Return to Timber Butte

In my book, “A Journey of Gratitude”, I speak of a life journey which transitioned through four distinct seasons of adult life. My journey has been one of diversity and challenge. It has been one filled with adversity, adventure, short comings and blessings. Where I find myself today, during the “winter” season of life, I could not have fathomed when my journey first began as a young man in the 1960’s. Amazingly, it was due to the difficulty of a learning disability that I found my way to Idaho during a time when its landscape was wild and enticing. At 17 years old I purchased a 1943 reconnaissance airplane and used it to explore places which would be difficult to experience any other way. In my early 20’s I met Nancy, my future wife, and took her flying though Idaho’s western hills and valleys on our first date. During that flight we passed a distinct looking butte known as Timber Butte. We couldn’t have known it then, or possibly guessed that one day, after nearly 50 years of marriage we would establish our home together at

Northern lights over Timber Butte chapel

the base of that butte. After a life together, rich with fulfillment, experiences and adventure, along with our two adult children’s families, we would build a ranch which would become known as “Timber Butte Homestead”. As I reflect on the beauty of this place and the journey which enabled us to get here, my heart is filled with thanksgiving and gratitude.