Big Sky Country

Arriving in Bozeman we picked up our rental car and drove to our cabin to meet the owners.  It was a 150 year old historically restored cabin called the Bannack. It was tastefully decorated and felt very welcoming with all the comforts of home. The temps during our stay ranged from the upper 40’s to the mid 80’s. Ron, one of the owners was quite the character and a expert on almost all subjects.  We started most morning with a discussion with Ron on the front porch and learned a new Montana term, 

NAVIP- newly arrived very important person! Ron’s wife Kate was a talented quilter and her work filled the cabin.

During our week stay we celebrated Dale’s 79th birthday with a soak at Chios Hot Springs, a drive along the Yellowstone River, dinner and a yummy dessert in Livingston at Montana’s Rib & Chop. I did manage to get him to take some photos to remember this special day!

I especially enjoyed the early morning visits from a group of mule deer bucks.  They would arrive after daybreak and then right before sunset for a drink out of the lake!  We also had a few does with fawns visit during the day.

Other highlights of our trip were a visit to the Bleu Horses, a beautiful artist renditions of a group of wild horses enjoying the native grasses of Montana. The 39 horse sculptures are on a hillside outside Three Forks, Montana.  A special treat was a visit to the Sedan Cemetery, a rustic old cemetery with million dollar views.  Especially intriguing was a cowboy hat formed from old barbed wire hanging on the sign.  Just like a cowboy put it there before he had eternal peace and rest.

We decided to pay a visit to Ted Turners, 14,000 acre Flying D Ranch outside of Bozeman.  The National Park Service maintains a road through the ranch with a picnic area at the end.  We had hoped to see Turner’s massive herd of bison, but didn’t spot any!  Planning a picnic lunch, we found a table in the shade of some trees and spread our stuff out to enjoy.  I realized I forgot something in the car and headed to get it, when a bull bison walks out of the brush near our car.  It was just a perfect memory for our picnic.

Another stop was at the Soldiers Chapel near Big Sky, Montana, a beautiful little church with a large picture window behind the altar. The chapel was built to honor those that fought and died in WWII.

We had a great week in Montana, saw a million bales of hay, and loved the big blue sky country!