The Idle American: Old school in Casper

For a few days, it seemed that I’d caught lightning in a bottle, the kind rarely seen on life’s highway, particularly in the slow lane. It was as if bolts from the heavens were barely moving, like senior adults who can’t - or won’t - speed up, even if cited by traffic officers who urge enrollment in offensive driving classes.

While deplaning at Casper, Wyoming, International Airport, I felt transported back in time. Sure enough, I was suddenly in a community with a death grip on values and community spirit that prevailed in the 20th century, but in most states have greatly loosened in the 21st century.

It felt strange walking downward on a ramp; after all, most airports have jetways rolled out to snuggle against exit doors soon after touch down.

Casper International has one jetway; it has sat idle for several years about 50 yards from the airport’s four gates. “I guess they leave it there to make the airport seem more international,” a deplaning wag laughed.

Upon entering the terminal, one spies a concession area providing sandwiches, drinks, chips, fruit, candy and the like. Scrawled on a simple sign on a cigar box-shaped receptacle are these words: “Leave contributions if you’d like.”

This kind of trusting spirit prevails throughout the airport. All employees I saw there were welcoming and helpful, like personnel staffing cruise lines and Chick-fil-A restaurants. Clearly, they are well-trained.

Outside, wildlife run freely. Sunshine and cool air delight in the summer, and in the winter, snows provide excellent skiing. There are lodges, camp grounds and rustic food stops on the winding road leading to the pinnacle that is Mount Casper.

Air seems to shrink at 8,200 feet, and down below runs the North Platte River, meandering lazily through the city, trout visible through the transparent water.

In Casper, I was treated to a first-ever experience that I hope to repeat, strapped down securely in an Argo. Reading the word, your head may tilt like mine did when I first heard it. What, pray tell, is an Argo? It looks like a miniature jeep; it has eight wheels that resemble those on golf carts, except they’re larger as if on steroids. With a driver plus one, Argos can traverse both pavement and rivers/ponds/lakes. When drivers plunge the vehicles into water, usually some three feet below, they become vessel operators. Talk about cruisin’ down the river.

One day, perhaps they’ll discover, build or uncover something that will cause throngs to converge on Wyoming.

Oh, I meant to mention another summer attraction: A baseball team with college players - some of whom make it to the major leagues - plays there. They’re called “Casper Spuds.” This seems to be an unlikely mascot name. Light is shed when one learns that the team formerly was in Idaho before crossing the state line. Seems to me a name change is in order, perhaps “Friendly Ghosts.”

I hope Wyoming can maintain its welcoming spirit. Where else could one drive slowly down the street, engrossed in a vignette that unfolds each weekday morning? A dentist and his wife/office manager arrive a few minutes before going inside. First, though, peanut butter is spooned into the knothole of a tree on the premises, delighting squirrels who scurry down to claim the treat. With birds eagerly waiting for squirrels to abandon the knothole so they can eat the leavings, the couple goes inside for another day at work.

A sign urging civility is posted in the Denver International Airport. It seems misplaced. (One might wonder if the sign was first posted in Casper, then duplicated for display in Denver.) It reads, “When push comes to shove, don’t.”

Glenn Dromgoole, longtime editor of the Abilene Reporter-News, is a valued friend for more than 50 years and brilliant writer who has long promoted civility. Check out: morecivilityplease.com.

You’ll sleep better, and, you might learn something that already is known and practiced by the folks in Wyoming.

Dr. Newbury, retired educator, lives in the Metroplex. His website, with archived digital and audio columns, is www.speakerdoc.com. Phone: 817-447-3872. Email: newbury@speakerdoc.com.

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