Bonnie Crysdale is a geologist by trade and lover of small towns by life’s journey. She and her husband, Mike, have lived in Moab for 10 years and appreciate the friendliness and abundance of activities the town has to offer. As a gal about town, you might find Bonnie walking downtown for a cup of coffee, creating a quilt (she’s a past president and current secretary of the Delicate Stitcher’s Quilt Guild and works part-time at It’s Sew Moab) or volunteering at the upcoming Moab Folk Festival. She says she’s “lazy” in retirement – we beg to differ, Bonnie.
1) What initially brought you to Moab?
Canyoneering, rafting and hiking with our friends, who lived out here.
2) What do you love most about living in Moab?
The small-town atmosphere and the friendliness of the people.
3) What do you dislike about living in Moab?
It’s a long way from any major shopping.
4) What is your occupation?
I was a geologist in my previous life – I worked for the United States Geological Survey in Denver. Now, I work at It’s Sew Moab part-time, teach quilting classes and quilt for others.
5) If you could have any job in the world, what would you most like to do?
I’m having a great time doing what I’m doing, can’t picture myself in any other job situation.
6) Describe a typical day in your life.
We walk downtown for breakfast and/or to pick up a newspaper. I hike up to the Moab Rim a few days a week (trying to stay in shape). I often meet friends for lunch if I’m not working. I work on quilts at home, or work in the house or yard. (We’ve gotten lazy since we retired!) We eat dinner and often walk back downtown for a cup of coffee in the evening. We don’t have television, so that frees up a lot of time to do other things.
7) Some people have bumper stickers on their car that reads: I’d Rather be Sailing. What would your bumper sticker read? I’d Rather Be…
I have two bumper stickers on my truck. One says: “Subduction Leads to Orogeny.” The other one says: “Member of the Ladies Sewing Circle and Terrorist Society.” That covers all of the bases I think.
8) Tell us one thing people don’t usually know about you.
I have a master’s degree in Geology, and I have climbed the highest 100 peaks in Colorado.
9) In high school, you would have been considered the person most likely to… Leave the nest looking for something different to do with my life.
10) What is your favorite Moab activity?
Hiking, rafting in our duckies, looking for rock art, attending concerts and plays, going for coffee.
11) Tell us your favorite non-Moab place to visit.
Most anywhere in the west, or the world – traveling put things in perspective and makes us realize that it’s a big world out there and we are just one small part of it.
12) Where can the best cup of coffee in town be found?
Red Rock Bakery or Moab Coffee Roasters
13) What do you consider your greatest achievement in life?
My two children – they both turned out great.
14) If you were president, what’s the first thing you’d do to make life better in America?
In my imaginary exalted world, I’d fire all of Congress and lobbyists, and bring people on board who realize it’s going to take compromise if we are going to balance the budget and get anything done for the good of this country and its people.
15) What superhero power would you most like to have?
The ability to heal sickness with a touch.
16) If you could be an animal, what would it be? Why?
A cat. They are independent, affectionate and with the right owners, have a great life. That’s the key – finding the right people to belong to.
17) What is your all-time favorite movie?
“Hopscotch” with Walter Matthau. Guess I’m dating myself.
18) And your all-time favorite book?
“Anything” by Helen MacInnes. Also, more recently “Rowing to Latitude” by Jill Fredston and “Grand Obsession” by Elias Butler and Tom Myers.
19) If you could have dinner with anyone, living or dead, who would it be? Why?
Georgia O’Keefe. She was a woman way ahead of her time and I think she would be very interesting to talk to.
20) What is your life philosophy?
Be kind, keep moving, stay involved, love your spouse and children, enjoy your friends, don’t get uptight about things you can’t control or change and don’t sweat the small stuff (it’s all small stuff).
20 Questions is featured weekly to introduce a local community member. E-mail Meredith at mereditharndt@yahoo.com if you, or someone you know, should answer our questions.
