Acknowledgements  

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This book would not be possible without some very generous help from numerous people along the way. Any time an author puts their thoughts into print, tremendous personal risk and exposure results. Writers are known for their neurosis and self doubt. Is telling your story an act of courage or is it merely an exercise in self motivated ego massage? Is the writing good, average or below average? Can an author get outside of their head, experiences, or background long enough to have a hell’s chance at finding objectivity, much less conveying their journey to a reader who may not have considered or been down such a path?

I doubt any of this would have happened were it not for the following people who have supported these stories in one way or another. Whether providing technical assistance, editing, feedback, or just offering literary advice, as much as these are my words, they represent a collective effort. And because this is a collective effort, I would like to acknowledge those who have made it all possible to share these stories.

I’d like to thank some of the people along the way who helped put this project together. I owe enormous gratitude to: John Boril, my trusted friend who has done much of the editing, been a true sounding board and as we’ve tried to get things just right, he’s made me a better writer. My friend Robert Allen has also given me enormous feedback and support, spending a significant amount of time pondering each draft. Publisher Bill Swigart, photographer Perry Wales, and Editor Jenny Peterson-these are the folks who first got me writing in the late 80’s and later Jeff Herman and Robert Maier who provided the initial encouragement to get me writing again after ten years on the road.

Thanks to David Knudsen the former webmaster and creator of ruralgay.com, who allowed me to write my own ticket and who first hosted my work. I will always be grateful. Wolf Mirasol, who also gave me enormous encouragement and provided a second outlet for my work on crotalus.com and eventually on highmountainranch.com. Both men are heroic in my book.

Others who have been there in a big way at one point or another on this journey are Marty Demarest, David Gilmore, Debrah Sequeira, Jay Blotcher, Nikos Valence, Michelangelo Signorile, Tim Curran, Andy Reilly, John McMullen, Harry Rudolphs, Rebecca Lomax, and Jill Dunn. I’d especially like to thank webmaster and host Matt at Crotalus.com; webmasters Rick Carlisle, Will MacHugh, and Patricia Hampton; and Brad Smith who stood by me through one of the most difficult times in my life.

A special thank you goes to Adam Chromy at Artists and Artisans Inc who has been so much more than a literary agent but also a patient, moral, and guiding force in my writing career.

Endless gratitude is extended to my trucker and cowboys friends who deserve extra marks in heaven for putting up with the nuances of a writer, forgiving the neurosis, and standing by my side through the rollercoaster ride that this creativity thing can be. Kevin Driscoe, Kevin Kobow, Clayton Kormos, Darcy Smith, John Sutherland, Jeff Nielson, Jeff Wherrett, Mike Wagy, Paul Mahre, Jeanette Hill, Paula Hendrickson, Jeff Dobisch, Rick Maynard, Laura and Danny Oryshchn, Shelly Nolander, Steve Montecucco, Dianne Funk, Bob Peth, Chase Hendricks, Lane Berendt, Debbie Brazda, Greggory Hughes, Thom Davis, John Ehrhardt, Truckers Alex, Jerry, Perry, and Paula, Mike Swim, Kevin Overbay Baker, Mark Lowe, Cousin Donna, Stacy Swim, the entire South and Wootan Clans and especially Peter Campbell.

I’d like to also acknowledge my family, who’ve for whatever reason, held off on the libel suits. At least for now. There is that one untold story though…

Lastly I am humbled by all the fans of these stories. Standing by me through thick and thin, the tens of thousands of readers who’ve spent an evening on the site and who’ve written letters and emailed-those thoughts mean more than I can say. I’d also like to say thanks to the listeners who first found me on the radio dial and who have written to me about those programs. Thank you for your support, your benefit of the doubt, and your encouragement.

This collection of my work is forever dedicated

to the memory of my grandfather Orin Lopeman

and to the man who helped me finally get a grip on being gay,

Steve Abeyta.

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