Having chewed on the idea of developing a show around restoring historic properties for several months, it was time to get either get something started or get off the proverbial “pot”.  I did a bit of  reconnaissance work on a trip to the valley in the summer of 2021 and then again in the fall that year.  Not only did I look at the Wagon Wheel very closely trying to identify any show-stoppers, but I also drove around throughout the region looking for other properties that could be potential targets for show episodes.  There appeared to be more than enough cabins just in the Wet Mountain Valley for a single season of episodes.

On that premise, I sat down and began formulating a plan.  Very basic.  Very simple.  The idea was “take it one step at a time.” I knew who to start with and what the first step questions needed to be.  Writing in a journal I had started keeping dealing with the idea of restoring the Wagon Wheel, I sketched out this plan:

Take it one step at a time. If its meant to be, God will keep you moving forward.

•   Step 1: Discuss the concept with someone with experience… Deborah Mash, television producer.  (BTW that is Mash not Nash, no relation to me other than we have known each other since we were little kids at church)
•   Step 2: Get an estimate on the cost for a pilot episode and an estimate for restoring the Wagon Wheel.
•   Step 3: Find a general contractor to work with.
•   Step 4: Get the video production team and GC on board.
•   Step 5: Find the funding to pay for the pilot project.
•   Step 6: Do the work / Shoot the episode.
•   Step 7: Sell it to a cable network.

 I thought at the time that it didn’t look that daunting of a project.  I just had no idea how long it would take to get the pieces to fall into place. 

I attacked Step 1 not knowing if this could really work or not.  It was still at the “idea” stage.  I set up a lunch appointment with Debbie Mash (sorry Deborah, you will always be Debbie to me).  I thought it might be a really bad idea and that God was sending me a message when Debbie didn’t show up for our meeting.  But after waiting at the restaurant for 30 minutes, I got a call from her.  She was waiting on me at another restaurant.  Clearing up the confusion, we did connect and it was so promising.

Deborah (okay, I’ll use your professional name) loved the idea.  She even added to it.  Where I was thinking include a trip up to the mine that brought all the families together back in the 1920s  – 1940s, that are now a part of the Wagon Wheel history,  Deborah said “Add a high adventure component to the show.  Tell the history of the property.  Show how restoring it adds to the family legacy.  And, add a high adventure / tourism segment to each episode.”

In closing, I asked Deborah “So… What do you think?”

Her reply….. “You need to do this.“