East Glacier Park, Lonesome Dove Ranch, Montana – 10/30/2014

OCTOBER 30, 2014 (Thursday)

 

Woke up to clear skies. A little light fog but not bad. We were eager to get out into it. We had been told by the concierge, Jim, about a relatively easy but beautiful hike. He gave us a map and showed us pictures of what it was like and where it was. We were wanting to use our new walking sticks and headed for the Two Medicine area to the trail.  What Jim forgot to mention was how far it was (or we got lost). We ran out of time since we were supposed to catch the van at Meadow Lake Resort for our dinner reservation tonight at the Lonesome Dove Bison and Guest Ranch at 3:30 PM.

The hills wore the clouds like a snug cap.
The hills wore the clouds like a snug cap.
Cold but pretty.
Cold but pretty.
The clouds broke up and we saw the beautiful mountains.
The clouds broke up and we saw the beautiful mountains.

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Went past East Glacier.
Went past East Glacier.
Went north at Browning, we were interested in the museum but it appeared closed.
Went north at Browning, we were interested in the museum but it appeared closed.

 

 

 

All the conifers disappeared and high plains took over.
All the conifers disappeared and high plains took over.
We started spotting glaciers.
We started spotting glaciers.

 

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We were getting nervous about the time and ended up turning around on the road down to Two Rivers – a road that looked like it was ready to fall into the canyon. Exciting. We drove back to the little town called Browning, a Blackfoot Indian town. We stopped and had a little bite to eat at a taco place called Taco John’s. What was fascinating to me were all the stray dogs, mostly mommy dogs with a puppy or two, running around the town. I hope they’re okay.  There were so many.

High above Avalanche Lake we took a few pictures and turned around.  We regretted making the dinner reservations.
High above Avalanche Lake we took a few pictures and turned around. We regretted making the dinner reservations.
Beautiful country.
Beautiful country.
Went to Browning for a light lunch.  Felt like we were in Rarotonga again, dogs everywhere.
Went to Browning for a light lunch. Felt like we were in Rarotonga again, dogs everywhere.

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We got back to our home just barely in time to brush our teeth, go to the bathroom, and walk down to the bus that was going to take us to the Lonesome Dove Bison and Guest Ranch for dinner. Our driver, Tom, was quite the character. Looked like a cowboy from Montana (originally from California). He also picked up two other ladies, Wanda and Rhonda, from Mississippi, visiting here in another area of the resort. Really enjoyed talking with them and getting to know them a little bit, and talked to Tom and hearing his stories.  The drive to the ranch was almost an hour.

Not sure what I was expecting at the Lonesome Dove Bison and Guest Ranch, but it wasn’t what we got. What we got was a real Southern type hospitality. The host, Hal, greeted us and then showed us around the ranch – his buffalo, turkeys, etc.

Our bus to the Lonesome Dove Ranch.
Our bus to the Lonesome Dove Ranch.

 

 

 

 

Covered wagon at the ranch.
Covered wagon at the ranch.
Really like the dog poster in the window.
Really like the dog poster in the window.
This sign took on much greater meaning after we learned all that they do here.
This sign took on much greater meaning after we learned all that they do here.

Told us a little bit about himself and his life, then answered questions. Nice guy. He then took us into his home, where we were offered drinks and talked more. His wife, Sharron, is a fireball and does so many things. They’re a fascinating couple. Don’t know how they find time to sleep. They have the ranch, their bed and breakfast, their dinner and horse rides, a gift shop, and then they ship their homemade items to many different places. Like I said – exhausting but fascinating.

Hal with his buffalo.
Hal with his buffalo, pretty woman looking on.
These animals are huge.  Couldn't imagine hunting them with a spear from horseback.
These animals are huge. Couldn’t imagine hunting them with a spear from horseback.

 

The smaller one is a young bull that Hal sold and ships out in the morning.
The smaller one is a young bull that Hal sold and ships out in the morning.
The bull.  Hal was talking about how the fence is more a suggestion than a barrier.
The bull. Hal was talking about how the fence is more a suggestion than a barrier.
Glad he had lots of treats.
Glad he had lots of treats.

 

 

 

 

Can run 10 miles and hit top speeds of 44 mph, way faster and longer than a horse.
Can run 10 miles and hit top speeds of 44 mph, way faster and longer than a horse.
The ranch house.
The ranch house.
Our driver Tom.
Our driver Tom.

Once inside we got to meet their dog and cat. Such a warm feeling and welcoming home. They had a really nice couple from Idaho Falls staying at their bed and breakfast who joined us in the living room for conversation before dinner. They were on their way home after having lived in Canada for two years.  Once dinner was ready we went into their dining room. Lovely. Again, felt I was at a friend’s home enjoying a meal with good friends. Great food – pork, green beans, fresh bread, baked potatoes, a huckleberry/plum spread for the pork. Delicious. After dinner we got a fresh huckleberry crumb cake. We were all so stuffed. Wonderful. Such a great evening. Really, really enjoyed it.

Not cold enough for a fire tonight.
Not cold enough for a fire tonight.
A saddle from 1906.
A saddle from 1906.
A nice dog.
A nice dog.
In keeping with the ranch themes.
In keeping with the ranch themes.

 

Good grief, I knew she was taking my picture.  I thought for sure I had a big smile on.  No wonder she calls me grumpy.
Good grief, I knew she was taking my picture. I thought for sure I had a big smile on. No wonder she calls me grumpy.  (Michael enjoying Moose Drool beer.)
Edie enjoyed her glass of wine and really enjoyed the custom wine glass.
Edie enjoyed her glass of wine and really enjoyed the custom wine glass.
I was so delighted that Edie asked if they had Moose Drool beer and they did.  A recommendation from Beth, very good.
I was so delighted that Edie asked if they had Moose Drool beer and they did. A recommendation from John Christian, very good.

 

 

 

 

Wanda, Rhonda and pretty woman.  This was our dinner table.  The conversation was so nice I totally spaced on taking pictures.
Wanda, Rhonda and pretty woman. This was our dinner table. The conversation was so nice I totally spaced on taking pictures.
Hal and Sharron putting the final touches on dinner.
Hal and Sharron putting the final touches on dinner.
A+++ dessert, real huckleberries, no blueberries.
A+++ dessert, real huckleberries, no blueberries.

Tom got us home around 8:00 PM. We are still stuffed. That was our wonderful day. Hope yours was great!