Good Morning:
I am considering a possible move to the Medicine Bow / Rock River / Hanna area.
Does any Forum Member live or have lived in this general area?

My Wife wants Tennessee but I am thinking farther West.

A rural area where I can have a personal shooting range without complaining neighbors is what I would like.

Thanks for any imput.
Jimmy

If you are used to Florida, you had better get used to dang cold winters. They seem to only have a half month of summer.

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Dick

Diamondback is right - You best reconsider the foothills of Tennessee; you can have your moonshine still and shooting range near your back porch without being noticed... a great place to live - y'all come, ya hear.

Pete

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NRA, GOA Lifer

I own the Carlin Ranch north of Rock River, and NE of Medicine Bow.

This is a link that shows the ranch location. The Carlin ranch includes the red area on the large map and all of the rest north of there outlined in red. The red area is just closed to hunting.

http://gf.state.wy.us/PLPWHMProgram/...obluffsweb.pdf

There are some areas that are being developed for housing on either side of my ranch.

All of the old timers just shake their heads in sadness and disbelief at people buying these plots sight unseen and thinking they can enjoy themselves out here.

One bought property with the intention of starting and Emu farm. Built a large steel barn etc... Barn is abandoned as is the man's dreams.

Another wanted raise Christmas trees. Take a look at the picture and note the forests leaping skyward. It's 500 feet to water and the flow if you find water is up to a gallon and a half a minute.


Many many folks make a down payment and monthly payments for a couple of years and then come out to see their Wyoming ranch.



They are stunned at what they have done to themselves and many just default on their purchases and the "Developer" sells it to some other poor sucker.

This is part of the Rocky Mountain Timberland subdivision. It's 40 miles to the nearest tree. There will be hundreds and hundreds of wind turbines on those flats in 5-8 years.


There are no utilities, no water. (People haul water 50 miles round trip.)

This area is on the cusp of yet another boom and bust cycle.

The last one was coal, this one is wind turbines. Housing, such as it is, is old and dilapidated and non-existent, and will be going at a premium for the next few years. Workers will have to commute or live in camp trailers or temporary housing until construction is complete. Then things will return to a deafening silence and decay.

There is a run down convenience store in RR and MB. You have to go to Rawlins or Laramie for groceries or anything else.

The winters in this area are terribly cold and bleak. Wind chills can get down into the 70's below 0. The wind is incessant. One guy froze to death out there last winter.

For cat's sake, come out in the winter time and take a hard look for a week or so before making any purchases or decisions.

I will say this. There is room to shoot.. Shooter's killed 15,000 prairie dogs on my ranch last year, and have killed 12,000 so far this spring.

I am including link to a place that has property for sale.


http://www.rockymountaintimberlands....tex-ranch.html


I do this to show what the land looks like, and to advise you that these people are masters in "what they didn't tell you" They list links to the wonderful features in the area.

Such as the Como Bluff Fish Hatchery... Closed and sold.
Dinosaur museum... Closed and sold.
Como Bluff Dinosaur site... Nothing to see and on private property...
5 miles from county roads..Yup and 30 miles to the highway and the roads are not plowed or maintained in the winter, thus the guy freezing to death.

OK I'm gonna stop my rant now, but I wanted to forewarn you about things in this area.

If I can give you further insight, contact me by PM or Email.

Regards,
Iggy

What did I tell ya - Come to beautiful Tennessee:
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http://www.landintennessee.com/?gclid=CKf-oKmYrZsCFQ4MDQodWCAtCg


http://www.tennesseelandandlakes.com/?CMP=KNC-L4A508534546&HBX_PK=property+tennessee&HBX_OU=50&keycode=GOOGLEPPC_GVB&gclid=CL6UmZCZrZsCFQ_yDAod8EY8Cg


http://martinmountainproperty.com/

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NRA, GOA Lifer

I was about to chastise DB68 and Oldfella...

Summer is certainly NOT a half month long...

Summer is July 13th...

At 2:30 in the afternoon...

Most years...

On occasion it does snow though...

Well, actually more likely hail...

I guess that chastisement is unnecessary now...

With Iggy's rosy picture, Wyoming is destined/fortunate to remain...

The land of high altitudes and low multitudes...

Which, I'd imagine, is just fine with most folks in Wyoming ...

Besides, it's not like Jimmy is from Kalifornia or the PDR of Denver ...

I live in Laramie, home of the Univ. of Wyo. and about 45 miles from Rock River and 60 miles from Iggy's place. I was born and raised in this state, lived near Yellowstone Park for 40 years and 17 years here. I'm the 5th generation in my family to live here, and I wouldn't live anywhere else for anything. Having said all that, pay careful attention to Iggy's post. This is tough country, and it takes a special sort of oddball/independent thinker to stay for more than a year or two. Many people move here only to discover that it isn't all beer and skittles, and they leave a year or two later - sometimes much less. Not to say you can't succeed here. You certainly can. But just know what you're getting into before you lay down your hard-earned money.

Yup, summer came on a Thurs. last year, and I had to work and missed the picnic.

Wyoming as a whole is a wonderful place to be, but when I-80 was opened, 35 or so years ago, and by-passed the little towns on old US 30, they just plumb starved to death.

Jr. and I were out there last weekend. We went to the gun show in Cheyenne and spent the night in Laramie. Didn't see Iggy anywhere. It's beautiful country but after talking to a few locals I decided it's not somewhere I would want to retire to. I'll put up with a few months of sweltering heat and the danger of hurricanes in exchange for relatively mild winters. I really enjoyed watching the wildlife in Wyoming, especially the pronghorns.

At one time had some family in Sheridan.
Hunted pronghorn E N/E of Spotted Horse (pre Mobil oil shale)
What Iggy, Sub and Wyo said. Beautiful, but in it's own unique way that's not for everyone. Back in the early to mid 60's my Cousin's husband out there had a short wave set up that would rival NASA! He once quipped about needing it to be able to communicate with the outside world.

Charlie,
I watched for that orange root beer cap, but din't see you.

For point of reference, that was a pretty good show by Wyoming standards.

Sorry I missed you.

Iggy

If you take your wife out there you might not have a wife for long! You'll have plenty of prairie dogs to keep you company though.

Spent 8 years in the Cheyenne area, shot plenty, backpacked a lot and had a great respect for what the climate can do to the uninitiated.

Loved the people but the climate really wore me down. There's a reason I kept a mummy bag, water, rations and candles in the vehicle most of the year!

-65 one night finally convinced me that southbound was the way to go.

Arizona is closed to further legal immigration, by the way, but you might look at New Mexico, which I understand is woefully underpopulated...

Re: Iggy's picture link:

That is God's country. He leased it to the devil for 5 years, the devil went broke in two and left it to God.

There's a lot of that kind of country west of the 100th meredian, in several states. Some of it has better water, some has even less, and deeper as well. Wind farms are springing up everywhere, as noted, there being plenty of wind.

Several years ago I swore I'd never cross the Mississippi traveling eastward again, so far so good. Given the choice between Washington DC area and Wyoming, both places starting with the letter W, I'd take Wyoming every time.

Others have different opinions and experiences.

rayb

Actually, mor like 1/2 DAY! It usually comes on a July or August afternoon. Have seen it snowing on Elk Mountain jurt a bit SW of Hanna during the Summer.

Heartily concur with rayb thouch.

But Iggy does paint a quite rosy picture.

But if you like hunting, fishing and shooting, and solitude, and your sife is like minded there are lot of places worse you could choose. For the most part only people born and raised in the state seem to stay long.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder - There are beautiful places all over this great country; Tennessee is but one of them - The majesty of Tennessee!

http://www.landandfarm.com/lf/s/63/b...see_estate.asp


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NRA, GOA Lifer

Low taxes (no income tax) and good scenery. Lots of BLM land (much of it landlocked) and places you can go and see lots of stars and not one electric light for miles. No future for kids but at times you can almost believe we still live in a free country.

I grew up in the Dakotas so winters don't bother me.

Made the comments, with very little tongue in cheek, but with a lot of jealousy...

About 4 years ago we were in Aurora for the NTOA conference the first week of September. Slipped up the Interstate to Cheyenne to say "Hi" and went into a cafe for lunch. When we came out, there was about 2 inches of snow on the rental. We headed west to run through Laramie, but by the time we got there it was getting worse so I took the back way south. Didn't quit the sideways snow till we got past Fort Collins. Back in Aurora the next day we were working in T-shirts .

Intended to move just west of Cody, along the Wapiti Valley or just south of the BB Reservoir 2000/01, but the wife blew out her back and it's been doctor after doctor since. I'm not sure she needs the doctors or she's just trying to avoid moving . Truthfully, it is kind of unfair to her since I travel all over the US as well as 3rd. world ***** holes for work and can be gone 3 months at a time. I'd be sure to schedule something to get through March that's for sure. Have to settle for yearly, except this year , 3-4 week visits for now...

Iggy, I'll admit, one of my few disappointments has been the gunshows. Well except for the Cody show in June . Years ago, stopped in a small "gunshop"/motel lobby and joked with the wife that I had more guns in the back of the 4X4 rental that he had in the shop . It was close to true BTW.

My hat's off to folks who've survived there, especially for generations .

Lets talk about beautiful Wyoming. First time was in 1951 when I was greeted with a snowstorm in Yellowstone on the 4th of July. Second time was in 53 when I spent 8 months at Fort Francis E. Warren courtesy the AF - way to cold for me. Took a drive into the Great Snowy Range in August and the road was closed due to snow. Love the state and wouldn't mind living there if I were 50 years younger. At my age, I'll just stay here in NC.

I lived in Laramie for five years, this was by choice, I wasn't going to UW. As others have said, the winters can be a bear, but all in all, Wyoming has a helluva lot going for it. I'm glad I am in Texas now, 100 degreee days and all, but I can think of a lot of worse places to live than WY.

I lived an Cody and flew a jet airplane for a large company. We loved Cody, The hunting, fishing and other outdoor activites were most enjoyable. Cody in the winter was a specal place without the tourests. But one day the big company had a change of management and our airplane was sold and everyone was fired. I loved Cody and would have stayed there for ever but it was not to be as there was no work in my field. Broke my heart to leave but had no choice. We were there for a little over four years. You'll love Wyoming if you get a chance to live there for a year or so. Captain Hornet.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for your guidance!! This is JimmyJ's wife..... a 5th generation Floridian! I live in flip flops and shorts and hate rainy days when I can't go outside. Heck, I even love hurricane season! I would go anywhere with J..... but I had an island more in mind :-)

Jimmy and Wife,
Spent 42 years as a Florida transplant. Used to think that was the only place on earth. After Mom passed and I transferred out i went to AZ, then MT and retired in WY. Wondered what took so long to get out of there.
More people and Traffic lights in Nashville than in all of Wyoming combined.
Compared to MT this is the Banana Belt for weather. This summer has been a scorcher here as it has been elsewhere.
Not much in the area you mentioned except open nothingness, and long isolated winters if we get lots of snow.
There are still places here within commuting distance to open spaces and open property for sale to set up your range. No people, no state income taxes, low property taxes and lots of friendly folks and a couple of old grouches in Cheyenne.
Not all doom and gloom here, but will be in the area where you are talking about. Iggy's Carlin ranch is about the most desolate place on earth in a cold snowy winter or very hot drought stricken summer... like this year.
No humidity, English is still the language here, more cows than people and lots of room.
Thom Braxton
SWCA #1474

I have lived up in North Western Wyoming, just 5 miles from Montana for about 6 years. There is no more beautiful or safer place in the US.
No income tax, not even on retirement pay. Lots of fine folks, and I think there are more Elk then people up here.
Wapti, Cody, Powell, and Meeteetse are all nice area's. It does get a bit quiet up here in the winter, but at my age thats just fine.

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MSG US Army

I don't want people to think there aren't great places to live in Wyoming.
I was just concerned that ol Jimmyj didn't pick Medicine Bow.

I've seen too many people buy places sight unseen out there and then have their dreams go up in dust.

I even helped a couple of CT Yankees relocate to the Cheyenne area this spring. He posts on here occasionally and we're still on speaking terms.
In fact we're gonna be shippin' cattle in the mornin'.

Jimmy,

You and your wife are welcome here in. N.W. Indiana. I can always use a shooter and reloader to man my South facing gun port.

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SOS USA

Youse guys ain't as observant as ya used to be. Jimmy moved up to Tennessee awhile back. I guess living in the Great Flat West you don't get "Intarnet communication" right away, something about a satellite delay maybe. Joe

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Wisdom chases me; I'm faster

Yup, you beat me to it. This here is long legged country, even bullets take longer to git where they're goin' outchere.

Years ago, my Pappy would say come about January, that he was gonna tie his scoop shovel out onto the hood of his pickup and drive south until somebody asked him what that was.. He said that's where I'm gonna stop and I ain't comin' back.

He must not have been too serious. He died a couple of years back at 92 and he was still here.

I just checked and realized that this thread was started 4 years ago in 2009. Iggy, did they ever build all of them Wind Generators that you talked about?

Me dream is to put the 220 Swift and the 22-250 in the car and come up for a afternoon of shooting at some of those 15000 Prairie Dogs.

Right now it is 90 with a Heat Index of 99.

NOAA National Weather Service

I think you're just trying to keep that place all to yourself.

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Sure you did

Jimmy and wife, I noticed that you are near Vonore, Tennessee. I haven't visited there since 1971 and that is 42 years ago. I had kinfolk in both Vonore and Loudon (Curtis family). That area was absolutely beautiful back then but the TVA took my Great Uncle's farm and completely flooded it. Although things have most certainly changed over the years, I still remember the beautiful scenery and the friendly people. Have things changed so much for the worse that you would want to move? I would think that the Knoxville or Chattanooga rural areas would still offer places to live on where you could set up a shooting range and enjoy freedom. Just some thoughts. Hope you find a place to relocate to that you both will love.

Charlie

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SWCA # 2294

Iggy, did they ever build all of them Wind Generators that you talked about?

Me dream is to put the 220 Swift and the 22-250 in the car and come up for a afternoon of shooting at some of those 15000 Prairie Dogs.

Right now it is 90 with a Heat Index of 99.

NOAA National Weather Service[/QUOTE]

THere were a few turbines put up but WY legislature and county commissioners put such draconian tax requirements on the developers that they went to New Mexico and other places.

Plague killed most of the pasture poodles a year or so back. I was up to the ranch a while back and saw 2 on the entire place. I ain't complainin' you understand.

They will no doubt be back, but it's gonna take a couple of years before it will be worth the trip.

Ladder13,
I think you're just trying to keep that place all to yourself.

Yup, we're purt near full.

If the wife says Tennessee, then the Mississippi River is about as far west as you're gonna get pardner. Maybe get a little house boat, and tie it up on the river bank. All kinds of flotsam going by to plink at.

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Why, I aughta.....

HOWDY:
WE moved to Vonore, Tennessee in the ladder part of 2009.
Medical problems from my LEO days finally caught up with me.
I am currently receiving treatments at UT Medical Center. To add to my load, UT also recently found I have "Lead Poisoning". At my age and Medical Issues, the latest issue (Lead Poisoning) is just being "Monitored". Vonroe is still a beautiful place. Friendly folks in a small town (two traffic Lights) but only 45 minutes from UT. Appears that my dream of moving "West" "An't goin to happen" .