Here, there and somewhere else

There was a time in Meeker when one could get daily bus service to Grand Junction. My own arrival in the White River Valley taught me not to take any transportation service for granted. The locals might have viewed this two-hour journey as a quick trip, while newcomers found this to be a challenge. Due to unforeseen circumstances, whether it be with unexpected health issues or family situations, this service solved a major life problem that cropped up daily. Local residents, who didn’t have their driver’s licenses because of their changed living situations, were suddenly facing new obstacles to get somewhere else. They were stuck.
“Can you tell me where we can get to the “Wilderness?” a traveler might be overheard to ask someone in the streaming line of passengers headed in all directions. Completely overwhelmed by the minimal signage, they often stopped to read the destination and gate signs posted above the doorways. There were bus numbers next to the names of the various places on the wall map, yet they only seemed to be the names of the larger cities with which they might be familiar: Denver, Durango, or Albuquerque.
The inquirers were unaware that they had neglected to take away one word that changed the meaning of the name of the transportation service for which they were looking. The mystery bus was called “The Wilderness Bus.” They were correct in asking for help in finding “The Wilderness,” yet the way they asked about it gave everyone an idea that they thought they were heading up to an actual wilderness. They didn’t notice the bus number on the ticket, so it made it improbable that they would get to their final destination.
There was a time here that families’ transportation requirements were based on horse-drawn conveyances, such as stagecoach, cart or wagon. Someone would have to get from their homestead or ranch far out in Rio Blanco County to the closest location for their yearly supplies. The rest of the family might be included on this necessary supply run. This invitation to go along became a fun break from the strenuous work schedule they were faced with daily life. County residents got used to hopping in their cars and trucks to go pick up supplies and eventually got used to using these trips for family entertainment.
The loss of the small family businesses required here has taken its toll on attracting new residents. The distance from the closest cities, as well as the lack of some needed employment and shopping opportunities make it difficult for employers to find help. While economic growth in this area is changing and we continue to face the result of depending on a boom-and-bust economy, there is one new attempt by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) to help with one of the biggest challenges some of us face. Behold the Bustang! Colorado’s efforts to link the Front Range to the Western Slope with daily bus service demonstrates their awareness of the psychological divide that separates these two sections of our state. Some of my old friends may have hitchhiked a time or two when they needed to get home, but I am sure there are those of us who remain hopeful that they will extend the service up from Rifle or down from Steamboat. AHHHHHHH, WILDERNESS!