2010 Recap

Happy Easter! (Ok, so we’re late getting the Merry Christmas and Happy New Year bit out again this year)

Jason had his craziest year ever as a Game Warden/Access coordinator for Wyoming Game & Fish. The agency tends to do five year contracts with Private Lands/Public Wildlife landowners he works with and the Commission approved a payment rate increase five years ago for landowners. Of course, most everyone renewed that year (2005), so it seemed like EVERYONE expired in 2010. Instead of having time to work with the usual 30 to 40 contracts, update some rules and maps, Jason had to sort through and renew nearly 200 contracts! A few good leads also culminated this year and he added several new access areas, including one that opened just over 140,000 acres for deer, elk, and pronghorn hunting. Then, after a frantic summer getting signs put up on properties, Jason finally got to do “normal” game warden duties and had more cases than he has had since he took this position in 2006. He is hoping for a quieter year in 2011, even though he was just elected to be the Laramie Region’s “Leadership Team” chair.

In March, Trey became the Executive Director of Laramie Main Street, a non profit that works to revitalize the historic downtown through historic preservation, special events, and the success of small businesses. Trey has already received numerous accolades in her new position and enjoys working with the business owners that make downtown a fun place to work, shop, and play. (You can follow Laramie Main Street, via Trey on Facebook by “liking” Downtown Laramie, Wyoming.)

When she isn’t working or taking photographs, Trey continues to serve as President of the local historical society. She is also the Social Ministry coordinator for our church, is on the board of the Laramie Plains Museum, and is the newest committee member for the National Council for Public History’s “New Professional” award. Yep, she has finally cut down on some of her volunteer responsibilities!

The dogs, Tillie and Shelby, continue to entertain us with their antics, and Cooter, the horse, has been training Jason. We lost our “tough” New York City cat, Rocky, this fall. The house hasn’t been the same without him—and not just because there are fewer hairballs.

We also lost Trey’s Grandpa, Charles “Chuck” Beyer on October 20th at the young age of 90 (he had a youthful, energetic spirit). He slipped away peacefully in Powder Springs, Georgia surrounded by family. Trey was able to take a week off work to say goodbye and help with funeral arrangements. Grandpa Chuck was a wonderful Christian man, mentor to many, a great encourager, and always wore a smile. We all miss him very much.

A recap of other highlights of 2010:
• Enjoyed our fourth season of broomball, injury free;
• Purchased a new truck after we were hit head on in the old one, injury free;
• Discovered the joys of homemade smoked meats;
• Became Godparents;
• Got to meet, kiss and hug the twins from Ethiopia;
• Great lunch of black eyed peas and lemon ice box pie at the Silver Skillet in Atlanta, Georgia with Trey’s parents;
• Purchased a chromed out Harley Sportster 1200;
• Jason graduated from Game & Fish’s Leadership Development One;
• Trey got a new camera!

We wish you all happiness and joy in the New Year. Remember, our guest room is always available; reservations recommended but not needed so please stop in anytime you are in the area.

God’s blessings,

Trey and Jason Sherwood

A new outlook

Auh… deep breath, things are good! Hunting season has come and gone and Jason and I are getting to spend more time together. Work is going well; I’m finally hitting my stride and feel more confident about the daily ins and outs of operations.

Jason got me a new camera for Christmas (let me open it early) and I’ve been shooting photos downtown and took pictures at a friend’s wedding. I forgot how much I enjoyed running around with a camera in my hands!

Jason’s big Christmas gift was a new scope for one of his guns. I’ll let him tell you more about it in a later post!

We are looking forward to Christmas. Not sure where we will end up. Guess it depends on the roads and winter weather but we hope to see the Sherwood – Hoffman clan sometime soon. (We miss you guys!)

For your viewing enjoyment, some random photos with my new Canon 7D:

DOWNTOWNWEDDING:
For more wedding photos, visit: http://wyomingphotographer.blogspot.com/

Waiting for paper...

Just one itty bitty piece if paper that will confirm what I already know (but can't count because it hasn't hatched). Hope to get it before I process payroll tomorrow!

A week of flattery…

So maybe I deserve it, I’ve had a rough year.
Last week Laramie Main Street received Business of the Year from the Laramie Board of Realtors. Last night, we were recognized for our work constructing and landscaping the First Street Plaza and received a cash award from the Laramie Beautification Committee. Tonight, I got the most flattering email from an M.A. student at George Mason University stating, “I am writing today because I will be leading a class discussion on your article: "From Farm to Factory: Transitions in Work, Gender and Leisure at Banning Mill, 1910-1930s" ... My peers and I have been trying to learn both about historical topics and historians. Would you be willing to share two bits of information with me for my discussion?
First: What prompted your interest in this topic?
Second: What are you working on right now?”

Boy did I give her an earful! My life story in fact. Felt like a real historian again…

It is good to be recognized for all the hard work, dedication and tears I pour into my projects. Now if I could get some time off to reflex and relax!

Laramie Main Street is gearing up for a bunch of new holiday events downtown. We’ve got something going on from Dec. 1 to the 20th. Needless to say, I’m looking forward to a very quiet Christmas with Jason and the Sherwood-Hoffman clan. It will be good to have some down time.

No big plans for Christmas this year. It is our turn to get snowed in in Wyoming. (Someone remind me to get a good book from the library so I don’t have to venture out…)

I’m currently reading, “When Everything Changed: The Amazing Journey of American Woman from 1960 to the Present” a very feminist portrayal of the women’s movement between 1960 and 1990. It is based on oral histories and is an enjoyable and approachable read. (Did you know women could not open a checking account without a co signature from their husband or father?)

I’m also addicted to Mad Men and am leaning towards going as a 60’s housewife for our New Years Eve costume party! (I just started season 2 so no spoilers please).

Open door invite on the party, New Year’s Eve, friends, family, and little ones are all invited! Come as your favorite historic figure or couple!

P.S. Hunting season is almost over!!! Yah!!!

Do Bad Things Really Come in Threes?

This year has been an up and down of good, bad, good, bad, etc. Weeks were we just feel hammered by life. Instead of living life in full steam ahead mode, I keep wondering what’s around the next corner?

You already know this week has been hard with the passing of our cat, Rocky. Yesterday we got a call from the boarding facility that has our horse Cooter. They informed us he got himself stuck in his pen and beat himself up pretty bad. Jason took him to the vet who kept him overnight for observation. His face was swollen and he was breathing funny. This afternoon Jason was able to pick him up and take him back to the “ranch” but we’ll have to watch him carefully the next few days.

Then this evening I got a call from my mother letting me know my Grandpa Beyer is in the hospital in Cobb County, Georgia. He is dehydrated and has little to no appetite. He hasn’t been feeling well for the past month. The good news is his heart is healthy and he started to perk up after the first IV. They will be keeping him overnight and will be running tests in the morning. We are hoping for good news by the end of tomorrow.

Please keep Grandpa and the entire Beyer-Sherwood family in your prayers. For as many blessings we receive daily from God, this last stretch from March on (since the truck accident)has been really hard on our family. Please lift us up so that we can be strong for our loved ones.

Hunting season is upon us and Jason and I won’t see each other much the next few months. It is comforting to know that you are thinking of us.

God Bless,
Trey and Jason

RIP Rocky

Rocky, our rescue kitty from New York passed away this morning. He was a big 12 lb. cat who LOVED to eat. Earlier this week, when he didn’t let me know his food bowl was empty, I knew something was wrong. (He typically cries VERY loudly when he is hungry!) I made him a vet appointment last night and this morning, when I got ready to put him in his carrier, he cried when I picked him up. He was very uncomfortable. Turns out he had a large mass in one of his kidneys.The vet was great, she was gentle and kind and did everything she could to help him. In a short 30 min. we went from planning surgery to remove the infected kidney to discovering that both kidneys were failing. Even though he was in a lot of pain, Rocky sat very still for X-Rays and blood work. Afterwards, he was visibly grumpy. He is typically a very sweet, mellow cat that lets our friends’ children pet and play with him. He was also a VERY good snuggler. This was a very sudden event but Jason and I are grateful that we got to say our goodbyes in person and that our vet is a warm, caring individual. Rocky did not have to suffer long and he was loved and appreciated by many. Even the dogs will miss him! Rocky came to Wyoming in the fall of 2004 and spent time with me at the Territorial Prison. While there the entire staff spoiled him with extra food and attention. Within a few months he was at his “fighting weight”! Rocky was rescued in the summer of 2004 by our dear friends Alana and Alex, who at the time, were living in New York City. They found him starving on a roof top in Rockefeller Plaza. Thus the name “Rocky”. Alana flew out with Rocky in October of 2004 and it was love at first sight. Rocky was “my first kitty” – the first cat that I was responsible for caring for and who I could call mine. He rode with me the 4.5 hour roundtrip every weekend to Casper when Jason and I were dating. He taunted Jason’s dog, Tillie until we moved into our house in Laramie where they called truce and have put up with each other ever since. He endured being licked and chased by Shelby and was never tempted to eat our fish. He enjoyed spending time with Jason’s parents in Elk Mountain and grandparents in Wheatland. Rocky was well traveled and well loved.

And yes, it is Friday the 13th, a sign that Rocky had a sense of humor. He will be missed.

Land Owner of the Year

Jason and I got up VERY early last Sat. morning to take picture for the Land Owner of the Year program for Wyoming Game and Fish.

We traveled the back roads of Albany County, about two hours from Laramie, looking for wildlife, scenic landscapes and examples of habitat improvement projects to document for the project.

I’m still going through all the photos but I will share with you some of my favorites. I’m working on sorting and editing now, the final shots are due by the end of the month.

Someday this white cow will be picked up by a UFO...And someday soon, this cow is going to catch a fish!

Historic Photo Exhibit Downtown

Fathers' Day at the Pig Farm

We spent Fathers’ Day in Wheatland with the Sherwood and Hoffman clan. It was Grandpa Sherwood’s birthday so there was a lot to celebrate. Uncle Don and Nancy Sherwood were in town visiting from Oregon so it was a mini-family reunion. Three generations: Corky Sherwood, brothers Bill and Don and grandson Jason Dee, the picture perfect, down-to-earth Wyoming gal! The Sherwoods live on the “pig farm” just outside of town. There are a lot of old barns, sheds, chicken coops, and manly storage areas to explore.

Laramie River Flood

Last week the Laramie River overran its banks and caused quiet a stir in West Laramie. There were flood warnings and volunteers sand bagging but in the end, no one was hurt.

You might be wondering if we are having some strange weather but historically, during years of high snow melt and “typical” spring storms, this would be normal.*

*The Laramie River use to meander through West Laramie but when Snowy Range Road was installed between the prison and West Laramie, the river was “straightened out”. So historically, the winding water would overflow at sharp corners but now there is no where for it to go but out. Thankfully, the Laramie Rivers Conservation District is working to fix that by restoring habitat and the natural flow.

Like most of the residents in town, Jason and I were curious to see just how much flooding we got so set out to take some photos.
Picnic area at Optimist Park
The "Big House" across the river, as the newspaper use to refer to the Wyoming State Prison