It seems like too much of a title for this, but it is something I’ve wanted for years. It sounds like it should be accompanied by Disney music and a princess in a long dress, with perhaps singing birds and giggling mice doing the housework. We all have dreams and I just bought mine.
Let me tell you a little backstory… Years ago, I had a friend from Girl Scouts, not as girlies, but as adults who volunteered in leadership positions… S. and I had great times together leading girls on various adventures… Well, one day, she and her spouse and kids left Wyoming and went to Africa to teach missionaries’ kids at boarding school. It was to be a great adventure for the next years of their lives. Before she left, S. asked me to “babysit” one of her prize possessions. Most of their belongings had to be left behind. She was requesting care for a buffalo robe! I’ve wanted one for years, whether it was my Choctaw blood, or all those history books I’d read, or loving my dad’s seal hides from Alaska or my pink (!) sheepskin I had on my bed as a child…
A buffalo robe? The tremendously heavy hide of a bison? Yes, I definitely would watch after it. It was on my bed in freezing winter. It spent many a summer night warming me on my trampoline while I watched for shooting stars and satellites with my kids. I hauled it to schools and demonstrations and let kids “wear” it and try to lift it. It was on my floor and on my couch and on my bed, rotating through the seasons. I tried to buy it from S. It was too sentimental for her to part with.
After years and years, S. and her family returned to the States for good and, yes, she returned for her buffalo robe. I made one last attempt at buying it, but S. wasn’t interested. I spent more than a few cold winter’s nights wishing I had it back. I missed it when I woke up on the trampoline covered in morning dew.
Then, the other day… we drove through Thermopolis. I made a comment about “now’s my chance” and Vernon whipped the car around and took me here.

Merlin’s Hideout. Gorgeous hides of all kinds. Great work, nice people… and hanging in the corner, was my Dream. I breathed in. I ran my fingers through the fur. I admired the sun bleached hair on the hump. I don’t know what it is, but for me, that robe is a tranquilizer. I could curl up on it and fall asleep in no time. It speaks to me of prairies and tipis and covered wagons and soddies. I just spent all day by buffalo wallows on the mountain. I see their ancient trails on the hills around me. It just feels right. I closed my eyes and said “yes”. After many many many years, I had my own buffalo robe.
Tears welled up and I thanked Merlin’s Hideout for making my dream come true.

How wonderful that your dream has come true. It looks truly stunning on your bed. You can look forward to a cosy warm bed this coming winter.
What a wonderful way to keep warm on cold nights. You have so many great, nostalgic stories. Thank you for this blog and for sharing.
Gorgeous and wonderful!!
Wonderful story…and what a beautiful and useful treasure!
Fantastic! Ours is on the floor. I’ve become enamored with the bison since one of Dany’s clients is the Antlers Ranch on the Wood River. Our home now resembles Merlins as Sam May has gifted us items of the bison. Give me a jingle if you want to get up close and personal during pregging or bull testing. I’m so happy for you!
What wonderful story! I’m so happy for you and know it is a real treasure.
Carol It is beautiful!and so is your dress hanging! I love your history and being taken back in time Thanks for sharing! So happy your dream came true!