Untold Tales from This Side of Nowhere

A breeze. A zephyr. A gale. Whatever you call it, Wyoming's got it, and it's taken more than a few people by surprise. Wind is just a part of life in Wyoming, and it would never make life's tasks more difficult, right?

Of the many pets owned by the Jones family over the years, one of the most memorable was Levi the Leviathan. His meteoric rise to fame and eventual fall from grace would result in a tragedy of dramatic proportions–or at least dramatic for a crawfish.

Some movies are just so quotable. From Star Wars to Monty Python, cinema is replete with lines that fit so many situations, and Al and his friends love dropping movie quotes whenever they get the chance. "I'm going in!" might just be one of the most infamous...

You'll never forget the day you got your first pocket knife--and everyone who knew you at the time won't forget it either. From your parents to the paramedics who assisted with the aftermath, everyone involved will forever have that day etched in their memories...

Every year, the graduating class of Poverty Flats' high school takes a trip to the nation's capital to broaden the students' cultural horizons and give them an appreciation for our nation's rich history and the workings of the US government. That isn't to say they don't have a good time or have to make some last-minute changes to their plans...

Taking a trip can be expensive--and painful. I should know since I have plenty of experience. You have probably taken a trip a time or two yourself. Parents trip over their kids' toys, construction workers trip head-first into manholes, and athletes trip on untied shoelaces. Everyone trips, but outdoor people probably trip more than anyone else. That's where trip insurance for the outdoors comes in...

It's spring in Northwestern Wyoming, and that not only means things are greening up, but farmers need to make way for new growth. So, they burn, and sometimes--just sometimes--things get a little out of hand...

Whenever you talk about the possibility of something happening shortly before it actually does, it's hard not to think there could be a connection between voicing your fears and seeing them come to life. Whether or not that really is the case, Al's opinion is that keeping your mouth shut is probably the best idea--especially when it comes to the weather...

If you wear corrective lenses, you know they aren't always the most convenient for hunting or fishing. From fogged up glasses to losing your spectacles, you can probably appreciate my reluctance to get a pair of glasses, but looking back, it might not have been such a bad idea! Join Al and his brother Caldwell for a story about why glasses, though inconvenient, are worth sacrificing a little pride.

"'Tis better to beg forgiveness than to ask for permission," the old saying goes. But does it apply to fishing? For Al, it does! Listen in as Al's innocent love of fishing gets him into a trouble (again) in the latest episode of Untold Tales from This Side of Nowhere. I'm sure you won't be able to relate at all!

They say that two things are unavoidable--death and taxes. And while it's true that you can't take it with you, you might wonder what will happen to your hunting and fishing equipment when you're gone. More importantly, what will happen to your good name? Al and his buddy Marty attempt to scratch the surface in the latest episode of UTFTSON.

Chances are you have one at home. It's known by many names--a chest freezer, the deep freeze. Your mother thinks its just for frozen food, but we all know the possibilities are endless...

Merry Christmas! We're closing out 2024 with a Christmas story from Al and Fred's Boy Scouting days. Will they get what they wanted, or will it be socks again? 

Winter driving is just part of life this side of nowhere, and the Joneses grew up driving in the snow. Most of the time they even stayed on the road. This episode is chalk full of stories you won't want to miss out on, and many you can probably relate to. Listen in for Al and Fred's adventures traversing Wyoming's roads in the snow.

In most places, the term "traffic jam" refers to a high volume of cars stopped in the middle of the road. A Wyoming traffic jam occurs when there are so many cows on the road, no one can get by to feed their own cows. This and other terms take on new meaning in the Cowboy State, and in this episode I break down some of the more common terms. Test your knowledge of Wyoming jargon with my (sort of) complete list!

Medicine Lodge Campground and Archeological site is a popular destination for Wyomingites and tourists alike, and its easy to see why. Located on the banks of the beautiful Medicine Lodge Creek, this campground is a regular paradise, and its petroglyphs have been drawing visitors for generations. Could it attract visitors from even farther away, though? Perhaps otherworldly visitors? Listen to find out!

Fences--if you're from the West, you understand. For most people, fences play a passive role, but that's not the case This Side of Nowhere! In this episode I'm joined by special guests, my sons Reuben (5) and Joseph (2) as we talk about fences in the great American West, and the boys have some pretty great insights!

Living in Southern California for two years as a missionary was definitely an adjustment. Surrounded by buildings and people, I missed the wide open spaces of Wyoming, but that didn't keep me from getting outside now and then! In this episode, join the then Elder Jones and his missionary companions on a hike they all enjoyed--well, almost all of them.

Surprise! Betcha thought this one was a two-part episode. Now I guess you have no choice but to listen to part 3! Do the boy scouts make it out of Carroway Canyon? Do they get eaten by a large carnivorous animal? There's only one way to find out...