Chapter 5 of Where Eagles Fly
Rebecca Manley
A.J. Johnson was buried in the Moab cemetery next to his sister, just south of town, not too many miles from the Hole N" the Rock, a piece of land, a southern Utah landmark, that has been photographed over and over again by curious tourists, who were en route west to Salt Lake City or south to Mounument Valley, or to other sight-seeing adventures like the Four Corners area, where you can stand in one spot and be in Arizona, Utah, Colorado and New Mexico.
Rebecca Trumbo would visit A.J. on occasion, bringing flowers and placing them gently at the base of A.J.'s black headstone with the white lettering. Jimmy would also have his special moments there.
Both loved A.J. Jimmy cherished their lifelong partnership, albeit for only a wonderful eight years. It seemed more like decades for all they had accomplished in such a short time. Rebecca had her own special reason for honoring A.J. Johnson.
A.J. was simply Cupid in her mind. Of course, she would often call him Mr. Grizzley; he was close to being the Roman god of love with a bow and arrow slung over his shoulder.
There was more to the story.
Rebecca was not just a photographer; she was also comfortable on a horse when she wasn't behind a camera. She was a barrel racer. An outstanding barrel racer.
One Sunday afternoon in Sterling, Colorado, she not only finished in the money but won it all as her horse, Belle, galloped with Rebecca aboard to a first-place finish, while minutes later the Trumbo Kid was battling to stay atop a bronc called the Black Thunder. He wasn't going to win the battle, at least on this day.
But there was still a celebration of sorts for A.J. and Jimmy as they finished second in the calf roping event.
"Congratulations, young lady,' said A.J.
'Good morning,' Rebecca countered with a smile. "What do we have here?'
'Oh, I'm harmless, but my partner could use a boost in confidence. You just raced to a win, and he just hit the ground hard. The bronc busted him today. He's kind of down in the dumps, and we could use a winner at our table to lighten things up.'
'Now, that's a line I haven't heard before...but I'm kind of hungry.'
'Well, there you go. I'm A.J. Johnson from Moab.'
'From Moab. I'm from Moab! My name is Rebecca Manley.'
'Oh, yes. I've seen your name in the Moab Independent many times. Do you ever lose a race?'
'Of course, but I try to win more than I lose. A lot depends on Belle,' as she points to her trailer parked outside the restaurant window. Belle's been fed. She's a happy camper right now. I wish I could say the same.'
'Well, come on over, let's remedy that situation, and you can meet my partner Jimmy Trumbo.'
'Trumbo! I know that name.'
'Yep, if you're from Moab, chances are you either know him or have heard about him.'
Jimmy stood up as Rebecca accepted A.J.'s invitation.
Suddenly, the Trumbo Kid forgot about Black Thunder...and horses altogether. Birds, mountain lions, and bears as well.
That was all it took. A.J. had done his job.
*****
The courtship between Rebecca and Jimmy took a back seat at times as the two worked to build their accomplishments one after another. In the spring of 1980, the Double J was sold, Maria and Manny settled in Green River, and continued to blossom with Maria II, as Maria's home cooking turned nationally known, while Manny turned to his real love, football, and went on to Utah State and became a star running back.
As for Jimmy and Rebecca, they were just getting started. The two 30-somethings -- and just barely -- were on the move, and everybody in Moab was watching. The Jimmy Trumbo story was just getting started.
*****
By the mid-1980s, it was evident that what Jimmy Trumbo had helped create was becoming too much. There was very little time to chase after the bald eagles. Suddenly, parking spaces for locals began to disappear, and more motels appeared; the once comfortable spot to enjoy biscuits and gravy was slowly transformed into establishments serving entrees never seen before by local residents.
Jimmy had already downsized and cut and run from most of his businesses, from Green River to the old ranchhouse to old Charlie's bunkhouse. Those days of relaxation, a good Zane Grey book, and a nice little fire seemed like something from an old John Wayne movie.
Was it his fault? Only two decades had passed since Hollywood actors walked around town as free as a bird to mingle with the locals. Yes, times were changing. The Canyons were still there, but soon to be overrun like ants trying to scurry away from an overgrown ant hill.
Yes, Jimmy had his money in the bank. Money was not the problem for Jimmy, Rebecca, or their twin daughters, who were born in the spring of 1986. Jimmy held on to his Outriggers store and bought the gas station next to it. He found a four-acre property with a modest four-bedroom home north of Mill Creek Road and moved his family into it.
He wasn't leaving the Canyonlands, whether it was his fault or not.
He sat back in his recliner and took a deep breath with his daughters on his lap and his wife at his side. He would find a way to be with the eagles. He would make sure his family would do the same.
*****
The years continued to fly by. The 1990s blew by, and the turn of the century followed. Then came 9/11, followed by political turmoil and unrest nationwide. Still, the Colorado River continued to run, and millions would converge on the little town of Moab every spring, every summer, and in the fall. By 2005, the Trumbo girls, Betsy and Elizabeth, would accept scholarships to the University of Wyoming, majoring in Animal Sciences, following closely in their mother's footsteps.
They would graduate and return home, becoming an integral part of the community and, like their father, continuing to search for the eagles and to focus on the environment.
Jimmy slowed down and concentrated on his businesses—the outrigger store and the gas station that ran continuously, 24 hours a day. He always seemed to be in the right place at the right time. Rebecca would continue to board her own horses, along with a select few clients, while also teaching young women who showed an interest in her favorite sport, barrel racing.
The Trumbos had it going. Jimmy Trumbo was right where he should be. In his heart, he was that same young man who got off the bus in 1967 and ran into A.J. Johnson.
Up next: the year 2025 and the final chapter.
