith and William ‘Dub’ Lloyd on reproduction bench they built for the Hammond Cabin.

Eileen Mikielian 5.5.2020

Bio: Ranch guest in 1962, 64 & 65 with her parents.
Descriptor: Discovering Nature via Her White Grass Experience

Eileen’s Story: My parents, Hugh and Anne Rafferty, first went to White Grass as guests in 1960 or so. They traveled with John and Helen Pickens. They returned as many times without the kids, probably yearly for 4-5 years. We went for the first time as a family in 1962 and had two more visits in 1964 and last in 1965. My sister Sheila Rafferty Ahumada worked there the summer of 1965. I was a little kid then but I will never forget the moment I realized the magic of nature. The kids were taken on an overnight, by horseback up to a lake – maybe Jenny Lake?? At the base of the lake was a small hill that some of us took to climbing. At the top, in its majesty, was the Grand Teton. It was almost as if I could touch it, it seemed so close. I had never seen anything so beautiful – if my eye had been a camera. I will never forget – and will always go ’round a bend’ or ‘up a hill’ because you will never know what you will find. And, I am a Family Nurse Practitioner. One day, while seeing a college student, we were chatting what she did over the summer. She said she had worked at a dude ranch in Wyoming. I told her about White Grass and Moose…and she told me that White Grass had closed abruptly that summer with the death of Frank. Quite unprofessionally I cried. But, she got it. She worked at a neighboring ranch which hired many of the staff, abruptly let go. We were so happy to know that the beauty of White Grass has been preserved. About 15 years ago my sister Sheila, her husband, and our brother Put went back to Wyoming to visit the ranch. Sheila took a handful of dirt as a remembrance. I have attached some of those pictures also.