This blog almost became lost in the shadow of COVID-19, but I decided kindness and being a good neighbor always deserve attention, especially now. Here is a story about three 23-year-old skiers, hospitality heroes, and the village of Wamsutter, Wyoming, population 500.
Lindsay Kooy, Metamora, Michigan, is participating in the national Fellows Initiative program in Colorado Springs and has lived with us since August. She and eight other Fellows are working for nine months in our community and church and attending leadership classes together. Her schedule has been packed, but once in a while–pre-COVID-19–there have been times to ski. “Fellows” Lindsay, Murphy Stadelmaier, and Sophie Hoekstra chose the February 28-March 1 weekend to drive 9 hours to Utah and ski with a Salt Lake City friend.
The ski slopes were great and the sisterhood par excellence. It was a fine weekend until the skiers headed back to the Springs that Sunday afternoon.
Weather Alert
Treacherous U.S. Interstate 80, with its ice, snow, wind, and low visibility, brought them to a halt six miles outside of Wamsutter, Wyoming. The trio waited and waited, watching numerous tow trucks and emergency workers from Wamsutter, Laramie, and Casper zoom down the road on the closed side of the interstate. They called family and friends and received multiple slivers of advice. Uncle Jeremy from Laramie counseled that if they had to shelter in place overnight, they could insulate their vehicle with duct tape and newspaper. He also advised they run the car for 10 minutes every hour.
The longer they waited the more these Fellows realized they were stuck. They texted their bosses to say they wouldn’t be there in the morning. The temperature was falling to nine degrees. Of course, they had ski clothes so freezing to death wouldn’t happen. But, how long would the interstate be closed? No drivers around them seemed to know.
Good Neighbor: Micki Waldner
Fountain, Colorado.
They remembered the Love’s Travel Stop back at Exit 173. Determined Murphy started backing up her SUV for a half mile. Then, she turned around to drive head-on down the road’s shoulder. Whenever an emergency vehicle wanted to use her open lane, she squeezed between cars and trucks. Finally, they made it to Love’s, and it would turn out they made the right decision. That day, I-80 suffered two terrible accidents on both sides of the road: three people died, over 30 people were injured, and seventy vehicles slipped and collided. The interstate would remain closed until the following Wednesday.
But at the time the Fellows simply knew they were glad to get to Love’s for bathroom and snacks. They even eyed some board games to pass the time.
Here is where good neighbors enter. Micki Waldner had Love’s night shift. At about 11 p.m., she wondered if the gathering snow pilgrims might be more comfortable at her Wamsutter Baptist Church. She called a deacon and soon announced the travelers were welcome to bed down on cushioned pews. Then she drove a caravan to the church.
Good Neighbors: Wamsutter Deacon and Principal Chip Roney
Lindsay said a friendly deacon greeted them and said something like, “You all are more than welcome to stay here, but our principal has opened up the school. You might be more comfortable there.”
Off they drove to Desert School, K-8, and were greeted by Principal Chip Roney. Principal Roney pulled out 41 cots with new blankets. He handed out baggies containing toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, and combs. His school was an emergency shelter, but it had not been needed for years.
When all was organized, Principal Roney asked if there was anything else he could do for them. A quiet voice from Fort Collins asked, “Do you mind opening up the gym? We’ve been sitting a long time.”
He said something like, “Well, sure. I can do that! I even have my gym shoes in the car.”
So, about 12:30 a.m., Lindsay and company found themselves in the gym playing basketball and volleyball. Although sleep was restless, Lindsay said she felt safe and cared for in Wamsutter. “They didn’t have to do anything for us. We were planning to sleep in our car and re-evaluate in the morning. Instead, this generous community got out of their warm beds at 11 p.m. to welcome a group of scraggly ski bums and travelers. We were in awe of their hospitality.”
On the Road Again
The next day, Principal Roney and the staff he labeled “great” had a plan in place to teach the children away from the sleeping travelers (he said the last group hung out in the staff lounge until noon). All the sojourners received directions to try a back road to get home. He said something like, “You’ll know within 20 minutes if your car can make it the back way. Might as well try!” Later, Principal Roney said his unexpected guests were always welcome to return to Wamsutter–but hopefully not under an emergency.
Faithfully Be a Good Neighbor
Even now, under COVID-19, Lindsay, too, is modeling hospitality at Crossfire Ministries, a grocery store for the poor and unemployed. Instead of working on communication projects, however, she is distributing food to hundreds during this challenging time. Skiing will be on hold until the fall.
<><<
Find out more about the Fellows Initiative here: https://www.thefellowsinitiative.org/
Crossfire Ministries website is: https://www.crossfireministries.org/
The above feature image of wrecked vehicles from the March 1 I-80 accidents is courtesy of Cowboy State Daily. Their photo is a clip from video taken by trucker David Cuarezma, whose truck was damaged. Most of the other photos are courtesy of Lindsay Kooy.