Okay, okay. So, I'm constantly asked if I really did have a "Montana Summer." The answer is. both yes and no. Yes, I did travel to Montana on two separate occasions. But, no, there wasn't a hunky cattleman named Dalton. Darn the luck. :)
Having always lived in the Midwest, I felt I needed to experience Montana and the west for myself, with my own eyes. Because libraries and the internet can only get you so far. For example, I learned the dirt out west is red, compared to our traditional brown dirt; mountain thunderstorms seem monstrous, the gathering clouds so low in the sky with the increased elevation; and lastly, you can drive for miles and miles and not see one good-looking cowboy!
There's a scene in the book where Samantha comments about finding a good song on the radio as they pass through Kansas. This is a prime example of needing to experience some things on your own... because there really weren't any tunes to be found, and as the odometer neared 600 miles for the day, suddenly the sound of my own voice became appealing!
I did take one of my horses with me both times I traveled to Montana. This is a frequently asked question as well. Since I have several horses, it seemed natural. It's a long haul for a horse. The horse I took was quiet and used to being hauled long distances. Believe it or not, they have Bed & Breakfast facilities that cater to people vacationing or traveling with horses. They are called Bed, Breakfast, & Barns and, gosh, do they make life easy. Most of them are "mom and pop" type places. It's kind of like staying over at your grandma's house - your laundry gets done, your horse is treated with extra apples, and damn is the food good!
Having always lived in the Midwest, I felt I needed to experience Montana and the west for myself, with my own eyes. Because libraries and the internet can only get you so far. For example, I learned the dirt out west is red, compared to our traditional brown dirt; mountain thunderstorms seem monstrous, the gathering clouds so low in the sky with the increased elevation; and lastly, you can drive for miles and miles and not see one good-looking cowboy!
There's a scene in the book where Samantha comments about finding a good song on the radio as they pass through Kansas. This is a prime example of needing to experience some things on your own... because there really weren't any tunes to be found, and as the odometer neared 600 miles for the day, suddenly the sound of my own voice became appealing!I did take one of my horses with me both times I traveled to Montana. This is a frequently asked question as well. Since I have several horses, it seemed natural. It's a long haul for a horse. The horse I took was quiet and used to being hauled long distances. Believe it or not, they have Bed & Breakfast facilities that cater to people vacationing or traveling with horses. They are called Bed, Breakfast, & Barns and, gosh, do they make life easy. Most of them are "mom and pop" type places. It's kind of like staying over at your grandma's house - your laundry gets done, your horse is treated with extra apples, and damn is the food good!
Gosh, I don't want to hog the blog. Next time we'll talk about the different ranches I visited and I'll give you some insight in case "That Montana Summer" inspires you to take a trip out west!
Until then,
Sloan Seymour
8 comments:
Hi Sloan, enjoyed your description of your trip to Montana. I've taken a couple camping trips with horses, but never to the Big Sky state. I'd love to go someday...
Thanks for sharing!
BTW: Your horse is beautiful, and pasture too!
~Caroline
Hi Sloan, enjoyed your description of your trip to Montana. I've taken a couple camping trips with horses, but never to the Big Sky state. I'd love to go someday...
Thanks for sharing!
BTW: Your horse is beautiful, and pasture too!
~Caroline
Bed, Breakfast, & Barns?
Who'd have thunk it?
I wonder if anyone is going to start doing that for travelers with dogs.
:)
G.
PS - My thanks to Tracy for directing me to your fun blog!
Mitsi:
Good blog!!! And Beau is beautiful.
Teresa R.
Hi Mitsi!
Although I never stayed at a dude ranch, I'd love to go out west again. Can't wait to hear more about your western adventures. Loved "That Montana Summer!"
Sloan,
Loved the blog. I hope to one day go on an adventure into the wild west! :)
And the horses! OMG -- beautiful... You have 200 acres, right? Can I move in with you? I won't take up much room, I promise -- lol!!
Can't wait for the next one...
What a great blog. I love the idea of Bed, Breakfast, & Barns. Thanks for mentioning that.
I hadn't heard of that twist on the B&B. Your trip sounds marvelous, though. For research, there's absolutely nothing better than "boots on the ground."
Your horse is a cutie. I bet I'm not the only one who'd like to hear more about him.
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