OCR Text |
Show Community Comments I don't intend any slur on the services and conveniences available in a big city, but I prefer rural services any time because of the human, caring element that you find in "super boonie" people. Case in point. We took off in our trusty Wagoneer 1 last Saturday, to haul a carload of 16-year olds to Boys ' State in Logan. Near the top of Price Canyon, our trusty old started missing, backfired a couple of times, and flat quit. We tinkered under the hood, to no avail, and finally sent Jim Nelson, who was traveling along behind us, on to Soldier Summit for the wrecker. Along came Larry (didn't ask his last name), and instead of hooking on forthwith and dragging us into the station, he explored and experimented until, nearly 2 hours later, the source of the problem was found to be loose wires. Then he agonized over what to charge us, stating, "I didn't really do anything for you." I had a similar experience one year taking the kids to Arizona for a visit with the grandparents. My brand new car pooped out at a roadside rest stop clear out in the middle of nowhere. A kindly employee of the department of highways hauled me several miles to the nearest gas station, commenting, "You're sure lucky this happened here and not in Phoenix." An extremely odd comment, I thought, looking around at the expanse of the desert. That time the problem turned out to be loose nuts and bolts on the starter. It was quickly put right and we were soon on our way again, again at a very nominal charge. When we got to Phoenix I understood what the kind gentleman meant. It was Sunday, and I could see very little open to help a wayfaring stranger. Worse, I felt the attitude of indifference, that is so much a part of a I big city, all around me. Then there was the time when a gallon of white latex exterior paint was accidentally spilled on the living room carpet. That was also a Sunday... but that's a long story. Suffice to say that Jim Wanielista hustled on down and got it all up. Where but in a small community will you find such service? I believe maybe what it comes to is that people in isolated communities just naturally help each other. It's a way of life. At any rate, Larry's Amoco on Soldier Summit has 1 gained a couple of loyal customers. ; aft-After aft-After gassing up (on Soldier Summit), I came on : across that gorgeous carpet of flower on the Green River Desert, and shot a roll of film, the results of which really didn't do justice to the subject matter. Since Kay Hancock, from SUCCE next door, had dropped a clip of Sam's comment last week on yellow Sego Lilies, along with a copy from a botany book describing the yellow aureus Wats. Ownbey, they are named, I decided to consult him about the names of species I had snapped. Being something of a bontanist himself, he told me immediately, but referred me to Dave May for correct spelling. Dave, Chief Naturalist for Canyonlands, whipped out some books and came up with far more information ; than I required, but took exception to me referring to one as Bee Weed. "Yellow Bee Plant, you mean," he i said. That's a botanist type for you. Can't call a weed a weed, even if it is one. |