As you arrive in Montana, you are struck with the endless nature. Mountains in the distance, plains that sway with the wind. It is true ranch country, as far as the eye can see, and that’s just where you’re headed. Your hosts welcome you with the rugged hospitality of authentic wrangles. The afternoon is just a taste of the adventures to come. You are introduced to your beautiful horse. Perhaps it’s been a while since you last rode, and the western saddle has it’s quirks. But with some patience, you gain command of your horse and now you’re ready for the fun part: rope trips, cattle driving and, of course, the biggest prize of all: riding on the open field.
It’s an early morning, such is life at the ranch. After a hearty breakfast and some rather strong coffee, such is coffee at the ranch, you head out to the stable to saddle your horse. Perhaps you practise what you learned yesterday on a closed pen. The extra time with your horse strengthens the bond between the two of you. Today you are heading out on an adventure. You ride your horse on a trail that leads to a mountain pass once traversed by Louis and Clark. The Grand Tetons are in sight. This is without a doubt, one of the finest horse trails on Earth. As you return to the ranch, you are very proud of yourself and of your horse. Especially because there is a stallion on the round pen that is uncouth and wild! How nice your horse seems in comparison. There is a man inside the pen with the untamed horse. It seems like a very dangerous thing to do, to say the least. Yet the man is in control. You’ve heard of horse whisperers before, but you thought it was mostly folklore. However, the cowboys of the Great American West have learned to speak with horses without the whip, and they tame them with gentleness. The horse whisperer lets you know many of the principles behind his art. “Would you like to try?” It’s exhilarating. As the horse rears and bucks you think what have you gotten yourself into. But with the guidance of the horse whisperer, you soon gain command of the horse… without touching it, without riding it, just with your voice and your movements. It’s like you’ve found you can do magic.
A new day dawns —early— and the coffee is just as strong as it was yesterday. Today you’re going into Yellowstone to track grey wolves. These impressive animals inspire dread and admiration, they are ambivalent. However, research has shown they are vital to the ecosystem, and much of the splendour of Yellowstone is due to these lovers of the moon. Your guide is a field biologist who knows the movements and habits of the pack inside out. Words do a poor job of describing the feeling of seeing a grey wolf in proximity. Males can weight up to 80 kg, and the pack moves with deadly synchronicity. They move like… spirits. After your adventure with the beasts of Yellowstone, it’s time to have a bit of easygoing fun. Blueflower has arranged for you a private terrace where you can enjoy the Old Faithful Geysers.
As you leave Montana and your flight takes off, the beauty, the cowboys and the animals all fade into what some call “flyover country”. You have discovered a world that is better reflected in the novels of Jack London, in the writings of Thoreau, even in the angsty narratives of Jon Krakauer. Now you can understand this obsession with the west, and freedom.
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