Answering My First Caretaker Needed Ad
After spending roughly a year and a half dreaming and learning about living €off-grid€, and perusing the classified ads found in the wonderfully helpful online magazine, The Caretaker Gazette; I finally decided to take the plunge one day when I saw an ad posted for a caretaker requirement on a remote ranch in the middle of The Gros Ventre Wilderness Area (pronounced Grow Vaughnt) nestled in the Bridger-Teton National Forest of Wyoming U.S.A. According to Wikipedia Jackson Hole is the closest city to this protected wildlife area. A quick view of the Gros Ventre Range on Google Earth will rocket this pristine refuge to the top of your €places to see in America€ list real quick!
As I mentioned, the ad stated that someone was needed to caretake a privately owned, remote hunting/fishing lodge for the winter. With seasonal access to the property limited to June, July and August that makes for one loooong winter here at The Darwin Ranch. A brief look at the topography of this rustic homestead will give you an idea of its remoteness. It has been a few weeks since I read the ad, but I do believe it stated that once you are snowed in, it is roughly 22 miles to the closest maintained road. I think that definitely qualifies as remote when your only way out is walking once the snow begins to fall and the temperatures plummet to -60 below!
Since I was relatively close, and at 9,200 ft. up Mt. Evans in Evergreen, Co just days ago, I felt it was high time to stop day-dreaming and start getting the job done. I sent an e-mail expressing my interest and describing, briefly, my unique skill set to the contact address mostly expecting nothing to happen. Aside from living with my father as a caretakers' son in West Virginia for a spell, I had never been a caretaker before. I sent a copy of the e-mail to my wife, who I have somehow convinced to take this life changing journey in Caretaking as soon as we decide on a nice place requiring a couple. Within minutes I had a response. I was beside myself; was this really gonna happen?!?!?
As it turned out, Mr. Loring Woodman, owner of the Darwin Ranch, had unexpectedly received notice that an already selected Caretaker could not accept the position at the last minute. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he sounded desperate; but after owning the ranch for almost 50 years, he sounded like HE was not interested in being snowed in for the winter. After speaking to me on the phone, and checking a few references, Loring (who dispelled with the €sir€ stuff in short order) contacted me with an invitation to join him on the ranch for a €little€ training. The target date was January, 1st. I was finally on my way!!!
As I mentioned, the ad stated that someone was needed to caretake a privately owned, remote hunting/fishing lodge for the winter. With seasonal access to the property limited to June, July and August that makes for one loooong winter here at The Darwin Ranch. A brief look at the topography of this rustic homestead will give you an idea of its remoteness. It has been a few weeks since I read the ad, but I do believe it stated that once you are snowed in, it is roughly 22 miles to the closest maintained road. I think that definitely qualifies as remote when your only way out is walking once the snow begins to fall and the temperatures plummet to -60 below!
Since I was relatively close, and at 9,200 ft. up Mt. Evans in Evergreen, Co just days ago, I felt it was high time to stop day-dreaming and start getting the job done. I sent an e-mail expressing my interest and describing, briefly, my unique skill set to the contact address mostly expecting nothing to happen. Aside from living with my father as a caretakers' son in West Virginia for a spell, I had never been a caretaker before. I sent a copy of the e-mail to my wife, who I have somehow convinced to take this life changing journey in Caretaking as soon as we decide on a nice place requiring a couple. Within minutes I had a response. I was beside myself; was this really gonna happen?!?!?
As it turned out, Mr. Loring Woodman, owner of the Darwin Ranch, had unexpectedly received notice that an already selected Caretaker could not accept the position at the last minute. I wouldn't go so far as to say that he sounded desperate; but after owning the ranch for almost 50 years, he sounded like HE was not interested in being snowed in for the winter. After speaking to me on the phone, and checking a few references, Loring (who dispelled with the €sir€ stuff in short order) contacted me with an invitation to join him on the ranch for a €little€ training. The target date was January, 1st. I was finally on my way!!!
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