I interviewed Ben Longwell of Pendleton, Oregon. Ben grew up in Colorado, but has cowboyed all around the western US. For many years, he worked in New Zealand, where his wife, Natalie, was born and raised.

Here, Ben shares a moment way up in the Big Horn mountains of northern Wyoming and southern Montana. The Big Horns are remote and wondrous, but also daunting, with their own weather and terrain.

This particular moment unfolds along the Molly Crospey livestock trail, just east of Shell, Wyoming, at around 7,500 feet elevation.

It’s pretty unpopulated thereabouts. In Big Horn County, which is twice as big as the state of Delaware, there are fewer than four people per square mile.

I really enjoyed hearing how that scene unfolded and appreciated Ben’s take-away. What a beautiful lesson to fold into your life.

Also, you are one for understatement, my friend. I’ve herded horses horseback before, and, it can sure get, as you say, ‘interesting.’

We’ll put a link to Ben’s horse work on our website.

AweNice welcomes interviewees. If you have a moment you experienced while working outside and would like to share it, contact us at awenice.com.

Our music is by my friend, Forrest Van Tuyl, who knows a bit about wonders at work. Find more of his terrific music here.

My name is Maddy Butcher, I developed Awe Nice in hopes of brightening your day. If you’d like to donate, check out this page. And thank you.

Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. Until next time.

Aidan Gaughran lives right here in Montezuma County, but for five years he worked in Panama. First, he was in the Peace Corps, then he returned to manage an eco-lodge.

As a PCV, Aidan worked in the community environmental conservation sector on the Azuero Penisula and helped bring sustainable cook stoves to his community. He also helped develop a fruit orchard.

While his moment of awe stemmed from a recreational outing, he told me that similar events have unfolded closer to where he worked, near Las Minas, and during work projects.

Yes, we have rattlesnakes and wildfire in Colorado. But I think Panama has us beat in terms of ways to get hurt and die when out in remote areas - scores of venomous snakes, scorpions, spiders. The combination of heavy rains and varied terrain can sure be treacherous. Indeed, another Peace Corps volunteer from Colorado was found dead in a creek, during Aidan’s time there. They think he slipped and hit his head while trying to cross. Community members have died from snake bites.

Aidan’s juxtaposition of time - the slow, deliberate progress of the vine snake, the rising water, and finally their urgent move to get out of harm’s way - makes this segment particularly fascinating.

AweNice welcomes interviewees. If you have a moment you experienced while working outside and would like to share it, contact us here.

Our music is by my friend, Forrest Van Tuyl, who knows a bit about wonders at work.

Keep your eyes, ears, and mind open. Until next time.