Open Spaces and New Horizons in Wyoming
Names: Gary and Diana
Residency: BB Brooks Ranch, Casper, Wyoming
Employment: Retired
Passions: Travel, Kayaking, Wildlife, Rock Hunting
Goal: See what there is to see in the American West
Watch Gary and Diana Tell Their Story
Today, Gary and Diana are living their dreams as one only can in the New West, without compromising what is important to them. They have incredible privacy and freedom, but all the culture and social activities they want are 20 minutes away in a city of 55,000. Diana has the modern, tastefully decorated home with all the conveniences she wants and expects, while at the same time being the “home on the range” Gary dreamed of.
“I’m a city girl, so I wasn’t sure I’d be able to handle the quiet,” said Diana. “But I love the peacefulness, and I haven’t had to be 100% country girl.”
Another contrast is that they have put down roots in a place that makes it easy to get away. “I wanted to see the West,” said Diana. “Gary said, what better way to see it than to live it?”
Using their home as a jumping-off point, they have traveled the length and breadth of the American West and Canadian Rockies in their camper, sometimes alone and sometimes with friends. It might be a weekend in South Dakota, or a weekslong vacation to the Southwest. “We come and go as we please,” said Diana. “Sometimes it’s nice not having any plans, or saying ‘Where to next month?’ We’ll never see it all, but we’ve seen so much.”
Getting to know the neighborhood
Closer to home, Gary and Diana take advantage of all that Wyoming has to offer. Diana discovered a new passion for kayaking at the nearby Alcova Reservoir in Fremont Canyon, and the couple like exploring the land in their all-terrain vehicle and by bicycle. Gary goes “treasure hunting” – he once found a door from a cast-iron stove that probably was lost by some pioneer or rancher a century and a half ago – and likes to fish and shoot recreationally.
Life on the range has a way of changing the way you see things. Gary and Diana still have neighbors – they just live miles away instead of yards. They also still have favorite restaurants, shopping, cultural activities and entertainment – it’s just in Casper, not in a strip mall down the road.
Having Casper nearby also makes it easier to come and visit. Gary’s mother was able to come and stay with them for a month, and one of Gary and Diana’s sons came for a visit that left an impression. “Our youngest son loves it,” Gary said. “He said dad, don’t ever sell this place.”
Owning a piece of the Old West
Gary Booth is a history buff with an interest in the Old West, making it fitting that he and his wife chose to settle on the B.B. Brooks Ranch, which is steeped in stories of the era:
- Founded in 1882 by one of Wyoming’s first governors.
- The hilltops are dotted by stone cairns built by the Basque shepherds from Spain who were hired to watch the flocks
- The Oregon Trail passed nearby, and the land was once crisscrossed by Native American tribes and pioneers
- Jeremiah Johnson and other famous Western figures lived or passed through the area
- The surrounding area was the site of famous battles, including the Johnson County War fought between large ranchers to the north and local settlers
The deer and the antelope play – in their backyard
With a clear picture of their life in mind, Gary and Diana were able to plan a house that suited their dreams for retirement – comfortable, low maintenance, modern and beautiful.
Across the open land with its grasses and wildflowers, the rolling land outside their living room window leads up to Casper Mountain in the distance. Their property plays host to all kinds of animals – mule deer, antelope, eagles, fox and the occasional elk. “We get some great sunrises and sunsets,” said Gary. “That was what I envisioned.”
The constant encounters with wildlife and the wide-open skies offer a different perspective – especially the night sky. “There are no street lights, so when it gets dark, its beautiful,” Gary said. “One night I came home from dinner, and there was the Big Dipper coming up on the horizon like you could reach out and grab it.”
The first key was the 40 acres they chose. Looking at electrical access, they found a parcel that was right across from where the power line ended, which they then were able to extend to their property. A well brings them clean, clear water from 300 feet down – Gary dowsed for it and chose the drilling site himself.
The architecture of the house wouldn’t look out of place in any new development, and the construction is little different than one would find anywhere, just with extra insulation and a durable exterior and framing to stand up to winter winds. Snow drifts can build up sometimes, but “usually the snow hits the ground and blows to Nebraska,” Gary said.
All in all, these were a small price to pay for the privacy, the adventures, and unique experiences of Western life. “My brother-in-law came out here and said, ‘You live on a dirt road,’” Gary recalls. “They live in Vegas. When he got out here, he looked around, and he said ‘Now I know why you live here.’”
The roads that extend to the horizon from their front door are the perfect metaphor for the life Gary and Diana enjoy. “Here you have the freedom,” Gary said. “I can go forever.”
“We come and go as we please,” said Diana. “Sometimes it’s nice not having any plans, or saying ‘Where to next month?’ We’ll never see it all, but we’ve seen so much.”
Find Your Place
Learn more about these The Brooks Company ranches:
HIGHLAND SPRINGS RANCH –
New Mexico
Surrounded by mountain ranges, Highland Springs Ranch features a variety of landscapes and easy access to nature. Flowering meadows flow into rolling hills that rise into Chupadera Mountains. Several wildlife refuges, including the renowned Bosque del Apache reserve, are nearby. It’s perfect for hiking, horseback riding, four-wheeling, or hunting. When you need access to a city, Socorro is just a half-hour away.
B.B. BROOKS RANCH –
Wyoming
With over 33,000 acres of rocky hills, green meadows, and rocky outcrops, it’s rare to find a place that offers as much as B.B. Brooks Ranch. The land is breath-takingly beautiful. The area is known for outdoor adventures – including hunting, fishing, biking and skiing. It’s just 8 miles out of Casper, Wyoming’s second largest city, providing access to museums, theater and dining.
DIAMOND B RANCH –
Wyoming
Located on range of green meadows, rolling hills, and dotted with rocky outcrops, Diamond B Ranch offers big-sky views that you’ll never take for granted. Within 90 minutes of the ranch, you have access to some of the best hiking, horseback riding, and skiing that the West has to offer. It is just 30 minutes outside of Cheyenne, Wyoming’s largest city, making it easy to duck in for amenities or entertainment.
SPRING FLOWER RANCH –
Arizona
Nestled at the base of Bill Williams Mountain and bordering Kaibab National Forest, one of world’s the largest Ponderosa Pine forests, Spring Flower Ranch offers natural beauty and access to almost everything. Several state parks, six lakes, and Elephant Rocks golf course - one Arizona’s most scenic - are within a 25-minute drive. It is 2 miles from downtown Williams, where you’ll find fine dining and boutique shopping.
WILD HORSE RANCH –
Wyoming
Featuring scenic rolling hills, the beautiful Medicine Bow mountain range, and tranquil lake Hattie, Wild Horse Ranch offers the best of rural living. Enjoy nature and wildlife, horseback riding, hiking, skiing, watersports and trout fishing. Just 20 minutes outside of Laramie, you have easy access to the conveniences and entertainment options found in the city.