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Show iliiiiilil VAW.w.v.sv.w.v.v.x-X-r-- - 'j mnwmwuw V.V iKjV SS2I58' favorite piece of property would remain a working ranch, they closed the deal with a handshake. Bates and Robin lived and loved at Professor Valley Ranch. As dedicated stewards, they worked the ground together... with somewhat knowledgeable hands. They certainly learned from it each season as they scratched a living from the arid land. They continued to journey into Canyonlands whenever possible; camping trips that introduced "famous" spots such as Chester Park, Druid Arch, Paul Bunyan's potty and Elephant Hill to Lynn and me. And then, of course, there were the people., .one of the predominant images of my childhood is a house full of people. There was a near constant stream of folk to and from Professor Valley. They dropped in from various comers of the globe to enjoy a "mutey twist" (bacardi, dub soda, ice and a twist of lime), Robin's cooking and good company. There were meals in the house, cookouts in the yard, journeys up Mary Jane Canyon for dutch-ove- n dinners, always accompanied by plenty of laughter and the of favorite stories. Anyone and everyone was welcome: complete strangers would arrive on the front to be welcomed with porch, sent by for few a and be to added the arms, list of friends. These stay days open visitors were often happily coerced into helping out with whatever the current farm project might be.. .from bucking bates to cleaning ditches. At the time of their departure they were bid adieu with, "Thank you so much for my kindness.. J'm so glad you met me". Bates' and Robin's days were occupied with the routine work of ranch life...getting water from here to there, cutting, baling and stacking hay, planting, tending and harvesting a massive vegetable garden, etc...but they always retained enthusiasm for additional projects. There was never any dearth of things to do or items of interest They explored the possibilities of cultivating native grasses hardy enough to strip mines, producing adobe block, and establishing an educational retreat or agricultural research center, to name a few. There was no time to realize any of these dreams before Bates' death in the early spring of 1983. ever-lengtheni- ng ate During that year, Robin began to spend more time thinking about the possibility of creating an organizationfadlity that would educate and provide skills to those who might journey to the delicate desert lacking knowledge of its natural and physical history, its geography and ecology. It wai the beginning of the time period in which came the realization that the land was being "loved to death", as more and more tourists began to flock to the area. She became determined to establish such an organization and began to pursue ideas and ways to fulfill this dream. She and Karla VanderZanden, then a BLM Westwater river ranger, were introduced by a mutual friend. At sunrise on a fine spring morning, they met on the front porch of the ranch house in Professor Valley and realized that they shared a common vision. This realization ted to friendship and the two began to it educational organization. Within the year they had founded brainstorm about a Canyonlands Held Institute (CFI), and Robin became the first executive director upon its incorporation in 1984. As a outdoor educational organization, CFI sought to increase awareness courses in of the natural and cultural heritage of the Colorado Plateau through hands-oand desert ecology, geography, biology photography, writing, archaeology, anthropology, and others. A strong believer in letting the land Bpeak for itself, Robin, through CFI, endeavored to strengthen and enhance its lessons by involving those with an intimate connection to the land. Also believing that education promoted informed decision-makinRobin remarked, in an interview with the Grand Junction Daily Sentinel in 1988, "The Colorado Plateau is just now really being discovered. It's perceived in many different ways by developers, energy companies and environmentalists. CFI would like to be playing a rote in the education process". Robin saw CFI through its infancy and can be considered greatly responsible for its success. During her tenure at the helm, she used her empathy, grace, and warmth to interest people in its cause and to bring them together in support of its mission. As Terry Tempest Williams wrote, "Through her magnetism and integrity, she has galvanized an extraordinary community of individuals which makes up the Canyonlands Field Institute". In honor of Robin's "pioneering efforts in environmental awareness and education" she was named Moab Chamber of Commerce Citizen of the Year in 1989. Robin served as executive director of CFI until just prior to her death in the spring of 1991. She continued to operate Professor Valley Ranch during that time. It is difficult to convey a true understanding of Robin and Bates' sincere and unaffected character, enjoyment of life, and embrace of others to those who did not know them. These qualities, combined with their introduction to a region they called home directed the course of their lives extensively. Without aspiring to greatness, they succeeded in making a lasting impact to the land they were devoted to, and on all those they touched during their non-prof- not-for-pro- fit n g, v AWAW.VWA'AW.SpfcM A Couple of Bates Anecdotes Jim Stiles I came to Moab and became a seasonal ranger at Arches just a couple of years after Bates retired, so I never had the dunce to work for him. But stories about Bates lingered for years after he hung took his and in uniform Professor Valley. up up ranching As a rookie ranger who had no idea what he was doing, the idea of the superintendent caning to pay me a personal visit would have struck terror in my soul. But that is exactly what happened more then once to young seasonals who came to work fa Bides. Typically, one morning at the Needles section of Canyonlands, the district ranger stopped by the quarters of two recently-hiretrail maintenance workers to inform them that Superintendent Wilson was on his way dawn from Moab to see them. "What did we do wrong? " one of them asked feebly. The district ranger just shrugged and said, "I guess you'll find out when he gets here." The two underlings searched vainly for dean uniforms and were determined to convince the superintendent they were good employees, no matter what else he might have hard. They were busy working up a sweat when they saw the pickup truck pull up at the trail head. It was Bates. " What are " you feUas all dressed up for," he chuckled. "You're just gonna get dirty again. Bates pulled a shovel out of the bed of the truck, pulled his dirty straw Stetson over his eyes, and went to work on the trad, shoulder to shoulder with his two young seasonals. He stayed all day on that trail project, and went quitting time came, Bates put away the shovel and pulled out his Dutch ovens. The boys never ate better. He camped the night with them under the stars and went bade to Moab the next morning. "I just like to know the people I'm working with," he explained to these new Friends of Bates. d You had to look real hard to find the hierarchy of the Bates Wilson administration at Canyonlands. One of Bates' dearest friends was Dutch Cerhardt, an NPS heavy equipment operator and a man who said what was on his mind. It was a quality Bates admired and respected; it's why they were such good friends. Not all Park Service managers appreciate candor end an NPS administrator named Bill Briggle was just that type of a guy. But Bates could get along with just about anybody., jot at least tolerate them.. and so, on ok of his famous pack trips into the Great Red Unknown, he invited Briggle to excursion. Riding with them, join Secretary of the Interior Stuart Udall and himself on a multi-da- y as he often did, was Dutch. They had been riding all day, and as the sun dropped below the canyon rim, they decided to make camp. As Bates unsaddled his horse, he turned to his old friend and said, "Gather up some firewood, Dutch. I'm going to be needing it pretty soon." Dutch squinted at Bates oddly and said, "Go to hell. I'm off the dock now. You an get the damned wood yourself." Briggle sprang to his feet, bristling with officious indignation, stepped between the horses and came right at Dutch. Dutch didn't move. It was almost hard to tdl that he noticed this sudden intrusion into his personal spaa. The truth is, Dutch looked bored. "Mr. Gerhardtl" Briggle sputtered, "Mr. Wilson fa the superintendent of this park and he is your supervisor I When Mr. Wilson tells you to do something, you do it! You don't question his instructions, you don't ignore them, end you certainly don't behave like this! YOU JUST DO IT! Do I make myself dear? " Briggles face was the color of the rock. The veins bulged and throbbed at his temple and alongside his neck. Dutch looked into his eyes. Deeply. "Screw you Briggle," said Dutch. He tuned to his supervisor. "Screw you Bates." And then he tuned to the Secretary of the Interior of the United Stales of America. "And screw you UddLand the mules you rode in on." Dutch spit softly on the ground, gave Bates a wink and lumbered off to take a nap. Briggle stood there in the sand, shaking violently in the late afternoon light. So were Bates end Udall they were laughing so hard they were gasping for breath. Bates didn't think much of hierarchy. ANNETTE KEARL, Therapist. Certified Instructor in MindBody Medicine & Primordial Sound Meditation. Deepak Chopra, lifetimes. M.D. Infinite Those of us who have been personally and profoundly touched by canyon country, and have found a sense of place within it, owe thanks to the many people who have quietly, and not so quietly, worked in various ways to ensure its lasting preservation. Raised all her remembering life in Moab. Anne Wilson received a B.A. from Smith College in AnthropologySociology. She eventually returned to the red rocks and works as Community Outreach Coordinator for the Moab Project Office of the Nature Conservancy. She and her husband live at Professor Valley Ranch. 601-259-33- Health. aiWy.- - TWLNTY-SEVEN-' BRIDGE. AYURVEDIC THERAPIES Abhyanga is a herbal oi massage that deeply penetrates the dissolves impurities and stimulates skin, relaxes the mind-bodarterial and lymphatic circulation. It enhances the ability of the body to absoib nutrients and release toxins. 1 12 hr. $50 y, Manna Chlkltsa ft Chakra Therapy, a gentle, yet profound Ayurveda cranial and acupressure therapy, releasing deeply held patterns as it opens chakras, stimulates vital energy centers and restores optimal harmony and balance to the body, mind. and spirit. Shlrodhara is 1 hr. $40 a gentle and continuous pouring of warm herbalized oil over the forehead calming the mind, synchronizing the brainwaves and balancing the nervous system. Recommended for migraine headache, allergies, hyperactive mind and Insomnia. ALSO: . THE 45 1 rsKF' Biofeedback & Music hr. $40 MalabarmaUsh Massage ft massage for athletes Suite ism rite |
