Have you been Bailey’d Out?
Mike Bailey Enjoying a Frybake Special at the Leadership Week Wisperlite cook-off
He wears many hats (other than that Scotch cap above): builder, horse packer, top-notch NOLS field instructor, caver extraordinaire, NOLS Three Peaks Ranch Manager, NASCAR enthusiast, a Lander local, a friend, and more. He has finely chiseled features and oozes machismo, but he is a fine example of the Salt of the earth – the Real McCoy (and ladies, he’s available!). He builds mansions, but he lives a Spartan life (except for that flat screen t.v. a bunch of friends bought him a few years ago). He’ll lend you firearms, tools, and books at the drop of a hat, no questions asked. And my guess is that he would give you the shirt off his back if you asked for it.
I’m talking about none other than Mike Bailey. Mike took a Wind River Wilderness course back in ’82, and has been involved with NOLS ever since. He won’t admit it, but he’s as NOLSie as it gets.
Mike was the first person I met in Lander. When my husband and I stumbled into the local watering hole after a long drive from California, looking tired, lost, and befuddled, he turned around, patted the barstool next to him, and said “Sit down. You’re in the right place.” That was five years ago, and he was right. If Mike hadn’t said that, maybe I wouldn’t be here now. That was the first time I got Bailey’d out.
But the reason I’m blogging about Mike now is that I’m not the only one he has Bailey’d out, time and time again. Plus, a blog about Mike is LONG overdue.
To many, Mike Bailey is a knight in shining Carhartts®. Is your car stuck in a snow embankment? Bailey will pull you out. Snowed in again? Bailey will show up in the morning and plow your driveway, even if you haven’t even called him. Moving? Bailey will show up with his flat bed trailer. Vehicle kaput? Mike will tow it in his flat bed, even across state lines. Want to see some fireworks? Bailey has his bucket truck ready to go every July 4. Hungry? Bailey will cook up some Lit’l Smokies® for you. Frozen water pipes, misfiring furnace, broken down water heater? Bailey will fix it all. Back seized up in the wee hours of the night? Call Bailey, and he’ll come pry you out of bed. Bedeviled by the improbable button control combinations on your snappy, sporty and oh-so-confusing sports watch? Bailey will figure it out. Need to get every piece of meat off that Thanksgiving turkey? Bailey’s a whiz with that carving knife. No plans on Superbowl Sunday? Head over to his place, where you can watch all the action on at least 3 big-screen t.v.’s and sit on bleachers . . . in his living room.
And all Bailey asks in return is a six pack of Coors®
and your company.
If you are in trouble, take a deep breath and just wait. Soon enough, you’ll hear the trademark sound of that Dodge Dually diesel, and you will see Mike cresting over the hill, with his faithful dog Griz barking away. And when you do, you’ll know that everything will be okay.
Here’s to you, Mike Bailey!
