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.