Author Topic: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY  (Read 3548 times)

Offline 338_LM

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Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« on: April 21, 2009, 09:25:51 AM »
Greetings to any and all reading this...

Just wanted to introduce myself.  I moved to Wyoming at 20 and just turned 40.  It's literally where I became a man, learned to shoot, learned to survive.  I'm self-employed and I've ranched, built livestock handling equipment, homes, vehicles, and alternative energy systems (this post brought to you by "the sun").

I grew up in a big eastern city falling into social chaos (a murder a day, typical).  My small family made the decision to have an outpost in a free state.  That meant no income tax and personal freedom were of utmost importance.  Wyoming fit the bill perfectly, with good ranches selling for $80/acre, and the local gov't keeping it's nose out of our business of "Hard Work + Dedication = Reward."

I am now astounded by the direction of our rapidly rabidly growing Federal Government, and whittling away of our Liberty.  I am shocked by their disregard for the simple physical law that "Nothing is Free."  I am even more horrified by the gov't and media's assault on decent people and especially, their values.  And now they're worried about veterans?  Just keep pokin' that bear... 

To those considering Wyoming, I can say that after two decades my love affair continues with our great state.  It's the only place I've lived that, upon returning home and crossing the state line, brings a sigh of relief, and occasionally a tear of gratitude to my father, for seeing the future and taking a risk.   Thanks Dad.  Rest in Peace, my Friend.  (He's buried on our ranch - LEGALLY.)

Some random thoughts...  Wyoming is an awesome place for self-actualized folk looking for freedom.  If you're looking for malls and movies, Gucci and sushi, forget it.  NPR exists for those who can stomach it.  Good vegetables can be hard to get and raw milk is illegal, but with a garden and some goats, you'll be fine.  Medical care is potentially questionable.  I have personal horror stories.  There are some die-hard great docs, but many are transient, so don't get attached.

To Boston - just started Molon Labe and the Introduction had my chin on the floor.  Wow - you nailed it.  Bravo.  Looking forward to finishing it in the next couple nights.  I'd just sit and read it, but my boss is an ass.   ;D

338_LM

-- -------------

God, Guns, and Guts built America
Gold, Goats and Gardens keep us Free and Independent
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A government should not be conflated with "the country", or "the people". It's an entity with its own interests, and will always put it's interests first. It treats its subjects as milk cows and if it has to, it will treat them as beef cows.

Offline manfromnevada

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #1 on: April 21, 2009, 09:55:24 AM »
Hey! That's a great 1st post 338!
That right there is the great American spirit that most of us hold in great esteem.
Hope to hear more from you in the near future.

Mac
All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing.
<Edmund Burke>

Offline Boston

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #2 on: April 21, 2009, 11:21:13 AM »
Welcome here, 338_LM, and thanks for the kind praise.
Please tell your good neighbors about the FSW!
 ~W~
Boston

Offline MamaLiberty

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #3 on: April 21, 2009, 01:34:33 PM »
How wonderful to hear from you! And Welcome!!!  Your testimony should be great encouragement to those coming from city environments especially. Hope you can come to the campout here near Newcastle and meet some of the FSW folks who will be proud to be your neighbors.
It's not that people are dumber, it's that stupidity used to be more painful.

Offline wyomiles

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #4 on: April 21, 2009, 01:37:25 PM »
Howdy 338_LM, Glad to have you here.
" Cultivators of the earth are tied to their country and wedded to it's liberty and interests by the most lasting bonds" --Thomas Jefferson --1785

Offline Bigduane

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #5 on: April 21, 2009, 07:17:22 PM »
Whats up 338_LM? In 1988 I had a chance to buy 20 acres of land near Miles City Montana. It was through Rocky Mountain Timberlands, the same company you see advertizing in Backwoodshome and Countyside. $450.00 down and $99.00 a month for ten years. It would be long paid off now and I would be living in my cabin, but I was chasing a woman, and she did not want to live in Montana, "Its too cold there". So I never sent them my cash. I am glad for you that your Father was smarter than I was. I am coming to Wyoming to visit next year and moving permanently in 3 years. I have to pay off some credit cards first. I am also 40, be 41 in July, I hope we live long enough to see the return of real Freedom and Liberty to this country.
 Bigduane
Why am I not in Wyoming Already? Because I have been lazy for years. I am coming to visit in 2010. To live forever in 2012. Look out Wyoming!!

Offline 338_LM

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #6 on: April 21, 2009, 09:17:00 PM »
Thanks to everyone so far for the warm greeting.  I know I'll enjoy being a part of the community here.  Been missing out on like-minded folk.  I thought the 90's were bad, as that's when I became politically aware, bought my first firearms, learned to weld and machine metal, went shoulder-deep in the business end of cows, built my home, earned my folks' respect, etc. 

Sheesh.  Oh, for the 90's again.  Now...  Progress, eh?  These progressives are progressing us right into oblivion, and 9/10 people don't seem to care, so long as the Bread and Circus is there.

I remember discussing hyperinflation years ago with a hard-workin', coal-minin', CNN-watchin' Wyoming friend.  His reply was, basically, "I don't know what you're talking about, or anything about economics, but that can't happen to us!"  I have intelligent, successful friends around the US and the world, but it's the same story with them.  That old "nothing is free" Law might apply to physics and chemistry, but economics couldn't possibly be governed by any laws of nature, could it?  Ignorance is bliss, eh?

Bigduane...  It's tough to get women to come to Wyoming!  Or keep 'em here!  My first wife of over a decade WAS a Wyoming girl.  She bugged out for the big city, on the arm of a screaming Progressive.  Am (more) happily married again, to a European woman, who was just tickled-pink to get the hell out of her Big Tax, Big Brother socialist country and come live in the middle of nature, without a yard light to see in any direction.  She and I see eye-to-eye on most things, BUT I'm only allowed to rant ten minutes a day.  It's definitely better for my blood pressure, anyway.   ;)

Best to everyone...  Tomorrow is going to be another one of those post-spring-snow ~80ยบ days that turns Wyoming in to four or five weeks of "Ireland".  It's my favorite time here, and we all cherish it.  The meadowlarks are singing too, and they make it even better.

338_LM


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A government should not be conflated with "the country", or "the people". It's an entity with its own interests, and will always put it's interests first. It treats its subjects as milk cows and if it has to, it will treat them as beef cows.

Offline Danl

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #7 on: April 22, 2009, 02:19:06 AM »
Thanks for the great post 338_LM.  What an encouragement and be sure to know you are welcome here!

Regards, Danl ~W~
Alea iacta est, Molon Labe!
"I can see the faces of those who died when I refused to fight for freedom!"? Mefford
"Danl, Not an invader and liberator of Wyoming, but rather a refugee from the tyranny of Illinois."
Blog: Shall Not Be Infringed

Offline Bigduane

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #8 on: April 24, 2009, 12:35:33 PM »
 I bet the ranchland is not $80.00 an acre anymore, is it? >:D
 Bigduane
Why am I not in Wyoming Already? Because I have been lazy for years. I am coming to visit in 2010. To live forever in 2012. Look out Wyoming!!

Offline 338_LM

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #9 on: April 26, 2009, 09:09:40 AM »
I bet the ranchland is not $80.00 an acre anymore, is it? >:D
 Bigduane

Not with a billionaire spending the last ten years buying up well over 100,000 acres near us.  He didn't flinch at paying ten times the value for property.  So much for the "good old days".
--------------------
A government should not be conflated with "the country", or "the people". It's an entity with its own interests, and will always put it's interests first. It treats its subjects as milk cows and if it has to, it will treat them as beef cows.

Offline DarkSide

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #10 on: May 04, 2009, 10:37:09 PM »
Some random thoughts...  Wyoming is an awesome place for self-actualized folk looking for freedom.  If you're looking for malls and movies, Gucci and sushi, forget it.

I'm gonna have to differ on one small point.  You see, I grew up here, then joined the service, left, and then (a bit late in my opinion) found my way back.  Dragged my wife who grew up in the city and now she loves it here.  Been back a half dozen years now, and while I don't regret the time spent in the military and in other places, I gotta wonder why I ever left.  But I digress.  While overseas I acquired a taste for sushi.  Sometimes I have business meetings in Denver or Boulder, and while it reeks of socialism and such things there, at least there is pretty good sushi to be had.  Finally I discovered the answer - I went down to our local version of a culinary institute and learned to make it myself.  Albertson's has fresh frozen (I know, I know) sushi grade tuna, you just gotta ask for it.  And never buy what's in the case.  Funny story - My dad (who transplanted us from Oklahoma when I was a couple of months old) was sitting in our kitchen watching me cut up raw fish and basically giving me hell for being a "citified girly man" when I nailed him with a particularly piercing gaze (if I do say so myself) and said "Pop, do you really think the mountain men cooked every trout they caught in those mountains out yonder window?"  Long pause, then "Sounds to me like you're the girly man."  Longer pause.  Then he picked up a chunk of raw salmon, dabbed it in a little too much wasabi and tossed it down.  After the expected reaction he tried it again.  Then again.  Half a plate of raw tuna and salmon later I had to cut him off - "Dad, you not leaving me enough to make the sushi rolls!"  "I don't know what I though sushi was," he said, "but this is damn good!" 

Anyway, pretty much everything in the original post was spot on, and right in line with my own way of thinking.  Malls?  sorta.  Movies?  yeah, wish there was an Imax closer than Denver, but I don't want the population here it would take to support it.  Guess I can live without it.  Gucci?  Wasn't he a Penthouse photographer?  Sushi?  Yeah, it's here.  Ya just gotta make it yourself.  ;)

DS

Offline 338_LM

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #11 on: May 05, 2009, 08:15:19 AM »
Can't argue that, DarkSide.  We roll 'em up here too.  Just one more reason why Wyoming is that great "do it yourself" place for people who can form their environment into what they desire.  While really fresh raw goat cheeses can't be had here either, goats and caves ARE available. ;)  We could go on and on.

I also agree - I would not want the population required to support all that big-city "culture".  I'm a patient man and the internet, coupled with UPS and FedEx, make Wyoming the perfect place for us.

BTW, thanks for your service. 

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A government should not be conflated with "the country", or "the people". It's an entity with its own interests, and will always put it's interests first. It treats its subjects as milk cows and if it has to, it will treat them as beef cows.

Offline HardwareHank

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Re: Two Full Decades in Big Wonderful WY
« Reply #12 on: May 16, 2009, 07:16:36 AM »
Not with a billionaire spending the last ten years buying up well over 100,000 acres near us.  He didn't flinch at paying ten times the value for property.  So much for the "good old days".

That's the problem all over the West... Wyoming included.

Investment bankers have been buying-up ranchland and mountain property for years... first thing they do is put-up their fences and "No Trespassing" signs.. then hire a local at minimum wage to keep the interlopers off.

But... as long as Wyomingites are willing to sell their heritage for the dollar... the trend will continue.

I know this sentiment ain't popular with FSW'ers.. but I repeat it again.. THANK GOD FOR PUBLIC LANDS.

"If'n George Washington was alive today... he'd buy two things... a rifle and a roadmap to Washington DC"