Lone Mountain Ranch

In August my sweet husband and I celebrated our ten year wedding anniversary. Wow! Ten years. Where did the time go? With three major moves, two children and one on the way, it is easy to say “it feels like just yesterday…”, but, we’ve covered a lot of ground in ten years. Originally I thought we would take a big trip over to Europe – but then baby boy #3 decided it was his time to join our family. So, we decided to stay close to home, and took a trip over to Big Sky to check out Lone Mountain Ranch, a historic Montana guest ranch on the banks of the North Fork Creek.

Anytime I get to take a road trip through my native state, I am always in awe of it. The Missouri and Yellowstone Rivers, The mountains that open up to grand valleys with cattle and buffalo grazing in them. That Big Sky. It truly is the treasure state and everyone that knows me, knows that I am pretty damned proud to be 5^th generation strong and a member of the “Sons and Daughters of the Montana Pioneers”. I always love getting to visit properties that have historic pasts like Lone Mountain Ranch. So when my friend Jon Makhmaltchi of J.MAK Hospitality was promoting the ranch on Facebook, I was excited to learn more about this property in my own back yard!

We were warmly welcomed in the main lodge and then shown to the “Bald Eagle” cabin - into what my husband calls “the perfect cabin”. Simple and rustic, it was the original bath house when it was a private ranch in the 1920’s, but has since been renovated into a one room cabin with a queen bed, wood stove, rocking chair, desk and a full bath. It was perfect for the weekend. No TV or modern distractions, although wifi was available.

Included in rates are three meals daily, horseback riding six days a week, naturalist led hikes, a canoe trip, a Yellowstone National Park tour, mountain biking, Outdoor Youth Adventures Program, BBQ’s, evening entertainment and a complimentary shuttle on the weekly check in/ check out day.The Northwest corner of Yellowstone Park is only 20 miles from the ranch and where many of the ranch’s naturalist hikes and guided fly fishing trips take place. All day tours enter the Park in West Yellowstone which is 45 miles away.

 

We headed over to the dining lodge for lunch before heading out to explore. Sitting outside on the deck, looking out at the property and cabins, you cannot help but feel like THIS is what you would expect out of a summer vacation in Montana. Young children playing games and chasing each other around the lawn, the whole atmosphere emitting a very authentic camp-like feel. Fresh Rocky Mountain air accompanying an amazing lunch, and we were off to a great start.

That evening I was treated to a gourmet festival of flavors and new foods I had not yet tried. The pictures here are worth a million words, and the whole experience was wonderful. A big thanks to Chef Nick Steen and his kitchen. I’m always delighted when the chef himself (or herself) come out from the kitchen to present the courses, and I so appreciated it all!!!  

 

Ty's luscious rib-eye

The next day we hiked to Ousel Falls, an easy pregnant lady hike of just 1.6 miles roundtrip from the parking lot. The trail is a geologist's playground of shale and other ancient ocean floor evidence that follows the South Fork of the West Fork of the Gallatin River to Ousel Falls. There were numerous pockets in the river that begged to be swam in, and I was disappointed I forgot to wear my swimming suit. Next time!

Upon our return we did what married couples of 2.5 kids do when they get a couple of days away. We took a nap. And it was glorious. That night dinner was to be served at The Pavillion. A good ‘ol western BBQ… that I had to skip. Only one problem with this whole trip... *I* have been a huge Nancy this pregnancy. My appetite is pretty much nonexistent, and when I can eat, I’m like a French woman; I take three bites and am STUFFED. And unfortunately meat especially sets me off – so because of that alone – I am going to HAVE to come back to Lone Mountain Ranch to experience their famed winter sleigh ride dinners, and actually be able to enjoy the wonderful food that was so creatively crafted.

Our entire stay was just what we were looking for. Relaxing and quiet. We broke the “unplugged vacation” rule at night and watched a few episodes of “Nashville” that we were catching up on. Ty got up every morning at 6:00am and spent a few hours on the river, at “his church”, and I got to sleep in, a sweet luxury in itself when you have two young boys at home.

A big thanks to my mom and dad for watching the boys for the weekend. Another HUGE thank you to J.MAK Hospitality, Paul Robertson and the entire staff at Lone Mountain Ranch. We had a wonderful weekend and I look forward to visiting again. If you are looking for a vacation reminiscent of the “good ‘ol days” under a glorious Montana Big Sky, with friendly people and something to offer everyone, then Lone Mountain Ranch is your ticket to paradise. Ask me for more details on rates if you are interested in booking.

The Centennial Inn

Recently I had the wonderful opportunity to visit a very exclusive Montana property. Unique in its history, luxury accommodations as well as prime location. The Centennial Inn is located on 13 private acres on the Yellowstone River outside of Livingston, Montana. Once part of the 1964 Montana Centennial Train that traveled the country promoting tourism for the state of Montana, this train car has been tricked out into an incredible two bedroom luxury home on The Yellowstone River.

A trip planned to celebrate my mom’s 71^st birthday, this would be a special stay for her as she was actually the head entertainer for the Montana Centennial Train. Miss Kitty Ann Quigley entertained countless amounts of people that would gather to hear and see the wonders of the treasure state. She even had the opportunity to sing for President Johnson when the train made it to the New York’s World Fair. I am obviously very biased, but even those that don’t know my mom well, will tell you she was Montana’s sweetheart and has always made a huge impression on people wherever she went; she still does.

On the way over to Livingston we stopped in downtown Bozeman to do some window shopping, gambling and have cocktails and lunch. Downtown Bozeman is a vibrant glimpse into the old west, with eclectic and neat stores, excellent dining options and home to quite possibly my favorite cocktail of all time. The “f.g.c.” at Plonk. An acronym for “(Expletive) Good Cocktail” – it is a refreshing martini of house infused ginger vodka and muddled basil. Even the virgin version was heaven.

After a couple of hours exploring downtown Bozeman we jumped back in the car and headed down the road to Livingston. Quintessentially west, framed by the Absaroka Mountain Range, Livingston is a classic picture of Montana.

After some more gambling and walking around downtown, we headed the 4 miles down the road to check out our digs for the next two days. A code operated private gate opens up to a large field bordered by a beautiful grove of dancing aspen trees with The Centennial Inn sitting pretty like a picture in the middle. At this point I am going to let the pictures do the talking J

 
ALL ABOARD THE CENTENNIAL INN!!!!!!

I think the thing that was said most by Susie, myself and my mom as well as all of our husbands that came to visit us for the day was “I could live here!!!”, and it was so true. The Centennial Inn evokes a cozy feeling of home and comfort. It is perfectly appointed with antique furniture and luxury details, like the huge shower that doubles as a hot tub size soaking tub. The kitchen is fully equipped with a gas stove and there are even laundry facilities tucked smartly behind a pocked door in the hallway.

The 13 acres that The Centennial Inn sits on was immaculately groomed and so beautiful to explore. The aspen trees had just leafed out for spring, and the Yellowstone River was swollen and muddy (much to my fly fishing husbands disdain) with spring run-off just starting.  I counted at least four sweet bunnies hopping around the wheels of the train quite a few times too. The Centennial Inn is truly a slice of Big Sky heaven, and would be a wonderful option for a fun weekend get-away, or for guests wanting to stay close to the park. Please contact me for more details on how you can set up a stay in this historic luxury train car.