I remember the first time I was in the state of Montana. It was the summer of 1995, and my wife, Nancy, and I were on a relaxing vacation touring the West. We'd flown from our home in Indiana to Vancouver with plans to make a big circle, stopping at Mount Rainier, Yellowstone, and back to Vancouver Island before returning to Indiana.
After leaving Yellowstone, we headed north to Bozeman, Montana, to catch I-90 back toward Vancouver. Going through Montana wasn't a goal, simply a matter of convenience. However, the more I saw of the state, the more I fell in love with its awesome beauty.
The Right Fit
Two more trips in the following years took me to Montana. My feeling for this state only deepened. Being an avid trail rider, my dream of trail riding in this beautiful place took shape.
The next few years were spent trying to find just the right "fit" for me and my 5-year-old buckskin Quarter Horse, Poco Tigger Tivio ("Buddy"). The right fit wasn't a dude ranch, although one of my trips was to a working cattle ranch. The right fit wasn't camping at a trailhead, either. What I wanted was a place where I could hang my hat in the evening, have greater comfort than a tent, and a place where I could make daily rides out to different types of country. After all, I was setting aside an entire month to ride my dream.
This may sound simple to find. If it is, then I made a difficult task out of it! Certainly, cost was a factor. I wasn't willing to spend $200 per day for 30 days to achieve my dream! As to the camping, my trailer has a dressing room that I've modified to be a weekender-type of living quarters. Not something I wanted to live out of for a month!
Putting everything together, I wanted to find a cabin that I could rent for a month, for a cost that didn't break my budget, and, most of all, great riding from my doorstep. Pretty high expectations!
I wouldn't want anyone to think I spent all my waking hours for the next few years making this search. At the time, I was working as a public-school superintendent, and a little of my time had to go towards those responsibilities. Since I've retired, I've sure learned how a job can get in the way of having a good time!
After much time researching the web and after many e-mails, the list of possibilities was reduced to two. One place was located northwest of Great Falls, and the other near the small town of Dillon. The place in the north was attractive because of its proximity to the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area and the reasonable price. The place near Dillon was attractive because that area also has its own unique beauty. In the end, the north won out over the south.
Off to Montana!
Plans started coming together, prices were negotiated due to a lengthy stay, and reservations were made. By the end of 2004, the trip was set for July, 2005. I could start counting the days before my dream would be realized.
What is that famous quote? Something about the best-laid plans...? Once again, my job got in the way of my dream. My school board determined that because of severe financial problems, we should expedite the closing of two buildings. Facilities would be moved during, you guessed it, July 2005. My dilemma became either to change the reservation, if possible, or cancel the trip. Making a long story short, changing the reservation was possible, and the trip was still on.
It was set; I'd leave for Montana on June 2, 2005, and return to Indiana by July 1. The excitement mounted as that date approached. Finally, 4:00 a.m., June 2, arrived, and I headed out the driveway on my long-awaited adventure. Buddy in tow, we were off!
I'd planned a big day for the first day -832 miles with a stop at a horse motel near Chamberlain, South Dakota. The second day would be a shorter leg to another motel just outside Billings, Montana. The last day would be the easy one, just 250 miles.
Everything went great in the beginning. The stopovers were excellent, and both had available lodging for me, as well as Buddy. I really liked staying in the same place I kept my horse, as this made his care even easier. Buddy is a trouper, as well, and didn't seem to mind the long hours going down the interstate. We arrived at our destination on time and on June 4.
