The mountains of the West in the early 1800's attracted many adventurous individuals who sought wealth, solitude, or the opportunity to explore unknown lands. A single man or a married couple had to live a lonely and dangerous life but the rewards greatly outweighed the problems. "A Golden Snowbank" tells of how Hank and Edith Ballinger lived in and loved their home on Thompson's Ridge in the mountains of the Wyoming Territory. Gold and animal furs provided them with a good income. However, leaving and moving to St.Louis for their two children's education turned out to be a mistake.