Hi Friends,
How is your summer going? Do you have a special, big trip planned? Or, maybe a small, side trip?
Jeff and I recently pulled off a side trip to the Ranches at Belt Creek, Montana. I say “pulled off” because we booked and canceled so many times it was a miracle that it transpired.
We purchased the trip at a horse rescue auction a couple years ago.
(Quick plug: The same auction will be held this year on September 15. Check out details here, especially if you’re a horse enthusiast.)
Because we canceled the ranch trip more than once, there came a point where we thought the trip was a wash, a donation at best. We even almost bailed out while on the way there, in Salt Lake City.
Our “host” hadn’t made contact with us (given the wrong cell number) and we were skittish by having a lack of details.
While waiting in SLC we inquired about getting our bags off the plane and vacaying in Utah!
In a matter of seconds we had a Utah itinerary:
Drive 3 hours south to Richfield, Utah (parents used to live there)
Then, to Provo, UT to see friends
Check out Deer Valley
But, the host made contact at the very last minute and we journeyed to Great Falls, MT as planned.
The clubhouse and cabin accommodations at RBC are an authentic representation of cowboy, huntsman and western outdoor life. Personally, I was right at home with all of it. Secluded mountain homes, buffalo, mountain lions, antlers, horses, guns, trucks, Cherry Cream Soda, a 3-legged dog were all my dad’s favorite things in life. There was even a waitress, Jan, who looked, walked and talked eerily similar to dad's sister.
Two pastures of horses spread out over a valley in front of our cabin. The horses (and one donkey) migrated to a vast, adjacent pasture every day. Jenny, the barn manager, herded them on an ATV along with her two dogs. Occasionally, a horse or two would stray but they didn’t go far and Jenny was never worried about them. A rogue horse could stay right where they wandered to. They wouldn’t venture far from the herd regardless of being able to.
One aspect that brought us down to realty was when we got stopped by federal agents at the end of RBC’s private road. The agents were escorting a nuke. Seeing the monster bomb glide by was a bit of a buzzkill but made returning to Atlanta a little easier.
If you live a hectic, big-city life I recommend the Ranches at Belt Creek. The atmosphere, terrain, hospitality and accommodations were a quiet get-away from Atlanta. But, it may help if you're a horse lover, cowboy-life fan...or in awe of being close to where many, major weapons are ready to be launched.
Thank you for reading!
Love, Shelley
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