Bio: Waitress, 1964-1966. Descriptor: Wonderful summers at White Grass, the magic there and becoming a Westerner moving from Vermont.
Elizabeth’s Story: I came to White Grass from Vermont, thanks to my sister Karin. She sent me money for the bus, and I set out sometime in June 1964 for three days and two nights, nonstop. I had never been west of New York, so it was quite a trip. I remember waking up on the last morning on the bus and seeing white capped mountains in the distance. I couldn’t believe my eyes. I was met at the bus station in Jackson by my sister and Garey (Epple) Neal and rushed off to buy a pair of cowboy boots. I arrived at the ranch at night and the next morning was totally blown away by the sight of the mountains right in the back yard! Karin and I were waitresses, which was hard because the cook was often grumpy, but great because we had the afternoons to ride off into the woods. I can’t remember any happier times than those days of riding and working and being with the other “help”. The girls lived in a cabin with big enough cracks between the logs so I could look outside from my bunk to see what kind of day it was. The guys lived in the “bachelor quarters” (BQ) and there was a constant stream of pranks between them (see the reference to the pig, short-sheeting, etc.). I remember one memorable party at the BQ when people were “surfing” in the irrigation ditch on ironing boards. I ended up with the trophy (I don’t remember who actually won it), which was a piece of wood with a beer can nailed to it. Sometimes we would sneak into the kitchen at night for a midnight snack, which was frowned upon. One night Monty Bassett and I were scrounging cereal and I was having some qualms about being caught. Monty said,” No one will know.” Frank’s voice came over the intercom, saying “SOMEONE will know”, and scaring us out of our wits. We had wonderful parties by the pond, Frank having a piano brought in on the back of a pickup, and Dave Wendt singing cowboy songs for the dudes. I came back two more summers, and White Grass never lost its magical appeal. I became a Westerner after that, teaching in Encampment WY and now living in Denver.