Buffalo Joe

We met Joe in Moss Point (Pascagoula) Mississippiiiiii. Joseph Gray Stephens was raised in the D.C. area by a very conservative military family. He was, for a while the black sheep of the family as both his brothers attended theNaval Academy. He tried college at Stetson U. in central Florida for a year or so but found it unexciting, and became a 60's hippy instead. (Now one of his brothers lives a rather eclectic life as an aspiring musician and music store owner in Aspen--so Joe's now not the only black sheep) Drugs, alcohol, free love and the anti-war movement were his life for several years. He eventually found his way to Leadville, Colorado where he worked in the molybdenum (sp?) mine until he earned enough to make the back payments on his truck. He started crewing on river raft rides and eventually found his way to the Colorado River and the Grand Canyon where he made 33 raft and kayak and motor raft trips down the gorge--for other people and eventually for his own company, Buffalo Joe River Trips (Headquartered on the Arkansas River out of Buena Vista, Colorado.) He sold that company in 1986 after 9 years, spent a winter windsurfing Baja, went to work at Tubac Golf resort in Arizona and apprenticed as a golf pro and eventually got his PGA card. He worked as golf pro for several years in the US and Mexico and taught golf in Palm Springs for 3 years. He then moved to N.C. and did 3 years of fraternity and sorority composite photography. This was seasonal and allowed him to crew on Cap't Ron's boat in the Western Carribbean, where he fell in love with the sailing life. He then spent 4 months in the transportation department driving people around McMurdo Station in the Ross Sea, Antarctica. (Where he will return soon as director of transportation)He then tried his hand at running a water garden emporium with his step dad back in N.C. and then ran a landscape business back in N.C.

He bought his Hurricane Ike damaged boat (Tatonka) in March of 2010. This is about when his girl, Karin, of 21/2 years decided that there were better things to do with her time than work on a boat and sought greener pastures. He's been sailing ever since. He is currently tied up in a marina in Key West.

Joe is a Liberal. He voted for Obama and still is dillusional enough to think he's great. After a great deal of discussion, however, we have both decided that we are not Liberal or Conservative or even Progressive---We are "Regressive"--We both like things the way they used to be.

Joe never met a stranger.You can imagine how entertaining he is with the incredible diversity of his background and experience. Did I mention that he is also a professional musician---in a way-- He carries his mandolin and guitar everywhere and hooks up with bar bar bands every where he goes. He didn't have them with him on the trip so I haven't heard him play. He is, despite his "liberal politics", a most delightful person to talk with and explore the humorous side of life, love and politics. We will never forget Buffalo Joe and also know that this is not the last we'll see of him. I believe we have initiated a life-long relationship with a most interesting person and look forward to running into him on down the road. I also look forward to the opportunity to pick guitar with him somewhere along the way.

Joe is a unique person--the kind of good heart coupled with a fine mind and an outlook on life that I admire more than I can express. We couldn't have made the trip across without his help, and so appreciate his willingness to go out of his way to help us. None of this would have happened if Diane hadn't taken an immediate liking and attraction to him in Moss Point (You know how I am --a bit standoffish--takes me a bit longer to establish a relationship with anyone--especially someone you meet in a bar in Moss Point, Miss.)

So, as we sit here in Clearwater, in the rain, I type, Diane reads and Joe gets ready to leave us for his next adventure and his next new friend. He's off for 4 days of golf somewhere in Florida. We will miss him, his wit and repartee and his infectious personality.

Good Luck, Buffalo Joe !!