PUBLISHER'S NOTE
Fall usually brings peace of mind with its warm days, chilly nights, garden harvests, and vivacious colors. It’s a nostalgic feeling for most – a time to reflect on the busy summer days that flew by and the process of settling in for the cold months to come.
This fall does not feel like that. Our state is hurting. Our country is hurting.
While hurricanes are sweeping through the southeastern part of our country, Wyoming is in flames. Now over 75,000 acres, the Elk Fire is ripping through the northern region of the state and is still growing at this time.
Recent high winds have caused the Pack Trail Fire to merge with the older Fish Creek Fire west of Dubois. Collectively, the two fires have burned over 60,000 acres and added to the 700,000 that Wyoming has lost to infernos this year alone.
It’s raining ash here in Lander which is something that I’ve never experienced in my life. The way the sky matches the trees these days is an apocalyptic feeling.
There’s an Irish saying that “thin places” are where the veil between heaven and earth are especially small, or even nonexistent. To me, Wyoming is one of those thin places, with its ethereal natural beauty. It pains me to see it burn.
My heart goes out to the firefighters and emergency responders who are actively trying to protect this state, and I pray for their safety as they fight for the communities threatened by these blazing flames. We’ve already lost so much.
This is the fourth issue of Adventures in the West and the last one for 2024. Featuring a tenacious hunter, a storyteller of mystery and history, and a local off-road park, my goal is to offer stories that both inspire and provide a sense of hope and perseverance. It also includes tips for emergency food storage planning and a family-oriented pumpkin recipe – a little comfort and a little safety.
Blaine and I celebrated our second wedding anniversary in September, in addition to breaking ground to build our little homestead. As we navigate these trying times, we aim not to be overwhelmed by all that is going wrong but instead concentrate on the simple things that make life worth living. Embrace your loved ones. Be there for your neighbor. Try to find your “thin place.”
The fires may burn, and the cold may come, but seek out the good among the bad. Tough times never last, but tough people do.
Press on.
OUT & ABOUT
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.
1. We recreated the American Gothic photo in celebration of breaking ground for our home build!
2. Poots enjoying the lush greenery of Indiana.
3. A fun reunion in Tensleep with Blaine's climbing mentor and some great buddies.
4. Carston and Blaine posing with Carston's antelope.
5. Our friends Malcolm and Gretchen came to visit from Washington!
6. We went to visit Blaine's folks in Indiana and had a blast seeing the Indians game, Dave Matthews Band, and more!
Alma Law is famously known around Fremont County, Wyoming as “The Ghost Story Guy.”
“I’m not a discerner,” he said. “However, my mom was, and she had several encounters–from nightly creaking steps to glowing figures sitting in a cemetery.”
Alma grew up around ghost stories. His entire family would share stories or “feelings” of relatives that had passed and could feel their presence.
“It’s always kind of been accepted as a reality in my family,” he said, “that there are remains of personalities and energies that stay behind.”
My stories aren’t all scary. They are about half historical facts and half spooky tales. There’s a lot of research that goes into what I do.
— ALMA LAW
Originally from Georgia, Alma has a deep love for both the mountains and communities of Wyoming. With two kids in school, he has established roots in Riverton with no plans of leaving anytime soon.
A passion for storytelling, history, and ghosts, Alma has found a way to incorporate all three into a way of engaging with people and sharing a sense of community.
In 2014, while a teacher at Riverton High School, Alma came up with a unique way to increase student participation when he decided to write an online guided walking tour of ghost stories with his English students.
“I asked my students what they thought about a walking tour of Riverton, and they said it was stupid,” he laughed. “So then
I asked them, ‘What if we collected local ghost stories around all of our historical research?’ and they absolutely loved that idea.”
As they dug in and went to work, they found locals that were willing to tell their ghost experiences and archived newspaper articles offered an old-fashioned perspective for the older tales.
“From that point on, my students showed up, attended the entire semester, turned in every written assignment, and we completed the online walking tour,” he beamed.
Then in 2017, Alma’s Sophomore honors students talked him into helping them write a book of the tales, and Fremont Haunts was published that very year.
That fall, by request of the Riverton Museum, he started guiding Haunted History Tours featuring ghost stories, urban myths, and legends of the Riverton and Fremont County area. The tour is a 1.5 hour trek around downtown Riverton where the stories occurred.
Alma continually researches and adds stories for his haunted tours. His favorites include the story of the midnight jogger near the old police department, the midnight shift at the Post Office, the children of the Riverton Masonic Temple, and the many cinephiles of the Acme Theatre.
“My stories aren’t all scary,” he said. “They are about half historical facts and half spooky tales. There’s a lot of research that goes into what I do.”
Alma and his two kids are avid rockhounders and like to take advantage of exploring the surrounding area of Riverton. One of their favorite spots, the 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous Grounds, is steeped in both history and mystery.
The 1838 Mountain Man Rendezvous was established nearly 70 years prior to the city of Riverton. Fur companies used to caravan around the Rocky Mountain region to trade with trappers. In the summer, trappers that had worked all season traveled to the confluence of the Big and Little Wind rivers, an easy to find landmark from any direction. These men negotiated with the fur companies, reunited with other trappers, restocked their supplies, and celebrated.
“Locals have seen floating orbs or lights in these woods surrounding the rendezvous site,” Alma said. “It leads you to conjecture what those lights could be remnants of.”
He speculated that they could be lanterns from the trappers who walked down to the river to get water late at night. They also could be fairy lights enticing wanderers to come and dance with them.
“Those same glowing balls of light are often seen in the gaslands of Wyoming,” he continued. “It could be a miner’s headlamp, or luminescence from natural gasses, or a bouncing lantern on a horse taking his passed out owner home from a drunken late night at the saloon.”
Another deeply rooted area just outside of Riverton is the historical Black Bridge. Alma explained that as the Chicago and Northwestern railroad moved westward, an early challenge was crossing the Missouri River. In 1881, a suitable crossing site was located in Nebraska. By 1883, the bridge, consisting of three Whipple (flat topped) trusses, was finally complete. Within a few decades, as rail traffic increased and locomotives became heavier and faster, the bridge was eventually deemed inadequate.
Replaced by an entirely new structure, the three old bridge trusses remained in good condition and were carefully moved out to Fremont County. Two of these bridge sections crossed the Wind River at the south end of Riverton. The other section, known as the Black Bridge, still stands on the Heritage Trail bearing its original 1883 plaque.
With its historical setting in place, Alma’s story takes a spooky twist. He stated that back in the late 90s, a group of high school students used to love ghost hunting around the area. They’d bring
recording equipment and try to capture paranormal noises by the bridge.
“On one account, these students were playing back the tape when all of a sudden their voices were pulled to the background and right by the microphone was a terrible bloody scream,” he said.
After further investigation, Alma continued, these students returned to the bridge and saw a lady in a flowing white dress behind a tree. As they approached her, she would get further away, and when they stopped, she’d stop and wait. When she finally disappeared, she had led them to a clearing next to the river, and they eventually followed it back to their car.
“That’s the cool part, though,” Alma said, smiling. “Stories like this are entirely open to interpretation. Maybe she was trying to lead them to her body. American ghost stories involve figuring out why someone is troubled and helping them move on. Other cultures don’t do that.”
Alma also participated in Sinks Canyon State Park’s Friday Night Fireside Series for a few years. Folks were encouraged to come to the Sawmill Campground with blankets and chairs to gather around a campfire for s'mores and stories.
He shared the tale of “Candy Mountain” outside of Fremont County Youth Camp. The nickname for the mountain came from an old tale which involved two campers, romance, jolly ranchers, and a fatal accident.
Alma spends countless hours in the basement archives of the Riverton Ranger, the Riverton Museum, and in the online Wyoming Newspaper database. Besides the annual Riverton Museum tour, his goal is to schedule one haunted tour per month and to try to accommodate any group with a request for when they can meet him. He has even been approached about doing a haunted walking tour in downtown Lander.
Alma’s tactful storytelling captivates his audiences with historical figures and locations then leads into local spooky lore. He aims not to scare, but to promote curiosity for all ages.
Hip, knee or shoulder pain?
That’s why we’re here. Our orthopedic specialists offer a
and
We’ll
SMOKE + SALTwith Blaine
Say goodbye to summer dresses and BBQ messes. It’s the season of pumpkin spice lattes (yuck), turtlenecks (if those are still a thing), and warm-spiced comfort dishes!
Fall in the mountains is pure glory. The early morning air is sharp. It's the first time in months that you inhale deeply and actually taste the cold bite. The bugle of an elk cuts that crisp mountain air. Like a 2002 high school photo album, the wheatgrass wakes up with frosted tips from the night before. And my Lord… the smell! Fall in the mountains has the incredible aroma of pungently decaying leaves, wood burners lighting up, and all things good. Fall just feels like nostalgia. There is a sense of simpler times lingering; it’s begging us to slow down and enjoy ourselves.
Some days I forget how truly blessed I am. Sitting on my back porch looking out over a valley of yellow leaves where mountains, rising from the deepest depths, just loom above with promises of better times and adventure. Wyoming is pretty damn magical.
Since this is a food article, I suppose I should actually talk about food and not just weep about how incredible this state is. So let’s dive in.
I wanted to make a dish that felt like fall without being completely cliche. I thought, what can we do with a pumpkin? When fall
comes, every coffee shop figures out how to shove a pumpkin in just about every single item on the menu, so why can’t I come up with something that soccer moms will love more than their double shot vanilla pumpkin frappuccino?
This dish is, as always, best served with all your loved ones. Not only because what's the point of cooking if not for those we love, but because it makes a massive amount. While the children begin to plan their ghoulish costumes and frat boys everywhere are carving a pumpkin to imitate their own night of praying to the porcelain gods, we will be filling a pumpkin with rice, dried fruits, and the greatest gift to humanity: butter! (And please buy nice butter. “I can’t believe it's not butter?” Trust me, I have no issues believing that's not butter!) All jokes aside, cook with what you enjoy. I know I make snarky comments, but honestly, I just love seeing people get in the kitchen and be creative. This is a very simple dish, so quality, in my own eyes, is important. It will allow the dish to shine because the ingredients will do all the work for you - if they are of higher quality. But if Uncle Ben’s is your jam and Country Crock is your go-to, then what the hell, send it! I do love some boil-in-a-bag after a long gym session at Elemental. However, for a dish like this, I pull out the “top shelf” rice. The French butter. The imported cinnamon. Be a food nerd, not a food snob.
The outdoor cooking experience makes this meal an event. If you don’t have the time or inclination to roast your pumpkin in an earth pit, pop it in the oven at 350 degrees for 90 minutes or until you can easily pierce it with a knife.
WRITTEN BY BLAINE LIMPUS // PHOTOGRAPHY BY MELANIE LIMPUS
RICE-STUFFED Autumnal PUMPKIN
3.
With the pumpkin prepped and set aside, it's time to cook the rice. Bring 6 cups of water and a tablespoon of salt to a boil. Once boiling, add in the rice, stir once, and let simmer uncovered until there is no hard starch in the center. Strain the rice in a mesh sieve while running under cold water. Since we are going to be adding it into a pumpkin and continuing to cook it, we don’t want a big pile of mush. Therefore, you’ll want to stop the initial cooking. Transfer the rice to a mixing bowl.
4.
Start adding the dried fruit and almonds to the rice. Give a good stir to get everyone evenly distributed. Once mixed, stir in the allspice, cinnamon, and salt. (I prefer to combine my spices in a bowl beforehand.) Stir the rice mixture so everybody at the party is evenly coated with the spices.
5.
Now it’s time to fill that pumpkin. I like to layer mine like movie theatre popcorn. (For those of you who have never taken a straw, shoved it in the bag of popcorn, and then used that as a funnel under the butter machine, you can thank me later). Instead of dumping it all in, I prefer to get a layer on the bottom of the rice followed by honey and melted butter. Keep repeating until you get all the rice in your pumpkin.
6. Once the pumpkin is stuffed, place its top back on and wrap it entirely with tin foil. This helps the exterior from getting charred and maintains the beauty of its presentation.
7. When the coals are white-hot, shovel some into your pit and place the pumpkin on top. Continue shoveling coals into
the pit until the pumpkin is surrounded by embers, then cover with dirt and pat firmly to keep the heat in.
8. Cook for about an hour and a half or two hours. (Remember, being a veggie dish you don’t really have to worry about overcooking it, so if your coals were questionable then I’d have a longer cook time.) Trust your gut on this!
9. Set the pumpkin on a big surface area because here comes the fun part. I would either set the pumpkin on a large tray, or if you're a backwoods goof like me just set newspaper down across the table for the pumpkin to fall on. Make vertical slices from top to bottom all the way around the pumpkin. When it begins to fall apart, it will fall down in a blossom-looking manner. Your friends and family will think you belong among the culinary greats.
10.Garnish with parsley and pomegranate seeds.
outdoor brands in Wyoming, having moved to Riverton in 1972.
“We are excited to bring the company back to its roots, both in terms of Wyoming headquarters, Wyoming ownership, and a renewed focus on making the world’s best compasses,” Lauren said.
Brunton is globally recognized in the geology industry as the main field compass brand and starting in 2025, 100% of Brunton compasses will be made in Riverton, Wyoming.
Lauren and David pride themselves on authenticity and spend a lot of time outside with their products in the landscapes and settings that inspired much of the brand in the first place. They also prioritize giving back to their communities through generous donations to geology, outdoor education programs such as scouts, and, beginning next year, to Disabled Veterans of America.
“One of our most important resources are all the people who have worked for Brunton for decades and are still with us,” said Lauren. “We strongly believe there will always be a need for analog maps and compasses as well as the knowledge of how to use them in all of our user group categories – it’s part of our mission to help keep that alive in the world.”
1894 ..................
D.W. Brunton patents original pocket transit
1898 .................. Ainsworth Company est. in Denver, CO
1905 ..................
1912 ...................
D.W. Brunton licenses patents to Ainsworth
D.W. Brunton patent adds peep sight, tripod mount, and T-bubble level
1914 ...................
D.W. Brunton patent reverts to one long level and double peep sight
1920 .................. Military transit developed and illuminated with radium
1927...................
D.W. Brunton passes
1929 .................. First military contract for M2 tactical transit
1930 .................. Over 30,000 Brunton transits sold worldwide
1930-1972 .... Brunton pocket transit becomes the global gold standard
1972 ................... Brunton assets purchased by Wyoming partners; all operations move to Riverton, WY
1976...................
Liquid-filled recreational compasses developed: Sportsman’s Compass
1981 ................... Binocular line begins
1986 .................. Lightweight ComPro transit and disc magnet developed
1990 .................. U.S. military purchases 8010 “Smoke Chaser” compass
1996 .................. Brunton purchased by Silva Sweden; product line is broadened
2000 ................. Geo transit developed with geologists in mind
2006 ................. 2255 Brunton Court building
2007 ................. Fiskars of Finland purchases Brunton; moves some manufacturing overseas
2010 .................. Fenix Sweden purchases Brunton; moves manufacturing back to WY
2014 .................. Product line expanded then contracted again
2016 .................. Heerschaps patent the revolutionary Axis transit
2019 .................. Heerschaps purchase Brunton, bringing back to U.S. ownership
Our ribbon cutting ceremony in Nov. 2022 that celebrated 1 year of our new entity and 50 years of Brunton in Riverton, WY.
Lauren mapping out the day's route in Titcomb Basin, summer 2024.
Elk Yeah!
a bull moose when he drew a tag. After 55 days spent in the mountains both scouting and hunting, and passing up 30 bulls, he was able to shoot his dream bull.
Carston’s moose hunt story is a gripping thirty-minute tale of pure determination, relentless perseverance, and a lot of grunting (moose calling). To top it off, he even showed a short video that he had made from all the moose hunt footage.
“I could watch this forever!” Barrett exclaimed as he climbed onto the table to get a better look at his dad’s phone.
We had a good laugh at that one, too. Like parenting, hunting has incredible rewards, but requires patience. Scouting, tracking down the ideal animal, finding a good shot–it all takes time.
Being able to hunt an animal in a desired area can also be a long wait. Carston’s dream hunt is an ibex,
which can be found in the mountains of northern Pakistan. However, in the states, his dream hunt is a bighorn sheep. Having applied for a sheep tag for 19 years, he has yet to draw one.
“What I learned from that moose is not to sacrifice the timing of a hunt,” Carston explained. “I had an area that I wanted to hunt, but I was short a few preference points. I had the chance to draw in a different, more challenging area, though, and luckily ended up getting the tag.”
There was a time when a person could purchase a hunting license for just about any area that they wanted to hunt. Today, with the increase in demand for hunting, the number of applicants has skyrocketed, making it much more difficult to draw a license for big game.
Applicants now have the option to put in and apply, and if they don’t draw, they receive a preference point. Preference points are a way to improve the odds of eventually drawing a license in a hard-to-draw hunt area. The more preference points one has the more likely one is to draw a tag. For
Carston, these points are crucial for his dream bighorn sheep hunt.
“I’m just going to hold out, wait, and draw the area that I want. I’m hoping by that time, my oldest can go with me,” he said.
Just as it is with most outdoor lifestyles, there are challenges that come with hunting. Like all small towns, Dubois has seen a lot of change over the past few years. The most significant change, according to Carston, is actually the wildlife.
I feel very fortunate. Hunting gives me something to look forward to and gives me that drive to be good at something.
— CARSTON AKINS
He explained that the increase of predators around the area is something that many of the locals have noticed. Starting with the introduction of the wolves back in 1995, the entire ecosystem
has since changed dramatically.
“The rut season for elk is way different than it used to be,” Carston said. “They used to bugle all morning. Now, a pack of wolves come through the area, and those elk won’t make a peep.”
Carston also recently filled a wolf tag. He pointed out his front window to the mountain bordering town to where he shot it.
“It was so close to town that my wife could’ve seen me from our house. There were even locals texting me asking if I needed help hauling it down the mountain,” he said.
It’s true, though. Every time Blaine and I visit the Atkinses, they send us home with some sort of wild game. Whether it’s moose steaks, elk burger, or antelope jerky, it’s always delicious.
Carston, Autumn, and their soon-to-be family of five have big plans for the future. They’re currently trying to sell their house and Noon Rock Pizza so they can move closer to family in Michigan, where Autumn is originally from.
Though their departure will leave a giant Akins-sized hole in Fremont County, we wish them the best of luck with their transition to Michigan. And, we have an itching suspicion that Carston will be back every fall. After all, is there really any better hunting than right here in Wyoming?
“I really want to focus on taking my kids hunting when they’re older,” Carston said. “You never realize how much of a role hunting can play in your life. The things I’ve learned and the amount of friends I’ve gained through the hunting world is amazing. I want that for my boys.”
Build a longer trailBuild a longer trail
Trails of the Wagonhound Offroad Park
The Central Wyoming 4x4 Club was created by a couple of guys who had a love of recreating in off-road vehicles such as jeeps, rock crawlers, and side-by-sides. They rode all the trails they could find on public land and championed a message of riding responsibly.
In 2015, they got a wild hair to ask a landowner if he would allow public access to off-road vehicles on the part of his ranch not being used for cattle grazing. At first this landowner did say no. A bit of time passed and the landowner decided to join the guys for a day of riding. He got a feel for the kind of terrain they wanted–steep ruts and rock features that require very slow and very technical driving.
He told them, “If this is what you’re looking for, my cows have no use for this type of terrain.”
Wagonhound Offroad Park was established.
Today the club manages 2,200 acres of private ranchlands that are entirely open to the public from April 1 through September 1. There is land designated for free dryland camping and all of the trails can be found on Onyx Offroad. The entire place is maintained by volunteers and run on donations.
When you have more than you need, build a longer table, not a higher fence.
–ANONYMOUS trail
Together they set boundaries and the Central Wyoming 4x4 Club went to work mapping out trails that incorporated the rock features. These trails are nothing like building a road or a single track trail. The whole point of off-road trails is to leave natural obstacles in place and direct drivers on an intuitive route that will have them driving up and over anything in their way.
Finally, in 2021, after the logistics and trails were in place,
Travis Winger is the President of the Central Wyoming 4x4 Club and he shared, “The amount of pride our local club and visitors have for this place is pretty impressive. We’ve had hundreds to thousands of people out there. You could drive all day and you wouldn’t find a piece of trash. People are so grateful for the opportunity and recognize how special it is; they enjoy it responsibly.”
Winger talked about how perceptions are being changed on all sides, “We get people from all over the country who come out and are amazed at what middle-of-nowhere Wyoming has to offer.”
Wagonhound’s trails are known for their variety of rock type and varying levels of technical difficulty. From the casual Jeep owner to professional rock crawlers with machines, there is something for everyone.
More Than Just Maps
CWC’s GIST Program is Designed to be a Game-Changer for Students
Just outside of Sinks Canyon State Park in the foothills of the Wind River Mountains is Central Wyoming College’s Alpine Science Institute (ASI). This Institute is a one-of-a-kind, educational and recreational center that also serves as a model for environmental stewardship featuring solar-paneled buildings, a recycling program, and a composting facility.
Located five miles south of Lander, the campus is nestled along the Middle Fork of the Popo Agie River. The grounds are open to the community and feature hiking and mountain biking trails in addition to classroom facilities and student housing. Students who choose to live at the Alpine Science Institute have the option of living in rustic style cabins or in the 24-bed bunkhouse–not your typical student housing experience!
The Alpine Science Institute is a living, learning field school for Outdoor Education, Outdoor Recreation, Expedition Science, Regenerative Small Scale Farming, and Geospatial Information Science and Technology (GIST).
The GIST program is a rapidly growing field that involves the use of computer software to collect, analyze, and interpret spatial data. But it’s more than just maps—it’s about solving complex, real-world problems using satellite imagery, 3D mapping, and data analysis.
From tracking wildlife populations and developing natural disaster response strategies to managing urban growth and tech development, Geospatial Science equips students with the tools and knowledge needed to thrive in some of today’s most exciting fields.
“Whether it’s mapping wildlife corridors, mountain bike trails, or local restaurants, our graduates are ready to hit the ground running,” said Mara Gans, Instructor of GIS and Expedition Science at Central Wyoming College.
Mara grew up in Lander, Wyoming and loves finding ways to connect students to their local environments and communities. In addition to teaching GIS, environmental science, and geography, Mara also helps facilitate and teach summer backcountry research expeditions.
This summer, Mara and co-instructor Darran Wells, Professor of Outdoor Education and Leadership, spent 20 days with 13 students in the Shoshone National Forest. During this time students learned how to build and design GIS applications to collect data on compliance with Wilderness Regulations. They then spent 11 days in the Wind River Mountains completing internships for the U.S. Forest Service and two courses (OEAC2030 and GEOG 2000).
“Our students don’t just learn from textbooks—they go out into the field and apply their knowledge,” said Mara.
One of the most exciting aspects of the GIST program at Central Wyoming College is its collaboration with local, state, and federal organizations. The program’s partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, among others, enables students to apply classroom skills in real-world settings.
Students in the GIST program gain hands-on experience in cartography, fieldwork, and Uncrewed Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
or drones. They also participate in projects like mapping public lands or water quality monitoring, giving them a competitive edge in the job market.
Geospatial mapping is one of the fastest-growing fields in today’s job market. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, professionals in this field, such as cartographers and GIS technicians, are in high demand. GIST skills are also in high demand for environmental and recreation field work.
With an Associate of Applied Science degree or a GIS certificate from CWC, graduates are prepared to enter the workforce immediately or transfer to a four-year university.
The National Science Foundation’s (NSF) Wyoming EPSCOR Wy-ACT Program, the NSF Advanced Technological Education Program, the NSF Rocky Mountain Alliance for Minority Participation, and the NASA Space Grant Consortium make the spectacular opportunities provided at CWC affordable and accessible.
“Our GIST program offers a great opportunity for people to learn new skills and move into something that’s not only well-paying but also has a solid future,” said Mara. “Employers are looking for people with these skills, and this program can open doors to those new opportunities.”
•••••• Learn more at•••••• www.cwc.edu/programs/outdoorandenvironment/gist/
Some of the key courses offered include:
Cartography
GPS for GIS
Remote Sensing
Intro to GIS
Through these programs, graduates of CWC’s GIST programs will be prepared for in-demand careers across a variety of industries, including:
RIVERTON 2660 Peck Ave. Riverton, WY 82501 (307) 855-2000
LANDER
120 Enterprise Blvd. Lander, WY 82520 (307) 332-3394
JACKSON
240 S. Glenwood St #124 P.O. Box 4795 Jackson, WY 83001 (307) 733-7425
DUBOIS
302 W. Ramshorn P.O. Box 175 Dubois, WY 82513 (307) 455-2625
Bulk Staples
Includes the basics for baking and calories required to survive. Don’t purchase what you won’t use! Store in food-safe containers.
ONE PERSON/3 MONTHS 4 PEOPLE/3 MONTHS
Flour - 10 pounds
Wheat - 65 pounds (Grind for baking, as well as salads and breakfast dishes.)
Cornmeal - 13 pounds
Sugar - 13 pounds
Brown Sugar - 1/ 1/2 pounds
Molasses - 1/4 pound
Honey - ¼ pound (Honey is great for baking, and soothes sore throats and coughs.)
Maple Syrup - 1 quart
Baking Soda - 1/4 pound
Baking Powder - 1/4 pound
Corn Starch - 1/4 pound
Dried Beans - 10 pounds
Lentils - 1 1/4 pounds
Dried Bean Soup Mix - 1 to 3 pounds
Dried Pasta - 15 pounds
Rice - 25 pounds
Powdered Milk - 25 pounds (Repackage dried milk in jars with oxygen packs, and use a vacuum sealer to pull the air out of it. Lasts up to two years without an issue as long as they’re kept in a dark area.)
Evaporated Milk - 5 cans
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 1can
Iodized Salt - 1/4 pound
Cooking Oil - 1 gallon
Olive Oil - 1/2 gallon
Vinegar
Apple Cider Vinegar - 1/2 gallon
White Vinegar - 1/2 gallon
Dry Yeast - 1/3 pound
Coffee - 10 to 20 pounds
Flour - 30 pounds
Wheat - 200 pounds
Cornmeal - 40 pounds
Sugar - 40 pounds
Brown sugar - 5 pounds
Molasses - 1 pound
Honey - 5 pounds
Maple Syrup - 3 quarts
Baking Soda - 1 pound
Baking Powder - 1 pound
Corn Starch - 1 pound
Dried beans - 40 pounds
Lentils - 5 pounds
Dried Bean Soup Mix - 5 to 10 pounds
Dried Pasta - 45 pounds
Rice - 70 pounds
Powdered Milk - 70 pounds
Evaporated Milk - 15 cans
Sweetened Condensed Milk - 5 cans
Iodized Salt - 1 pound
Cooking Oil - 3 gallons
Olive Oil - 1 gallon
Vinegar
White vinegar - 1 gallon
Dry Yeast - 1 pound
Coffee - 10 to 20 pounds
Tea Tea
Apple cider vinegar - 1 gallon
Meat
Track your family’s daily intake of meat and calculate what you’ll need in terms of pounds. This can include canned tuna, chicken, beef, or home-canned meat.
Freeze-dried meats are often sold in 10-pound cans and can be easily incorporated into meals.
Don’t forget jerky and other dried meat!
Fresh Produce
Many fruits and vegetables can be stored without refrigeration. A root cellar is the optimum storage space, but you can also use a cool, dark space in your basement, crawl space, or even closet.
ONE PERSON/3 MONTHS 4 PEOPLE/3 MONTHS
Potatoes - 15 pounds
Squash and Pumpkins - 15 pounds
Potatoes - 40 pounds
Squash and pumpkins - 40 pounds
Canned Goods
Apples - 7 pounds
Apples - 20 pounds
Include both goods from the store and home-canned, if capable.
ONE PERSON/3 MONTHS 4 PEOPLE/3 MONTHS
Fruits and Vegetables - 100 quarts in a mixture of both fruits and vegetables.
Fruits and Vegetables - 320 quarts
Beans - 8-12 cans (these are more convenient than dried beans) Beans - 24-36 cans
Tomato Sauce and/or Stewed Tomatoes - 10-20 cans (or half the amount in quarts)
Tomato sauce and/or Stewed Tomatoes - 30-60 cans
Packaged Foods
While these are not absolute necessities, they’re handy to have on hand and help vary the menu.
ONE PERSON/3 MONTHS 4 PEOPLE/3 MONTHS
Peanut Butter - 1 ¼ pounds Peanut Butter - 4 pounds
Jellies or Jams - 1 pound Jellies or Jams - 3 pounds
Salad Dressing - 2 cups Salad Dressing - 1 quart
Mayonnaise -20 ounces Mayonnaise -64 ounces
Ketchup - 20 ounces Ketchup - 64 ounces
Mustard - 9 ounces
Mustard - 28 ounces
Cake or Brownie Mixes Cake or Brownie Mixes
Carrots - 7 pounds (These can be buried in a bucket in the ground and covered with straw for long term storage.)
Onions - 12 pounds
Carrots - 20 pounds
Onions - 40 pounds
Dehydrated
You can dehydrate a lot of food to have on hand. Just be sure to vacuum seal it in jars or mylar bags and add a desiccant packet to keep it fresh for up to two years.
✔ Apples
✔ Banana Chips
✔ Pears
✔ Roma Tomatoes ✔ Minced Garlic
✔ Shredded Zucchini
✔ Chopped Carrots
✔ Chopped Celery
✔ Green Beans
Freeze-Dried
Including freeze-dried cheese and eggs in the long-term storage lineup is a useful addition.
✔ Cheese
✔ Eggs (Can be used as is, or for baking and cooking)
The average person requires a minimum of one gallon of water per day. That includes drinking, cooking, and washing. You’ll need to store 360 gallons of water if you don’t have a potable source. Keep stored water in a cool, dark place.
It’s also a good idea to have some sort of water filtration system available, and a gallon of bleach is also critical in water purification.
Additional Items
✔ Protein Powder - Adding powder is useful to consume an adequate level of protein.
✔ Powered Drink Mix - Add powdered drink mixes to add flavor, electrolytes, sodium, and minerals.
✔ Vitamin C and Other Supplements - Have a basic line up of vitamins and supplements to make sure your immune system remains strong.
✔ Canning Salt - Handy to have on hand because in a pinch, salt can become scarce
✔ Medications - Make sure prescription medications are up to date and you have as many as possible at a time. A med kit also provides several different antibiotics along with other useful medications.
✔ Pet Food - Triple your monthly supply of dog or cat food.
✔ Canning supplies - Buy extra lids, rings, jars, and additional ingredients such as pectin, ascorbic acid, and pickling spices.
✔ Toiletries - Stock up enough soap, shampoo, deodorant, and feminine products to last a few months.
Winter Fun for the Whole Family
Gannett Peak Sports at 371 Main St. in Lander offers Snowshoe, Fatbike, and Nordic Ski Rentals all winter long at an affordable price. Grab the family, pick up a rental, and enjoy the beautiful winter trails together. Reserve online at gannettpeaksports. com or call (307) 3322926.
Get Into the Spirit
Celebrate the holidays Rustic Pine style. Featuring stylish hats, beanies, and shirts, as well as holiday cocktails that will surely put you in the spirit! Located at 119 E. Ramshorn in Dubois, this unique and historic tavern is the place to be. rusticpinetavern.com
Sophisticated Yet Relaxed
For your special someone, give a gift that can be used all year – a gift card to Mulino Italian Bistro! Located at 129 Main Street in Lander, Mulino's is known for their hand crafted pasta, carefully selected ingredients and perfectly prepared cuisine. Support a local business and give a gift you know will be enjoyed. Call (307) 4384016 or email mulinobistro@ gmail.com"
Cheers to You!
Pushroot Brewing is a lager-focused brewery that specializes in quality, easy-to-drink beers that are perfect for any occasion. Swing by and experience the unique and delightful flavors of lagers while enjoying the welcoming and family-friendly taproom. Located at 595 Main St, Lander.
Gear Up!
This holiday season be sure to stop by Wild Iris Mountain Sports at 166 Main St. in Lander. Offering a huge selection of outdoor gear, apparel, footwear, and all kinds of gifts for the adventurer in your life. Their friendly staff can help you find exactly what you are looking for to fit within any budget. wildirisclimbing.com
localShop
SERVICE ON YOUR SCHEDULE
Your time is important. That’s why Fremont Motor Lander offers complimentary mobile service plus pickup and delivery so you can get back to what truly matters. Because your convenience and peace of mind are our top priority.
WYOMING TRUSTED FOR OVER 85 YEARS
Since 1938, Fremont Motor Lander has proudly served the people of Wyoming. We’re more than a car dealership; we are your neighbors, we are Wyoming—committed to the values and spirit that built this community from the ground up.
