MAIL DAY . .

Every Wednesday is mail day on the Main Salmon River.  Since there is no road transportation in or out of the ranches mail is brought in by mail plane.  Our service comes through Arnold Aviation out of Cascade Idaho, about 80 miles due south of here by road or I don't know how far in aviation miles.  There are about 20 stops on the mail route.  The plane can also bring any special fresh produce or other groceries if ordered and it will fit in the plane.  The plane is usually a Cessna 185 - with four seats with the back seats taken out or a Cessna 206 which is larger.  The plane first circles our ranch to check for any livestock or other critters on the air strip - elk, deer, big horn sheep or whatever and then comes back for a landing.

Mail plane taxis to a stop on the air strip . ..

 

We go out to meet the plane with the jeep to unload mail and groceries and whatever else we have ordered in.  Thirty some years ago when I was here mail day was so very exciting because it was the only way to receive mail and there was usually a two week turn around.  It was waiting with baited breath to receive a letter from a child or spouse or lover or whomever.  Now we have satellite e-mail, facebook or Skype so there is no wait and not the excitement there once was. 

 

Mail bag used for outgoing and incoming correspondence

 

We put any outgoing mail in our mail bag and receive another one back with our incoming mail.  In the winter if the plane cannot land on skiis, the pilot will drop this mailbag for us on the airstrip.  We go out to meet the plane and greet our pilot, Ray.  Sometimes he will come back to the lodge for a cup of coffee, but not today.  It is too hot and he has to keep going before the air temperature is too hot and he can no longer make landings or takeoffs. Today he is here at 10:00 a.m. and we are not the first stop. 

 

 

The landing . . .

 

Mike unloads mail plane with our mail and other stuff . ..

 

Our mail man Ray with controls in mail plane . . .

 

Mike and pup Cane (sounds like Connie) with truck loaded up from mail plane and headed back to the lodge. ..

 

Mail plane takes off from Shepp Ranch airstrip headed for next ranch, Mackay Bar . . .

 

We go back to the lodge with the mail and sit down at the picnic table to read and enjoy.

 

Mike and Lynn (Managers of Ranch) opening mail and other stuff at picnic table at the lodge . ..

 

And so, I received one letter this first mail day from Jen Lesser who is now living in my Vermont cabin.  Please write if you can.  A hand written letter means so much and promise I will write back.  my address is:

Shepp Ranch

HC 83 Box 8000

Cascade ID 83611