From July 15 through August 13, 2005 I was a resident at the Jentel Artist Residency Program.  The program provides housing and a space to work.  And when I say housing, it's complete.  It has the feel of a very comfortable bed and breakfast -- though you have to make your own breakfast (lunch and dinner, too).  I wasn't sure what to expect, so I brought my own sheets and some other necessities that I'd learned to haul along with me after living in dorms at writing programs.  Totally unnecessary.  The handbook made it clear there were linens and a full kitchen, but sometimes those claims are not all they're cracked up to be.  Well, you'll see from the pictures how unnecessary my preparations were.  If you're a writer, bring what you need to write (laptop, typewriter, paper, books, etc.), and if you're an artist, bring your materials.  But as far as living, you won't find yourself in too much need here. 

In addition to the ultra comfy accommodations, the rugged Wyoming country is spectacularly beautiful.  Don't worry if the word "rugged" bothers you: the grounds are very well groomed (though, unfortunately, quite rugged for those using a wheelchair, though potentially passable).  If you drive out or can hook up with someone with a car, consider a trip to the Bighorn Mountains, or many of the other tamer places around, such as the towns of Sheridan, Buffalo, and Story.  Sheridan is the "big city" around here.  There are enough grocery stores (Albertson's, Safeway), restaurants, liquor stores, stationers, hardware, lumber, outfitters, an art supply store, and many other shops to keep you well supplied.  It's en route to Yellowstone, so of course there are also plenty of tacky souvenirs.   There's even, Lord help us, a Wal-Mart at one end of town and a K-Mart at the other.  But I recommend Dan's if you're looking for some real western clothing, Top Office Supply if you want a nice pen, or Jon Quarterman's pawn shop if you want a great deal on a guitar and some good conversation. 

Finally, I can't guarantee you'll be so lucky, but the other residents at  Jentel have all been fantastic, not to mention the administrators, Lynn and Mary Jane, and of course, the benefactor.  We residents have enjoyed cooking together or putting on a big meal for each other, hiking both the "Thousand Acres" behind Jentel and up in the Bighorns, fishing, watching a few movies, going to the rodeo, and just visiting.  You can't see it so much from the pictures, but we also got some work done.  Speaking for myself, I am extremely grateful for the time and space Jentel provided me to make some progress on a book of poems I am putting together (based on my Warren Wilson thesis manuscript).  The alchemy of the accommodations, work space, environment, and people have certainly helped my writing develop, not to mention the progress I've made on my book.  

In case it's not clear by now, it's been a rich and rewarding experience.  Don't even think twice about applying if any of this sounds good to you.

This is a wire thingy I found on the road my second day.  At first I thought it might be a wonderfully beautiful accident of wire dropped by a rancher.  Then it began to dawn on me that it was more likely something made by a Jentel resident.  Kate, a former resident who sent me a nice postcard out of the blue, confirmed in an email that it was "a remnant of Adam's installation, which worked for one beautiful Wyoming night and then died. But it was unbelievably beautiful."  Clearly.