Coins, Sacrifice and a raging Mega Fire.

Torey

How does one react when everything you have worked for is at risk? I sit here tonight deep in my thoughts, unable to sleep, aircraft flying above with a glowing angry mountain piercing through my office window.

The eyes of defeat leering in my face.

I guess I will start my story at the beginning, to paint a small picture of my life thus far, and to understand where I currently sit.

Early Years
To say I was not born with a silver spoon in my mouth is an understatement. I was born in 1991 in a small town in Montana on the Northern Cheyenne Indian Reservation (Photo above). We rented a small house out of town, my father was a logger and my mother cared for my sister and me. We grew up extremely frugal, but happy. Around Christmas time, the church would drop off a red shoebox with toys in it (Samaritan's Purse), I just figured that was everyone's normal. I would guess we were about the only "white" family in the area but again, I didn't even recognize that at the time. My father worked hard labor-intensive jobs, we had a few major setbacks that would either reset us to zero or in the hole.

I remember my father having a small coin collection that he would bring out maybe once a year. It's hard to remember exactly what was in it but I do remember a few Peace Dollars. July 4th, 1999 we went to the dam with friends and family and when we came back, the house had been robbed and ransacked. My mother's wedding ring, dad's coin collection, and all the money they had saved up were gone.
After that, my parents decided to move to a different town about an hour away. Dad found a slightly better job and my mom got her cosmetology license and worked to open her own shop. Every step they made was out of love for us and they worked their tails off to provide.

Fast forward to 13, Dad got a promotion so we moved yet again. Still renting, my parents had sights to purchase our first real house and I was determined to do my part to help. I rode my bike down to the local hardware store, asked for a job, and was hired on the spot. The owner could only work me so many hours because of my age so I also bought an old mower and started to mow lawns too. One of the lawns I mowed was for an older lady who asked if I could come a few days a week and help her- Molly. Molly had a way about her that just made you smile. She was elegant, smart and witty. I helped her with anything she needed around the house and it sparked a powerful friendship that I greatly needed. Her guidance was wanted and her love was unwavering. I miss her company so very much.

One summer midday a friend of mine invited me to a concert in Billings MT, last minute. I somehow got permission and hopped in with him and his older brother who drove us. As we were standing in line to get our tickets, I bumped into this absolute dynamite gal. I excused myself and her mother struck up a conversation with me. After talking we realized that we were from the same town and we were both enrolled to start driver's ed in a week, small world! Well, driver's ed couldn't come quick enough, I couldn't stop thinking of this girl. I was homeschooled, and she was in public school. I assumed she wouldn't think twice about me but I was wrong, by the end of our classes I bought 2 dozen roses and asked if she would go on a date. She said yes and those summers following were the best days of my life.

That year my parents were able to get a down payment to purchase their first house, it was hard fought coming from nothing and in an area with few good-paying jobs. Shortly after moving in my mother called a family meeting, we had no furniture yet so we sat on the floor. She broke down in tears and said how sorry she was that it took them this long, she was tired of just getting by. She wept and wept and wept, I will never forget that night. I was determined to break this cycle of poverty.

One rainy day pulling into Molly's back driveway, she complained about how rough it was and asked if I knew of anyone who could fix it. The lightbulb in my head volunteered me. After inquiring with my dad about the project, we rented a bobcat and had a load of gravel delivered. Dad spread the gravel and taught me a few things about the bobcat. When we were wrapping up the project this man pulled up in this very nice truck, complimented us on the driveway, and asked if we were interested in a job for a guy he knew. Not knowing what we were getting ourselves into, I said of course! Dad and I hopped in his truck and we took off about 45 miles west.

Frank and Susan
We turned off at this beautiful ranch and worked our way up the road. When we stepped out we were greeted by an older man and his wife. Frank and Susan. Now Frank took us around his property and started off, Susan wants a retaining wall here and here. She wants a walking path going around the house here. She wants to see the horseshoe of the river from the patio so the entire hill will need to be moved, the driveway needs to be 4 times bigger so we can turn around, planters everywhere, and artificial turf the entire backyard. A patio in the front and the back and on top of the hill that you move to get the best view. The only thing I want is a big BIG flagpole. When you are done with that other houses on the ranch need work done. When can you start??

I was absolutely flabbergasted and ultimately embarrassed. This guy thinks we are professionals with a company and all we have done is spread some gravel. I had to break the news to him. I gulped down the lump in my throat and told him that we do not have a company, that we rented a bobcat, have no truck or trailer, and that driveway he heard about was for a friend of mine. I bowed my head low in shame. Frank's response blew me away. Well, if you are here that means you are interested in the work, day 1 always has to start somewhere and that day can be right here if you are willing. I will figure out the equipment. Sound like a plan? I looked over at my dad and to my surprise he said, sounds like a plan Frank. We will start tomorrow.

That night we sat down and talked for hours. We knew deep down that this could be what we were looking for but we were faced with risking everything, a decent-paying job and a new house payment. To leave a comfortable position that you have finally obtained is extremely hard. I can't remember who took the first stand but I do remember all of us coming into agreeance to step out on this leap of faith. We came up with a company name and made a plan.

That morning Dad went to work handed in his 2 weeks' notice, and took the day off. We loaded up our rakes and shovels into our SUV and headed to Franks, kid you not. When we turned down the ranch road, I saw a bright yellow airplane with a blue/white star coming in hot. It was Frank. He landed, put away his plane in the hangar, and drove a side x side up to meet us. I introduced my mom to him and we went inside. Susan had baked us some cookies and took Mom around the house. Frank tapped me on the shoulder and said we have business to discuss, let's go to the office. Frank sat down and asked Dad and me what we needed for this project. I sheepishly told him that I brought my shovel, and rake. That it looks like we need a bobcat and a dozer to start. He said ok, I'll make some calls and get a dozer coming. Frank then handed me, a 14-year-old boy a large check. Use this for operating money and to buy materials. He said we will get you a truck, trailer, and bobcat. You will pay it back as this is not a handout, but rather an opportunity to show what you are made of. I don't have a timeline or interest on this loan, when you are established, pay it back so that Susan and I can continue to plant this seed money. I believe in the young generation, I have a good read on you Torey, show us what you got.

An overwhelming flow of energy rushed through my veins, who was this guy? Why on earth would he risk so much for me? He was talking to me like I was a man and not in a joking sort of way. I was raised not to be a taker of things so this feeling of almost guilt sank in my stomach. "Frank I don't know what to say, I greatly appreciate this but why would you do this for me?" "Well, I invest in people. Not for a return but to give the young overlooked generation a fighting chance."

I did not take this lightly. After thanking them for this opportunity, I shook his hand. I began to glance around his office. It was filled with airplane models and collectibles. Susan and Mom joined us and I asked about some of the pictures.

Susan responded that they were Borman's. Frank was a fighter pilot, an experimental test pilot, a US Astronaut, and Commander of Apollo 8.
I was floored, this man was so down-to-earth that I would have never guessed. I began to ask questions and Frank stayed beyond humble, brushing off any accomplishments. In the center behind his desk was this picture.

I asked him what space was like. He said "When we finally made it and orbited the moon, with all the hustle and bustle, all the time, energy, and sacrifice, all of the training to make it happen, we rounded the crest. When Earth came back into sight all of our focus left the moon, and we realized that Earth is the ultimate treasure. Everything that mattered was there, that this rock in the sky had no life in it and all we could do was look back at where we came from."

Our meeting was so wholesome, it lit a fire in me that still burns to this day. Someone believed in me and I was not about to let this slip through my fingers. Our family went to work, we transformed their ranch over the next 2 years. The most difficult part was stopping Susan from asking us to come inside to take a break, she had a heart of gold and didn't like it when we worked in the sun, rain, wind, or anything for that matter. I politely would reject, grab a cookie, and get more work done. The opportunity allowed me to get closer to my parents, working side by side with my dad (still to this day).

At 16 and nearing the end of the project, Frank and I were driving down by the river, just him and I. I asked him for some advice. I said that I had dated this girl for 2 years and I wanted to ask her to marry me but everyone around me was saying we were way too young to make those decisions. What do you think? He sat quietly for a moment and said he knew her family. He then looked me right in the eyes and asked, "Is she THE one?" Yes, I replied. "Well, you can go your entire life with critics calling your next move, if you let them. If she's the one, she's the one. I wouldn't wait another second."

And we didn't, we were engaged and married shortly after to my perfect match. She joined my side and we continued to landscape yards in the area, learning and growing. We put so much pride into our work that our business began to flourish and we saved up enough to pay Frank back in full. We also were able to get a down payment on our first house. A 1914 craftsman in town. My wife and I went to work on the new "old" house. It needed new everything and one by one we tirelessly replaced the wiring, plumbing, siding, sheetrock, and flooring ourselves. Nothing was left untouched, It was a ton of work!

Coin Collecting
Here's where it shifts to my coin-collecting journey. Being a landscaper in the north, you have to account for 4-6 months of winter. I used that time to work on the house. We were removing the doors to refinish them, and when I took off the skeleton key locks, some cents fell out. They used wheat cents as shims for the locks. I took them to my father-in-law's house and it sent us on a mission to find out more about them. I always loved to read and there was a ton of information out there. I decided to start setting aside money from our business every month to purchase some coins. As time went on the wheat cents turned to large cent purchases and the junk silver turned to graded gold. Once I started to feel more comfortable with grading I started to search for better examples. I took on a complete classic commemorative set. Bought rare old holders and successfully submitted around 75 Gold Cacs. I started several websites, a small consignment site (now closed), and a dedicated toned morgan site that I later sold to an undisclosed dealer, inventory included.

Another tough decision
Landscaping was still going well but it was getting exhausting. The small town we were in could not sustain our growth. That meant traveling for half of the year living in a fifth wheel, and coming back on the weekends to check on the house. My wife and I were also struggling to have a baby, 2 very traumatic miscarriages in our first year of marriage left our chances slim and led to 7 years of negative tests. It wasn't until we accepted the fact that we might never have kids that we found out she was pregnant and it was a boy. I happen to be the only male left with my last name in my family, I was ecstatic. I also knew that raising kids in a fifth wheel was going to be tough, I wanted better for my kids so we decided to move our business to a more prosperous area. We listed our home for sale without knowing exactly where we were going.

After many talks, I finally came to the realization of where I wanted to go. It was about 3 hours away, in the mountains. It's where we loved to go hiking, camping, and fishing with plenty of work opportunities nearby. We could finally work and go home at night instead of traveling.

The Land
Once the house was sold, we moved back into the fifth wheel and headed for the mountains. I had hopes of purchasing something within the month. Boy was I wrong, nearly two and a half years later we still could not find a property. My wife was also pregnant again with our second boy! Finally one fall morning I got a call from a realtor friend. He said this one was not on the market, the guy doesn't like realtors and if i wanted it I was going to have to pay up. (Just great) We came to a dead-end sign on a sharp turn of a back road, in the past my wife and I always turned around at that point. Well, the road kept going, and drove into this truly spectacular valley. Lush, completely private, full of wildlife and so many different types of plants. We absolutely fell in love. After hiking around the property I knew it was going to be out of our budget. When we finally got down to numbers, i thanked the guy and we went back to the fifth wheel, my wife's eyes lit up like a puppy. In the back of my mind, I'm thinking, How on earth can I swing this?? It left no money to even have a house built.

Well in all my years married, my wife never complained. Never questioned anything, was always supportive, and respected what decisions I made. This time she looked at my somber face and said "That is our land. If i have to live in a shack on it i will. I want to raise our family there."

I agreed to his price and terms and we bought it, having no clue how the heck I was going to now provide a house for my family.

The house

Back in the camper we went, living on the land as we worked on rebuilding our house budget. I had my eyes set on building a dream house, something to be proud of. Something to pass down to my kids. I found house plans that I loved (below), paid to have them redrawn to fit our growing family (now 3 healthy boys), and added a 3rd story. It's a 5500 square ft Mountain home and I didn't have the cash for it yet.

I met with builders to get a price, I was told a whopping 4-5 million and 2 years out. OUCH, that wasn't going to happen in the near future.
As I began to draw new scaled-back house plans, my spirits definitely slumped. I tried for several weeks to come up with a plan i was happy with but i just wasn't happy about it. Not in a throwing-a-temper tantrum type of way, but out of disappointment in myself. I had to find a way to make it happen.

I guess i will just have to build it myself.

I started to research absolutely everything related to house construction. I visited job sites and picked a few builders' brains for the do's and don'ts. Watched every video I could, and made a plan to break ground. I did reach out to my bank to explore a loan route, but they were not willing to allow the homeowner to do most of the work. So, I was on my own.

When i put money aside every month to buy coins, I had no idea the amount that I was saving would grow to such a large chunk. When I did start to sell off my collection piece by piece, it was not a pleasant experience dropping them off in the mail. It took years of hard intensive labor making the money to purchase them but ultimately we need a home. I am still a collector at heart. I want to learn more, fine-tune my grading skills, attend shows, and build a legendary collection one day.

** The Build**
Since I have time in the winter, we broke ground in late fall. Not an ideal time to start a project. The challenges we faced on our first winter building were nothing short of horrific. We had record-breaking snowfall and started to hit peak covid prices. The concrete plant went on allocations and we went 5 months with no concrete delivery, this is a concrete ICF house, so it delayed us beyond belief. I shoveled snow off of my subfloor for 4 solid months, I think we crossed well over 200" that year. So many countless hours have been poured into this project. Between working on the house, running a business, selling assets to pay for it, living in a camper, and raising 3 very young boys, my plate was full and still is. I have given up treasures that I swore I would pass down to my kids. I have poured every ounce of effort a man can give into our dream and I am so close to finishing it. It has tested me in so many ways. I dream of the upcoming day when I can finally sit down with my family, in peace knowing that I have provided a good home, in a good safe surrounding.

The Fire
September 27th, a small once-acre fire is reported on the mountain. Nearly 35 miles from me but a couple of miles from one of my current jobs where my equipment is. Everyone assumed it was being handled as we had air support stationed here all summer because of extremely dry conditions.

Fast forward a couple of days and all hell broke loose. We evacuated everything at our job and helped neighbors evacuate. The fire was a few thousand acres.

I woke up at 3 am one morning a few days later, the wind was blowing 60-70 mph in our direction for hours on end. I began to think of the unthinkable. Could it really travel that far to us? I anxiously awaited the update that morning. What I read confirmed my fears, the fire was now over 75,000 acres, they lost several homes, and it's moving dead south right for us. They issued us a pre-evacuation.

We got to work hauling our equipment and belongings to safety, made sure our neighbors were prepared and now we wait. Wait for the evacuation order to leave everything we have worked so hard for behind. The glow of the mountain intensifies as each beautiful acre is engulfed, closer and closer. I pray by some miracle we are spared. My heart is heavy, my mind confused and my soul aches. Back at zero wasn't a part of the plan.

AlanSki

Seems like you have decent ground clearance from the vantage point on the second to last photo. If it’s still that far away find a dozer and hire someone to make some fire lines around your home. You can also pre-spray your home with fire gel and cover up attic vents to prevent embers from sneaking their way into the attic.

I lived through this 90k+ acre wildfire in 2003 and finally left when my front yard was on fire.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Fire

PeakRarities

Wow, that is one hell of an origin story, thank you for sharing.

The road to happiness is paved with adversity. You've overcome every obstacle life has put in your path. No handouts, no trust fund, just elbow grease and tenacity. When the dust settles and the smoke clears (quite literally), you will still be standing tall, health intact, beautiful family safe and sound. I have no doubt about that, based on what you've told us.

I would echo @AlanSki's comment that if its possible, you should continue to try to preparre the house to withstand the fires. If theres any machinery there, make sure theres no plants or trees within a radius, possibly move some earth around to direct the fire away from your house. After i read this post, I started wondering if anyone had started to produce a house-sized fire blanket. Did a bit of surfing and came across this website. I'd get on the phone wityh any company that might be able to help, have them overnight one of the shields to you. Seal up your house as best as you can, all the ridge vents and any other opening or utility line penetration. If you still have time, of course.

https://www.firezat.com/products

Looks like there was an update yesterday, 86,000 acres and 28% containment. How far are the fires from your home now?

M4Madness

I read every word of your story and thoroughly enjoyed it. Growing up in the 70's with three siblings and a divorced mother in government housing with food stamps has taught me values that I probably never would have learned had I been born into a wealthy family. I've worked in the same industry for 36 years now, and until I had to quarantine for Covid (minor symptoms), I'd worked 25 years without missing a day of work. My wife and I don't have a lot -- a modest home on a rural hilltop with a magnificent view of a valley. Many people on this very site have spent more on a single coin than what I paid for my home.

I don't really have any advice to give other than to trust God and hang in there! I know it's a fearful time, but I'm positive after reading your tale that you'll come out of this better than before. May God bless you and your family.

Meltdown

That's a hell of story, thanks for taking the time to tell it. Wishing you & your family the best outcome possible on this fire scare!

littlebear

Prayers for you. May you get out of this unscathed!

CRHer700

I will be praying for you Torey. That feeling that you get when everything you have might be destroyed..... no words can describe it.

pcgscacgold

Best of luck. Congrats on the build.

From the time I was 10 to about 15 I helped my dad build our house. It was his dream house. Much more house than could be afforded if built by someone else. Many Saturdays were spent at a local HS running rough Oak through the planer and jointer. We made all the leaded glass china cabinets in the family room and dinning room. Planed all the oak for the flooring. I understand the countless hours you have invested.

I only wish I could have afforded the house when it was time to sell (after he passed).

johnny010

@AlanSki said:
Seems like you have decent ground clearance from the vantage point on the second to last photo. If it’s still that far away find a dozer and hire someone to make some fire lines around your home. You can also pre-spray your home with fire gel and cover up attic vents to prevent embers from sneaking their way into the attic.

I lived through this 90k+ acre wildfire in 2003 and finally left when my front yard was on fire.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Old_Fire

Good advice

Torey

Fire line has been dozed. Installed a roof-saver sprinkler system. Soaking the property as far out as possible. I will continue to fight. As of this morning, it is at 89k acres. We have our first thread of hope, moisture is coming in 4-5 days if we can hold out.

Thank you for your thoughts.

jesbroken

You and your family are in our prayers, Torey. Hang in there. We wish you best of luck and thank you for a most wonderful, heart warming story, which many have had similar feelings if not incidents.
Jim

JBK

@Torey said:
Fire line has been dozed. Installed a roof-saver sprinkler system. Soaking the property as far out as possible. I will continue to fight. As of this morning, it is at 89k acres. We have our first thread of hope, moisture is coming in 4-5 days if we can hold out.

Thank you for your thoughts.

Those fires are terrible catastrophies, and people do not often have the time or the resources to take effective action, assuming there is any.

You seem to be in good shape compared to a lot of others, no doubt. If I had to bet, my money would be on you, not the fire.

Hopefully this experience will just end up as another paragraph in your story.

mattniss

Sending hope and strength for you all to persevere.

olah_in_MA

thank you for sharing your story, it brought tears to my eyes. good luck

LukeMarshall

^
Indeed, this is a story of human tenacity and quite inspirational as well.

I am proud of the work you and your folks did and appreciate the accomplishments youve shared.

I hope the fire spares your home but it sounds like as long as you are safe through the ordeal, you will always have the tenacity to succeed.

Barberian

Good luck!

Coinscratch

I hope and pray that you and your family dream are spared but if not you still have what is most important.
Ask yourself, what would Frank do?

SanctionII

Best wishes to you and your family as you deal with the fire that threatens your property and home.

I read your opening post; and can only say that you likely have accomplished more since 1991 than most persons accomplish in a life time.

Hard work, self reliance, determination and family orientation all combine to place you into a position that many people could only dream about. Kudos to you and your family.

Mr_Spud

I hope the fire doesn’t get your house, amazing story!

Morgan13

Fight it brother fight like hell.

SurfinxHI

man, I hope you can fight it all off. Hold on, hold tight, water like heck!

Walkerfan

Prayers going out to you!

I hope you overcome this calamity!

SeattleSlammer

Best wishes that the fire heads a different direction!….add an update when you can. ………. and on the coin side, great pieces! ….. that fatty NGC gold CAC proof Barber .25 needs to be in my box. ⭐️

cptbilly

What a remarkable story. Thank you for sharing it.

Torey

Thank you all for the advice and tips. I looked into and implemented them, and thanks to those who sent PMs with a word of support. The dozer line above the valley held long enough for the rain to start. We are expecting it to turn to snow this evening, I have never been so relieved!!!! While the fire is not out yet, it should help the efforts immensely.

My heart goes out to the others who weren't so lucky. While most of the houses were saved, their beautiful land will never be the same in their lifetime.

Hopefully, after I round the bend and finish the house I will have some new purchases to share. Until then, I'll learn what I can.

Torey

Barberian

@Torey said:
Thank you all for the advice and tips. I looked into and implemented them, and thanks to those who sent PMs with a word of support. The dozer line above the valley held long enough for the rain to start. We are expecting it to turn to snow this evening, I have never been so relieved!!!! While the fire is not out yet, it should help the efforts immensely.

My heart goes out to the others who weren't so lucky. While most of the houses were saved, their beautiful land will never be the same in their lifetime.

Hopefully, after I round the bend and finish the house I will have some new purchases to share. Until then, I'll learn what I can.

Torey

That just made my day! I'm very relieved and happy for you.

jedm

This has got to be one of the best posts I've read here in years! What an interesting, heartwarming story you tell. I am glad to know that the rain began and you're feeling relieved.

nwcoast

Wow!!
What a great and inspirational family history and a huge relief there with your recent update.
I’m blown away and speechless.
Thank you for sharing this!

SanctionII

Bodin

Give the man a privy mark for the happy ending and wonderful story.

WiscKau

Glad all is well!

Loved your journey.

Please let me know when any NGC graded early commemoratives are for sale.

1northcoin

When I read the opening comment about a distant glow I assumed you were in the path of a volcano. Ironically where I live we are currently under a volcano alert but if it goes off (as it has several time in my lifetime) we can expect an ash covering but thankfully distant enough not to face Mt. Saint Helens type of destruction.

Of course each evening the continuing news of the devastation from the recent hurricanes reminds of how transitory life can be. And for those in another corner of my state mudslides have taken their toll.

Thanks for sharing and may the recent good news continue.

pcgscacgold

Glad to hear things have worked out. I was in Jasper, Canada in June 2024. Three weeks later 40% of all buildings in the city burned to the ground. A beautiful area in Canada just leveled. Even more were destroyed by water damage. Thoughts go out to all those battling forest fires.

divecchia

What a great story of grit and determination all the way through.

I am happy for you and your family and relieved that your home in progress has survived.

Wishing you and your family all the best!!!

Donato