Rainy Day Hole up at the Monk King Bird Pottery
The Wyoming wind blew the snot from my nose in to my eye and I steered the mules for the sign that looked mis-spelled: “Monk King Bird Pottery”. I blamed the snot but sure enough, there was an “N” in the name where I would have expected a “C”.
Pulled the mules to a halt in front of the storefront. Out of the wind I wiped the snotty tear from my eye and stared. No motion. Then, from a recliner, a body rising. That’s how I met Byron Seeley, owner of the Monk King Bird.
Hanging out at the Monk King Bird
Byron owns the Monk King Bird Pottery. The first thing he said after introducing himself was, “I’m kinda sore right now because my dog ran away today. They found him over at the school and brought him back. First time he’s run away in months. That’s why he’s on the zip line. I hate to tie him but he can’t run away like that. He’ll get hit on the highway.
I asked him what the dog’s name was. He said, “Right now it’s Mud. His real name is Floyd but I’m pissed off at him right now for running off.”
Byron said it was okay if I tied the mules out behind the pottery for the night.
Introductions over, Byron gave me a tour of his studio.
In to the Monk King Bird
Byron grew up west of here in Big Piney. He worked cattle with his family before heading out to Taos, New Mexico then swinging back to Caper, Wyoming. Over a decade ago, he bought a gas station in Jeffry City and converted it in to the pottery.
Here’s a look inside.
A Place to Weather the Rain
Last night the rains washed the stars from the sky. I took shelter in a cabin surrounded by Byron’s collection of vintage campers. I woke to a soggy scene of dripping sage brush and muck. My boots are leaking. My bedding is damp. Some days the best thing to do is nothing.
So the mules are getting a day off. Tomorrow morning, under hopefully dryer skies, the mules and I head toward Sweetwater Junction.
Jeffrey City Thanks
Deep in dust and sage of eastern Wyoming, the mules and I are more dependent then ever before for folks we meet along the way. Thanks to:
- Byron of the Monking Bird Pottery: for putting the mules and me up through this patch of wet weather
- Isabel, Lisa and Bill at the Split Rock Cafe and Bar: for the beer, eggs and wi-fi
- Eddie at the Split Rock Cafe and Bar: for telling me so it was going to rain in time for me to crawl in to one of Byron’s cabins
- Lynn and NaNa: for the roadside cherry and nut chocolate bar
- LeRoy: for teaching my how to say “see you later” in Navajo – “a-con-a”
Get A Free Copy of my Photo Book “Nineteen Million Mule Steps”
I’d love to give you a free copy of my new 134-page photo book “19 Million Mule Steps”. The book is about my 7 month, 2,300 mile Long Ride from North Carolina to Idaho with my mules Brick and Cracker. Yes, there’s a photo of Byron in it!
Howdy, I found a lovely piece of pottery in a two tone blue with a flower on top and braided handles. I was wondering what the value of this item is?
Hi, Sorry I can’t help you figure out the value of your pottery. Sounds like you’re enjoying it plenty without knowing how many dollars it’s worth. That’s worth a lot! Have a great day. Bernie
If we are unable to travel to Wyoming – are we able to order something online?
I’ll be on my way back through to Denver from the Oregon Country Fair and now I’m on a slight pilgrimage for my boyfriend who remembers your art from some time ago.
Hi Pollyanna, Great to hear from you. I don’t have Byron’s phone or email number. You can always write him a note to ask him how to order his pottery. It’s: Monk King Bird Pottery, 2500-3832 WY-789, Jeffrey City, WY 82310. Byron has some great stuff and I really enjoyed spending time with him. He also features in my upcoming “Trash to Triumph” book. (Click here to sign up for the newsletter to hear when it comes out.). Have a great trip to the Fair! Bernie
I wish I had bought more of his mugs, I can’t find them on internet. Looks like i need to return to Wy. His ceramics are unique and beautiful.
Hi Nicole. Yeah, looks like you have a trip to Monk King Bird Pottery (I love the “Monk” spelling) in your future! I remember Byron saying he headed out some winters to warmer climes like Arizona. His pottery was really cool and I enjoyed him showing me how he made it (though, alas, we didn’t fire a rifle at any of his “shot” shot glasses). All the best tracking down one of his mugs. That’s one of the magical things that makes his work so special – and frustrating. You just can’t get it anywhere, any time. Happy Mug Hunting! Bernie
Hi Byron! In 2015, my husband and I were on a road trip in the area and came by youre Monk King Bird stop. we had a great time chatting with you and seeing your facility. We left with an awesome pitcher, and it’s always a conversation starter when we serve drinks in it!
I’m curious… do you make “butter bells”? I am in the market for one, but want to support independent artists before going to a big box store. Also, do you offer shipping? I’d love to know more! Thanks!!
I live in Riverton, I must have drove past this 100 times on my rock trips, but never stopped, then my boss mentioned it on our office call this morning, so I thought I would google it. That is when I came upon your story. I am going to have to stop in the next time I go through Jeffrey City.
Hi Nancy,
Great hearing from you!
By all means drop by the Monk King Bird pottery. Very groovy place.
When you stop by, make sure you tell Byron I made it to Idaho and back to North Carolina before the snow got too deep!
Happy adventuring,
Bernie
[…] the mules and I spent the night at the Monk King Bird Pottery in Jeffrey, Wyoming. I asked owner Byron Seeley how the pottery got its […]
Interesting pottery interesting man
I’m so glad you made it to Byron’s studio, Bernie!! Isn’t he cool? He lived in Casper for a while and his pottery is famous. I have a couple of awesome pots by him that I treasure. After we left you, I was kicking myself for not suggesting you stop by Monk King Bird Pottery. I’m so glad you found the coolest dude on that lonely road. It was so great to meet you, Brick, and Cracker. Lynn and I talked about you all day. We saw about 60 or 70 wild horses in the Red Desert south of Jeffrey City and had a fantastic day. Thanks for being a part of it! We wish you the best of luck on your travels & hope to meet again someday.
Hi NaNa. Great hearing from you. Yeah, I really enjoyed my visit with Byron. I’m now the proud owner of one of his shot shotglasses. Tucked away in my saddle bag in case of emergency.
What a wonderful road side visit we had. The bar of chocolate disappeared, as predicted, before the top of the hill where we met. I may have seen sugar buzz induced stars but none looked like wild horses, despite my best visualization attempts. Oh well…
Give Lynn a big howdy from me!
Bernie
Great tale! What a face he has, Byron…
I always thought “Your name is mud” was a quaint figure of speech encountered mainly in Johnny Cash songs and films with Clint Eastwood in a stetson. So I learned something!
C
Funny you mention Clint Eastwood. He figures in the follow up story about the Monk King Bird pottery. As to Mud, he’s back to Floyd. Hey, that’s gotta a country ring to it. About a dog that cleans up his act to get in to a Johnny Cash song…