The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

Dear Editor,

A couple of weeks ago my wife and I stopped in Waitsburg to stretch our legs on our long wander from northern Washington to our home in southern Utah. We visited the antique store, saw sidewalk art, and had iced tea and cookies at the hardware store. My wife and I like buildings and you folks have a bunch of interesting houses. We spent more time walking around looking at nicely crafted structures. At some point I walked back to our truck parked on Main Street to get something. Just as I pulled my head back out of the cab I was approached by the sweetest, most thoroughly beautiful lady I think I’ve ever met, who asked me if I was visiting your town. Her name was Bessie Ann. I didn’t get her last name, but it wasn’t necessary. We were first-name friends immediately. I had a wonderful time. Bessie Ann even told me a story she warned me in advance would probably get her crying. It did, and I have to admit I found myself feeling a bit misty, too. I don’t remember how long Bessie Ann and I chatted. It didn’t matter. Time flew. Finally, my wife came looking for me fearing that I’d been picked up by the sheriff, and when Bessie Ann heard that we were looking at cool houses, she told us to be sure and see her house farther up Main. She said we couldn’t miss it because it was the color of frozen butter. And it was. I’ve seen several houses that same color since then, but none of them looked like they were pale yellow to me. Not anymore. They were the color of frozen butter. During my wife’s and my big adventure to the northwest we kayaked rivers, climbed mountains, and visited old friends, but for me, the highlight of the trip was meeting Bessie Ann. Thank you Bessie Ann for making my day and for having such a wonderful spark inside you. Please give our best to the nice people of Waitsburg.

John Gould and Pauline Masse

Moab, Utah