Carillon Page two

As I sit here in my little "office" (cabin), looking out at the west side of the Wind River Mountains from our home near Cora, Wyoming, I've been thinking about how my life's twists and turns have brought me right back to an earlier portion of my life's road! It feels right to return to Ring Lake after so many years, and take up new challenges. My road this fall and winter seemed more like an L.A. freeway, as I tried to balance my new position as Ring Lake manager with the continuing demands of the Forest Service. Thanks to all of you who waited patiently for me during my many peregrinations. Now I'm ready to take " . . . the one less traveled by."

This is shaping up to be a very busy summer as we're virtually filled to capacity from mid-July through the first week of September. We're pleased that Elder High School is once again joining us with two separate groups of teenage boys. Our friends in the Flyfishing and Theology group return after the regular season in September, followed by two weeks of Elderhostels. The first session is a repeat of last year's very popular Flyfishing and Folk Arts. The next will bring former Ring Lake session and Elderhostel leaders, Alan and Jeanie Mebane, together with board member Gary Keimig for a Natural History and Watercolor session.

We'll have a few returning staff from last year, and wish the best for those who've moved on to different challenges. In the corral and on the trails, we're delighted that Elly Stewart will be returning as Assistant Wrangler. John Townsend will lead the hiking program and help with maintenance. Many of you remember Darrel Glasgow from years' past (as in Darrel's Trail!). Darrel will be leading our maintenance program this summer. Nate Shafer, a guest last year, will be on junior staff, joined by newcomers Jill Bartels from eastern Nebraska and Trissy Glasgow of Dubois. Our head cook will be Janie Mickelson, who has years of experience cooking for pack trips and ranches. We're still working on several key positions--head wrangler, assistant cook, and housekeeper/expediter--and have some great applicants for those.

Our call for volunteers in the last Carillon proved quite successful! Former guest Carol Carpenter will join us as a volunteer in August, and we're still working out details with several other interested folks. The month of May will bring a steady stream of volunteers coming for a week or so to help with spring-cleaning and Ranch rejuvenation projects. We're very grateful to all of you who give to Ring Lake with your time and resources.

This is a landmark year for us, with major advancements in our facilities. A new cabin, bridge, upgraded road, corrals and tack shed are only part of the picture. The cabins will be spruced up with new bedding, curtains, and towels. I know my tired back will appreciate the new mattresses and pillows. In the corral, you'll see seven new furry faces, too, thanks to a very generous donor.

What a heartwarming welcome I've received from so many of you! Some are old friends, some new, and I look forward to seeing many of you this summer. Until May, when I go to the Ranch, you can reach me during the daytime at (307) 367-2059.

~ Ann Mebane

As I sit here in my little "office" (cabin), looking out at the west side of the Wind River Mountains from our home near Cora, Wyoming, I've been thinking about how my life's twists and turns have brought me right back to an earlier portion of my life's road! It feels right to return to Ring Lake after so many years, and take up new challenges. My road this fall and winter seemed more like an L.A. freeway, as I tried to balance my new position as Ring Lake manager with the continuing demands of the Forest Service. Thanks to all of you who waited patiently for me during my many peregrinations. Now I'm ready to take " . . . the one less traveled by." This is shaping up to be a very busy summer as we're virtually filled to capacity from mid-July through the first week of September. We're pleased that Elder High School is once again joining us with two separate groups of teenage boys. Our friends in the Flyfishing and Theology group return after the regular season in September, followed by two weeks of Elderhostels. The first session is a repeat of last year's very popular Flyfishing and Folk Arts. The next will bring former Ring Lake session and Elderhostel leaders, Alan and Jeanie Mebane, together with board member Gary Keimig for a Natural History and Watercolor session. We'll have a few returning staff from last year, and wish the best for those who've moved on to different challenges. In the corral and on the trails, we're delighted that Elly Stewart will be returning as Assistant Wrangler. John Townsend will lead the hiking program and help with maintenance. Many of you remember Darrel Glasgow from years' past (as in Darrel's Trail!). Darrel will be leading our maintenance program this summer. Nate Shafer, a guest last year, will be on junior staff, joined by newcomers Jill Bartels from eastern Nebraska and Trissy Glasgow of Dubois. Our head cook will be Janie Mickelson, who has years of experience cooking for pack trips and ranches. We're still working on several key positions--head wrangler, assistant cook, and housekeeper/expediter--and have some great applicants for those. Our call for volunteers in the last Carillon proved quite successful! Former guest Carol Carpenter will join us as a volunteer in August, and we're still working out details with several other interested folks. The month of May will bring a steady stream of volunteers coming for a week or so to help with spring-cleaning and Ranch rejuvenation projects. We're very grateful to all of you who give to Ring Lake with your time and resources. This is a landmark year for us, with major advancements in our facilities. A new cabin, bridge, upgraded road, corrals and tack shed are only part of the picture. The cabins will be spruced up with new bedding, curtains, and towels. I know my tired back will appreciate the new mattresses and pillows. In the corral, you'll see seven new furry faces, too, thanks to a very generous donor. What a heartwarming welcome I've received from so many of you! Some are old friends, some new, and I look forward to seeing many of you this summer. Until May, when I go to the Ranch, you can reach me during the daytime at (307) 367-2059. ~ Ann Mebane		NEW CABIN In the midst of all the other wonderful gifts to the Ranch this past year (new bridge, corrals, horses, mattresses, bed linens, curtains, copy machine, and others) some very special friends of Ring Lake Ranch are donating funds to build a new cabin. This cabin, if all goes as planned, could possibly be ready for occupancy for some part of this summer of 2000. We are extremely grateful for this and all the help and support our friends give us. BRIDGE OVER UNTROUBLED WATERS At the January meeting of the Ring Lake Ranch board, we signed a contract with Foster Construction Co. to build a new bridge across Torrey creek. The new bridge is a concrete and steel structure that is rated to handle any weight that can move down the highway. The new bridge is 96 feet long and 12 feet wide. It has observation decks, with benches on both sides. The total cost of the new bridge was $40,500.00. At the same time the construction company widened the curves on the road from the bridge to the hay shed. They then laid 6" of road base material from the Trail Lake road to the bridge, and from the bridge clear to the parking lot by the kitchen. So Ring Lake Ranch has a new bridge and road ready for our friends this summer. This project took 5 weeks from start to finish. Mike Donelson, Board Member Buildings & Grounds Committee New bridge close to completion
the Ring Lake Carillon published twice yearly by RING LAKE RANCH
RING LAKE RANCH P.O. Box 806 Dubois, WY 82513	(307)455-2663 email:ringlake@wyoming.com www.ringlake.org