Odessa-A Great Pack Mule

It is with great sadness that I must report we lost a long time friend and worker for us last week. Odessa, our personal pack mule and then a Covered Wagon Ranch mule, passed away from old age last week. She did not suffer and she was able to cross over up on Raspberry Butte, munching her last bit of fresh green grass enjoying the beautiful countryside.

She was a great mule. Back in the late 1990′s, while I still owned and operated my home infusion business in Montana, I would run across a lot of hardship cases of people who became ill and required my services at home but had no health insurance. Such was the case of an old, retired hunting outfitter who didn’t have insurance nor the money to pay for his prescriptions. After some conversation, I learned he still had his mule string from his outfitting days. He asked if I would be willing to accept one of his mules as payment for our services. Well, I knew darn well that this wouldn’t cover the cost of his home I.V. treatments, but I said I would do that. I knew that J.T. loves to use mules for his pack animals as opposed to a horse, and we only had the one 14 hand small mule named “Shorty”. Always wanting to please my beloved partner, I told this man that I would take Odessa home in exchange for payment in full. So back to Bozeman we went.

When J.T. saw her, his jaw dropped. She wasn’t exactly the tall, dark mule he was looking for. She was short, sorrel in color, and her belly was so large it made a burn barrel look like a soda can. In fact, her description was the “short, squatty mule”. How was she ever going to pack his gear and be able to walk down a trail? What did I know? To quote a common phrase I use: “Hey, I’m just girl from Joi-see”.

The first time he took her hunting with him was a real treat. J.T. was very proud of the fact that he just shot a beautiful six point bull elk (in fact, it’s the mount that’s hanging in the lodge to this day) and he needed to pack out the horns back to the trailhead. Well, she didn’t want any part of this. No matter how hard he tried, he could not mount those horns on her back. He stepped back. Thought a minute. Then remembered he heard somewhere that maybe he could blindfold her and she would take the cargo. So he took one of his camo t-shirts (quite frankly, I think the smell of this piece of clothing was far worse than any elk carcass) and blindfolded her. Voila!

Not only was her belly bigger than a barrel, but she loved to talk as she carried her load down the trail. She knew the exact size of her cargo on either side and could maneuver herself through trees and brush, no matter where she went. She was amazing.

Odessa served us well, and continued to do so once she started her job at the Covered Wagon Ranch. Many a pack trip took her up into camp.

She had a great life and was well cared for. She will be sorely missed.

In honor of Odessa, as with all our outstanding herd when they cross to the other side, “this one’s for you Odessa”

“Ode To Max” (a poem found in the Big Timber Pioneer one day)

“It was the best two hundred dollars I ever spent, Brett said-

On the day we found out that at the trail head Max lay dead.

This two hundred dollar horse had definitely earned his keep

We all prayed to God that he passed on while in blissful sleep.

No purebred Quarter Horse, thoroughbred, nor paint was he

He was of mixed blood with no fancy papers nor pedigree.

He had never dragged a calf to a branding fire nor ran on a track.

But many a precious load he had hauled into the wild and back.

He was honest and kind and never even shied that I ever saw.

The greenest rider or the smallest child would be Max’s draw.

He hauled guests for a living up and down the wilderness trail.

He never moved a muscle when a client fainted over his tail.

He endured being bridled and cinched by well-intentioned rookies

Who offered him a reward of carrots, apples, and Oreo cookies.

Hauling overweight off balanced clients could drive a horse insane.

But even if Max could have spoken, he would never complain.

He hauled dudes and dudettes of every shape and size.

And they all fell in love with his thick mane and brown eyes.

He crossed many hills, mountains, and streams.

Helped fulfill lots of hunter’s elk shooting dreams.

It’s hard to find a horse as honest as Max.

All the rider did was sit up there and relax.

So here’s to Max and the great dude horses who have gone before…

The trusty steeds who went to pasture but live in our hearts evermore.”

Thank you Odessa,

debi

I realize that owning the ranch has definitely given me some amazing situations and tons of material to write about. The people I meet and get to know are fabulous. Every one of them gives me a gift of some sort, as long as I take the time to listen. There are some truly amazing people out there with hearts of gold and bigger than the universe. I’m blessed.

Then I get these experiences that I just have to laugh about. Before I start, I must give a little background on myself. Although a health care professional by training, I picked a profession that minimized patient contact but still allowed me to help-pharmacy. So when it comes to things like nausea and vomiting, it’s pretty low on my list of things I can tolerate. It even started for me way back in grade school. I distinctly remember sitting at my desk in First Grade when Roger P. just finished his lunch, drank his milk, then politely threw up on my back. Nice. I was also blessed with a terrible gag reflex. The doctors don’t take my word for it, and when they want to look at my sore throat with a wooden stick, they don’t get very far. It’s a terrible affliction.

So now that you know this about me, you’ll understand my stress when one of our guests asked me to take her to Bozeman one Sunday morning because she thought she had come down with a stomach bug and really needed to get to town to see a doctor. Great. Was there really nobody else in the lodge who could make this trip? I searched the ranch high and low but there was nobody to be found that could take my place. She knew I was taking another guest back to town for an airport run so asked if she could come along. Of course I always wanted to help her, it was just the fact that I didn’t know how I was going to get through the hour long drive back to town. She said she had been ill all night and couldn’t keep anything in her stomach and would I mind???

So in the car we go. She sat in the back seat with a trash can and a box of kleenex as we proceeded up the canyon. Little did I know that our other guest, Tara, suffered from the same affliction as I did when it came to nausea. So there we were. I watched her in the back seat as every ten minutes or so she proceeded to get sick. At times I had to pull over and ask her to stay outside for a minute or two to see if the fresh air would help. I thought this journey would never end.

Tara and I tried to divert the situation. The radio was as loud as I could possibly tolerate it. Tara and I nervously chatted with each other as we tried to avoid the noises coming from the back seat. Our skin color changed from a rosy pink from the cold weather to a pale gray for each mile we drove up the canyon. Eyes twitched and darted from nervousness, wondering if we were going to be able to make the trip. Sweat beads started to form on my brow and I felt that my time was dwindling as to how far I could actually make it. Knuckles were white and firmly gripped around the steering wheel. My posture was completely erect and forward so I wouldn’t even touch the back of my seat. My mother would have been proud, but she would have still told me that I should do something with those bangs and get the hair out of my face. Some things just never change.

As we entered the mouth of the canyon, I knew that I could finally step on the gas and go faster and faster to town. I prayed the highway patrol was enjoying coffee and doughnuts somewhere and allow me to move at mock speed to the hospital. Our guest was holding her own in the back seat, but I feared I might add the element of motion sickness if I traveled any faster-and this I did not need.

We rounded the corner and sped to the hospital (she didn’t need a hospital but it was Sunday and the ER was her only option). I’m embarrassed to admit this, but I must be honest. I generally consider myself a very caring individual, but given the situation I had to do what was in the best interest of all parties involved, and that included myself. I pulled up to the ER doors, proceeded to a rolling stop, and asked her if she wouldn’t mind that I don’t go in with her. I  dropped her off in the parking lot. I can’t remember if I actually stopped, but I know she got out of the car. I know. Pretty cruel, but we made it.

Tara and I looked at each other and heaved a sigh of relief as we sped out of that parking lot as quickly as possible. Our guest was fine. Just a little dehydrated. They medicated her to stop the nausea and she was fine by that evening. Tara safely made her flight and never contacted us again. I didn’t charge her for the transport. And for myself, you won’t be seeing me do an airport run again

Mama Fox

This is an amazing story and one that you may or may not believe-but it’s true. The business of dude ranching is so much more than horses and ranching and wildlife and spectacular country. It’s really the business of people-but only if you take the time to watch, sit and listen….and believe.

This family (unnamed) visited the ranch about 3 years ago. A family of four: mom, dad, daughter and son. They came to ride and they specifically came to book a pack trip in the back country in our wilderness camps. It was August. We were long into our season and starting to get tired. And we were busy. If the truth be known,  the wranglers were really struggling to make the trip. These pack trips are a lot of work for the crew and the ranch. Packing mules, preparing meals, being away for 3 days, etc. It’s a wonderful experience for the guests, as well as the crew, but it’s the preparation that’s overwhelming before it even starts.

This family was insistent on taking this trip and we just couldn’t even figure out why-but it was extremely important that they go on this trip. So off they go-3 wranglers, 4 mules and the family of four. Gone for 3 days. On the third day out and back to the ranch, they ride over a 10,000 foot mountain, with 360 degrees of spectacular views. you’re literally on top of the world. Once they reach this point, they soon return into radio contact with the ranch. We always anxiously await their call to make sure everything went okay.

Our worst fears are realized. The call comes in. Several of the horses and mules escaped the hot wiring fencing that night and one of the wranglers was out there rounding them up. He had to stay behind with 3 of the family members while they packed up and saddled to head out. Our lead wrangler and packer, experienced in wilderness certification and first aid, called in to say that the mom was sick the whole trip and she was bringing her out. She didn’t want to wait any longer since it was going to take a while to pack everybody out. Nothing serious, but mom just didn’t feel right the whole trip and really needed to get back to the ranch. At least it wasn’t anything serious like a medical emergency. She could ride out on her own and was feeling up to the task.

Upon her return, I went to her cabin and did some basic vital signs: blood pressure, temperature glucose level, etc. Her vitals were very low, including her blood sugar. I reviewed her symptoms with her (in my previous life I was a clinical pharmacist and somewhat knowledgeable about health care issues) and got a background on her medical history. Now this information is taken prior to any pack trip, but sometimes we only get the information that is immediately relevant from the family. In this case, the mom had been diagnosed with early stage cancer five years before but had been in remission for a long time. I was concerned.

All moved along smoothly. Mom felt much better after she rested. The rest of the family, herd and crew all returned as planned, and everybody was happy and showed up for dinner that night. We were all “happy campers”. When the family left, I asked them to please keep in touch and let me know how she feels, and strongly encouraged her to visit her oncology doctor when she got home. Another “satisfied” customer.

Unfortunately, as I feared, when she got home she discovered her cancer returned and she went through a very difficult year. Her prognosis was poor. It was very sad to follow. Her husband told me that this pack trip was their last trip together as a family and it was extremely important they did this. He kept a picture of the mountains and wildflowers that they got to experience on their trip and put it in her hospital room to always bring a smile to her face and remember how much fun they had. This was their “bucket list” and we had fulfilled their dream.

It was almost a year from that trip when Mom passed away. It broke my heart to hear that. At the same time this was going on, a mother fox had just had kits right behind the ranch and she started hanging around the cabins.

She was definitely a wild animal. Not a pet by any stretch of the imagination. But she was friendly. It wasn’t like you could go up and pet her, but she stayed around the ranch, and specifically around the cabins. Ironically, around the cabin where the family had stayed just a year before. JT and I have never seen a fox at the ranch. And after this experience, we have yet to see another one. It was quite unusual and somewhat eerie how close she stayed to the cabin.

This mother fox very clearly wanted to stay around the ranch, but just for the period of time that paralleled the passing away of the mom from the family. Now here’s the “rest of the story”. The last name of the family (and I have permission to tell this story) is “Fox”. We have never seen her again, even years later.

So what did I learn from this amazing story that still gives me chills even today. I firmly believe that our guest returned to the ranch for one last visit. This experience meant more to her and her family more than I ever realized. I’ve also learned to understand that these trips to the ranch from our guests go far beyond a simple vacation. It’s a drink for the soul. A family sharing a common bond. A chance to experience life away from the hustle and bustle of every day living. It’s not a reservation-it’s a dream come true. But only if you see beyond the business.

I love this family. They will always be in my heart and I’m grateful for the lessons they’ve taught me. I know you’re reading this, and I want you to know just how special you all are. Thank you.

debi

Olivia Loves Her Horse

The day has finally arrived when Olivia turned six and she gets to go out on her own. Now she can ride with Mom, Dad and sister Madeline and not have to stay behind. I’ve never seen a happier child! Here she is on her horse, “Captain Safety” getting ready for her first ride at the trail head.  It’s a big day for the whole family.

Before she takes off on her first ride, she is given a thorough orientation on her horse (as do all guests at the ranch).

I’m proud to say that Olivia did extremely well that week they were here. She went on every ride that her family did, including half day rides as well as full day rides! She finally got to experience the spectacular country that one can only see on horseback. Our rides take us throughout the Gallatin National Forest, the Lee Metcalf Wilderness, and Yellowstone National Park.

There were times she was pretty tuckered out, but she held her own with the best of them. Here at the Covered Wagon Ranch, our horseback riding is our niche. We’re a small guest ranch, with only ten historic log cabins and a maximum capacity limited to only 24 guests. We keep our riding groups small and according to ability. At the very most, we have five guests to a wrangler and the guests get to participate in where and how long they want to ride each day. With over a million acres of forest and Park to ride through, our guests never get bored. If anything, it keeps them coming back for more!

And here’s the exciting conclusion. Mia and John’s story will continue. They are now expecting another baby!! We’ll get to experience this whole cycle all over again. That’s dude ranching!

A Family Grows Up At Our Ranch-Backpacking The Baby

So let’s continue our story about Mia, John, Madeline and Olivia at the ranch. Olivia was still too young to do much more than stay with Mom and Dad. They had to take turns going on rides since you have to be six to ride out on the trails. Here, John is hiking her up to Benson’s Point while Mia and Madeline are riding. The youngsters still get to enjoy the horses and are ponied around the ranch.

As she “grew up” on the ranch each year that the family visited, she loved being around the horses, which is pretty common for the kids at our ranch. They feel like the horse is their own and spend time petting them and grooming them.

The older she gets the more she realizes she wants to be a real cowgirl. Here’s a picture of Olivia as “Cowgirl Fashionista”

Next week, “Olivia Gets To Ride”!

A Family Vacation At A Dude Ranch

 The Dude Rancher’s Association is a wonderful organization that preserves this special way of life and the wonderful environment in which dude ranching takes place.  “Horses, Hats, Hospitality, Heritage, Honesty and Heart” are the core principles of dude ranching. Here at the Covered Wagon Ranch we have the honor of following a family that has been visiting our ranch for several generations, and here is their story…..

Well before our (JT and Debi’s) time, this family from Minnesota has been coming to the ranch. I don’t know how many years in total that Judith and Ken have been visiting us, but I know it goes back there! I can always rely on Judith to tell me a story or two about the ranch from way back when. I love those stories and it helps us continue to get a better understanding of the history of the ranch. As time went on, family members continued to add to the family vacation. Eventually, Mia, Madeline, John and Olivia all started showing up on this annual tradition.  Our story will start pre-Olivia.More time passes and next thing you know, Olivia starts to enter the picture.

This all took place about 7 years ago, just before JT and I got to the ranch.

Next thing you know, Olivia is born! She basically grew up at the ranch and we all got the pleasure of watching her grow. She participated in the cookouts, and got to grow up around the horses. Next week we’ll talk about Olivia growing up at the ranch and when she actually got the opportunity to ride her own horse!

Mia and Olivia Get To Give Special Treats To Their Favorite Dude Horse at the Montana Dude Ranch

I mean, after all, it is the season of Valentine’s Day, isn’t it? And we don’t always have to talk about love between humans. Some of the deepest love we have is for our pets, and here at the Covered Wagon Ranch our guests get the pleasure of realizing that love with their horses. So I thought I would take a few minutes and write about  How To Say “I Love You” to your horse.

To help me along, the February 2012 issue of Horse & Rider has an article on just this topic! On the very last page in the “You Said It” column, they interviewed several horse owners on how they express their affection for their favorite horse. Here are some of those quotes:

“I halter my horses and take them out of their pens to graze in an open field. I bring along a curry comb so I can groom them and tell them what good boys they are” K.P. from Washington…..”I give my mare hugs, pats, scratches behind the ears, and kisses on the nose” L.D. from Ohio…”I give my gelding a carrot, cradle his head in my arms, and stroke his forehead while I tell him what a good boy he is-and how much I love him” D.L. from Colorado…”My horses get neck hugs and chest rubs” K.S. from Michigan….”During a trail ride, I provide a nice stop at the best clover patch in the field” W.C. from Kentucky, and my favorite: “I close my eyes and lean my forehead onto my horses’ necks and talk to them softly while I caress them. My horses hold their heads down and shut their eyes while I do that.” A.L. from Colorado. I think there’s nothing better in this world than the beautiful eyes of a horse, the smell of their hair on their neck, and the sound of leather from a saddle. That says it all.

And remember, it’s not all about us. Thanks to Lyn D. from England for this photo, but our horses love it too! Happy Valentine’s Day from our wonderful herd of horses and for all the love you share with them at the ranch.

Feeling The Love At The Dude Ranch In Montana

“Teddy Rides A Moose” is an actual photograph (not “photo-shopped”) from an old Life Magazine. My nephew Daniel just sent this photo along. One of his classmates at Princeton was doing some research on Roosevelt and came across this very cool picture. The description below the photograph states: “Roosevelt once said, “the conservation of our natural resources and their proper use constitute the fundamental problem which underlies almost every other problem of our natural life” (Photo credit: Bettman/CORBIS) in 1906. I really hope that riding a moose is not an example of the proper use of our natural resources!!

President Roosevelt was an avid outdoors-man and conservationist and one of the leading forces in promoting the United States National Park Services. He was a particular fan of Yellowstone National Park and did a great deal to promote the enhancement, protection and use of the Park.

In 1906, Roosevelt signed the Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities, giving the president the power to officially declare natural and historic sites situated on government land as national monuments.

“It is a pleasure now to say a few words to you at the laying of the corner stone of the beautiful arch which is to mark the entrance to this park. Yellowstone National Park is something absolutely unique in the world so far as I know. Nowhere else in any civilized country is there to be found such a tract of veritable wonderland made accessible to all visitors” . With these few words, President Theodore Roosevelt dedicated the arch that now bears his name, at the North Entrance to Yellowstone National Park, Gardiner, MT on April 24, 1903.

As many of you know, our dude ranch is just 3 miles from the NW boundary of Yellowstone National Park and 35 miles to the West Entrance where you can tour Old Faithful and the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. We are proud of our Concessionaire’s Permit that enables us to take our guests horseback riding in Yellowstone as well.

Horseback Riding at Fawn Pass in Yellowstone National Park

A Dude Horse Perspective of Viewing Wildlife Near Yellowstone National Park

 Do you ever wonder what the horse is thinking when s/he encounters the wildlife out on a ride? It never ceases to amaze me. How come I get spooked but they just do the old “ho hum” deal and move on? I must admit, I’m grateful that this is the response I get!

Our guests love to see the animals when they go out on a ride. Sometimes we chuckle and tell them we’re going to ride where we “set the stage to see the animals” . It’s a real treat to see an elk, a moose, a deer, a wolf, and especially a bear when out on a ride. June is the best month to try and catch sight of one in the wild. As the weather gets warmer, the animals head for higher ground and can only be spotted in the very early morning or late at night. September is also “optimal wildlife viewing time” as well.

Catching a glimpse of Bullwinkle

Moose are really tough to spot and pretty much keep to themselves. They usually have their calves in June as well. We typically have a “resident moose” at the ranch and mom and her baby can be seen around the ranch if you’re lucky.

Mama Moose and Baby Taking In Lunch Viewed right from the Cabin at the Dude Ranch

Wolves are always a topic of conversation around the dude ranch, especially since we are so close to Yellowstone National Park. They have been spotted on the ranch, but on rides as well.

Wolf At The Trailhead

And last, but not least, everyone is always on the hunt for the Grizzly Bear! This past year we had guests who had never seen a bear on their rides, and have been coming to the dude ranch in Montana for years. Well, Boone took them out on a fantastic ride and they saw seven bears in one day!!

A Grizzly Bear Cub Near Yellowstone National Park

Every day is a different experience and so is every month. But I can tell you this-it’s always exciting for both guest as well as wrangler! And even though the horses are pretty much cool, calm and collected, I know they are always happy to head back to the dude ranch for a bite to eat!

A Happy Horse At The End Of The Day